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CD Review: Horlet Bring the Keys of Life and Death

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Horlet

Horlet

Dayton’s Horlet release their debut album, The Keys of Life and Death, a pulverizing blast of death metal slam-dancing your face into the cold concrete. With 17 tracks including four interludes that violate the ear yet make the brain want to hear more, Horlet takes us to ancient Egypt to hear the voices of the gods. We’re also warned of manmade Armageddon, the ancient curses of unknown dark entities and offered knowledge from the Tablets of Thoth.

87c78e47a6bfeaa8541279e68f2e3f87It’s solid, fast Nile-inspired death metal peppered and sprayed with Iron Maiden guitar soloing, a Norse drinking horn full of Amon Amarth inspiration and lyrics from the mysterious mouth of the Egyptian river. Jason Lyons’ vocals spend most of the album in the high pitch demon screech octave with the occasional morbid growling. He spits the acrid carcass over everything giving Egypt, the desert and the ancient Gods a new coat of fresh decay.

Opener “Wings of Aerial” starts blast beating into a guitar chug Viking metal roar. First instrumental interlude “The Fallen” is an enticing mixture of Middle Eastern keys and notes strummed with sitar, samisen and a string quartet. Then death “From the Clouds” comes with its icy frozen chill of Maiden-esque guitar notes.

The Godsmack sounding acoustic “Whisper of Solitude” melds into the building sheet metal buzz-saw guitar riffs of “So Far Away” with Lyons chewing nails on a mourning poem about a lost love/hate manipulative relationship and the emotional poisoning that’s still alluring. “Annabelle’s Curse” is the crunchy, munchy revenge circle pit tune.

“The Visit” breathes the breath of the gods into the speaker with a techno itch and uncertain feeling bleeding into “Taken” as the robotic godlike cyborg invasion cripples mankind.

“He Who Walks the Sands” allures with its seductive sand dance for the Pharaoh’s enjoyment. Then “Gypsy” pulls a Mercyful Fate riff straight out of hell’s ass.

“Those Who Follow the Kings” majesty march across treacherous dunes to do his bidding and please the will of Shu and Ra.

Horlet is a strong macabre mixture of veteran local talent with Lyons and guitarist Seth Mullins formerly of A Rogue’s Sorrow and Hollow Offering, bassist Allen McGowan of The Keep, Glitch and Cell 13. Guitarist Keith Byerman of Freq and the Jam Bandits and drummer Eric Barnes formerly pounded for The End, Leveled, Trioxin, Dead Broke, Darkness Undying and currently plays for King Stench, The Transylvanian HellHounds and Connection Ground. www.horlet.com.

Special Events Indoors and Out Part of Sept. 6 First Friday in Downtown Dayton

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CACD is one of many locations that will display artwork during First Friday.

Warm up for Urban Nights by attending downtown Dayton’s next First Friday, held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. Art exhibits, live music, dinner and drink specials, retail sales, and special events will be featured at a variety of downtown venues.

A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website. Highlights include:

Internationally known artist Robert Walker will display work at Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.).

The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet for two rides this month at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, (220 N. Patterson Blvd.). The first will ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. This month’s route will go through the heart of downtown and tour part of East Dayton.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center (118 N. Jefferson St.) will be exhbiting Music for Teacups: Colagiovanni and Haviland, a selection of video, artist books and original prints by two artists from Athens, Ohio. The gallery will be open until 8 p.m.

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Several restaurants, including Lily’s Bistro pictured here, will offer dining specials and a food truck rally also will be held during First Friday.

Garden Station (509 E. Fourth St.) will be offering an introduction to herbal remedies class at 6 p.m., a compassionate communication workshop at 7 p.m. and live music by Meghna & the Majority at 8 p.m. The Urban Farmer’s Market begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Great Dayton Flood Walk will start at 7 p.m. View vintage photos of the flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and more. $10 per person. Call 937-274-4749 or email [email protected] for required reservations and meeting location.

Synergy Incubators hosts a food truck rally at 200 S. Jefferson St., featuring many popular local food trucks, music, children’s activities, Hope Foundation Motorcycle Raffle, Inside Out 11M Photobooth and a local artisan marketplace.

The Yellow Cab (700 E. Fourth St.) will feature exhibit “The Art of Music,” with artwork created by musicians and inspired by music. University of Dayton professor Al Carrillo will read his poetry, and an open mic will be available for anyone who wants to perform.

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Steel drummer Joseph Glenn, pictured here with saxophonist Tyrone Martin, will again perform on the street during First Friday.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show that airs on Fridays from 8 p.m. to midnight on WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

Taste of the Oregon Festival Takes Over Fifth Street This Sunday

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TasteOfOregon_LogoSample the many things that make the Oregon District one of Dayton’s longest-standing hotspots this Sunday, Aug. 25, during the first Taste of Oregon festival. The event — which features food and drinks, live music, shopping, arts, vintage cars, and a home and garden tour — celebrates the area’s 40th year as a Historic District.

Fifth Street will be closed in the District for the festival, which runs from noon to 7 p.m. Admission to the event is free, and food and drink tickets are $1 each, with food items priced between $3 and $6. The event will highlight the several new District establishments that have opened recently, along with long-time District favorites.

The Menus, a popular band based in Cincinnati, will headline the festival with a set that begins at 4 p.m. Funky G and the Groove Machine will perform from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Yuengling and craft beers, along with nonalcoholic beverages, will be available on the street, in addition to those served in the eateries and taverns.

The Oregon Historic District Society will present a home and garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m., starting at 22 Brown St. (Inn Port D’Vino/Deaf Monty’s Wine). Tickets are $5.

SAMPLING OF THE TASTE OF OREGON MENUS:

Blind Bob’s
Vegetarian Basket
Chicken Wing Basket

Jay’s Seafood
Jay’s Chocolate Mousse
Lobster Mac and Cheese

Lily’s Bistro 
BBQ, Cheddar and Bacon Deviled Eggs
Watermelon Gazpacho
Homemade Lemonade: Watermelon Mint, Cucumber Basil and Classic Flavors

Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery
Vegan and Beef Sloppy Joes & Sliders with a Side of Slaw

Oregon Express
Gourmet Pizza Slices

Salar  Restaurant and Lounge
Marinated Chicken Skewer with Spanish Rice
Fish and Chips
2 Carnitas Tacos (Pork, Rice, Cheese and Lettuce)

Smokin BBQ
BBQ Pork and Chicken

Thai 9
Chicken Spring Rolls
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Shrimp Salad
Coco Shrimp
Thai Tea
Thai Coffee

Trolley Stop
Red Beans and Rice
Organic Keener’s Farm Sliders
Ginger Lemonade

Tumbleweed
Grilled Meatloaf Sandwiches
NY Strip Kabobs

Hog Jam VIII: Another Fun Weekend of Camping and Music

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Eight years ago, Tony Herdman was in a band that was part of the Dayton Battle of the Bands, which was taking place at Canal Street Tavern.  The competition ran throughout the summer, with numerous bands duking it out to win time to record in a local studio.  Herdman’s band reached the finals, but unfortunately losing.  Even though they lost, Herdman noticed the overwhelming support and love from family, friends, and fans of his band.  To show how much he appreciated seeing everyone coming out, he wanted to give back and throw a party for everyone.  So he found a location in Waynesville, and thus began the yearly event Hog Jam.   “We wanted to throw this party for everyone that came out and supported us throughout the summer”, Herdman explains.  “So, we roasted a pig, played some music, and had one of the best times of our lives.  We had a lot of people afterwards mention that we should do it again.”

Throughout the years since the first Hog Jam, Herdman has constantly tried to make the weekend bigger and better this than the previous.  This year, Herdman has enlisted another festival organizer and friend Jim Hamden to help make the eighth installment the best one to date.  “We both work so well together, even though we are completely different people”, said Herdman.  “I am just thrilled that we are actually doing this together, and plan on working together for a long time to come.”

The weekend will also be showcasing artists and bands from all ranges of genres and from the United States.  Some of the bands that will be performing include the local funk/rock fellas over at Magic Jackson to the Dayton version of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Emily and the Lost Cat Ramblers to the rich folk sound of Charlie Tipton Band to Herdman himself.  The music will be giving the festivals goers plenty of great music from the beginning of the afternoon to the wee hours at night.

Attendees will be able to camp out and hang out all weekend long.  Vendors will be also there for everyone to grab food.  Speaking of food, the roasting of the pig will be still take place.  And this year’s pig isn’t for the faint of heart.  “It’s going to be a 300 pound pig”, said Herdman.  Yep-300 pounds.  This year’s festival, like the ones before, will surely have everyone planning on attending next year.  “We have folks that come to me and tell that they plan on coming for the next year as soon as the event is done on Sunday (laughing)”, Herdman said.

As the end nears at each year’s festival, Herdman shared with me a tradition that he holds dear to him.  “Each year, I gather around some of family and friends, grab a shot of whiskey, bow my head down and say ‘here’s to another great year!”

Hog Jam 8 will be located this year at VFW Campgrounds on 8718 Claude-Thomas Road in Franklin, Ohio.  The event will be a two-day festival that will have two stages with 17 artists and bands for to play.  Tickets at the gates for the weekend are $35.  For more info, click on the Facebook page, located here.

 

Good English: Trio Riding The ‘Wire’ With New LP

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(Photo Courtesy-Brian Glass)

You know the expression-blood is thicker than water.  It’s a statement that is no truer when it comes to family.  Family is unbreakable.  Sure, you can get annoyed with them when they do something stupid.  Its family-you can’t be annoyed for long.  They are always going to be there for you.  Part of being in a band, you are in a family.  You have each and every one of the members of the group’s best interest far more than most.  You can have a disagreement, and minutes later hug it out.  The band Good English is no exception.  Good English comprises of sisters Elizabeth, Celia, and Leslie Rasmussen.  Elizabeth is the lead vocalist, and plays guitar, Celia is on bass and Leslie on drums.  The band is set to drop their first full-length album Radio Wires on Tuesday, August 27.  This Saturday, Good English will be throwing a CD release party at Blind Bob’s fifth anniversary weekend.

Good English got their start when the ladies were still children.  Elizabeth began to start getting interested in learning how to play the guitar and singing while she was in the eighth grade.  Celia had to choose between being in choir and being in the orchestra in elementary school.  She decided that she would be in the orchestra and started playing the cello.  The other sibling, Leslie, was banging away on the snare drum.  Their parents would soon after give them newer instruments.  Leslie replaced her snare with a drum kit, while Celia obtained the bass.  “The cello and the bass are pretty similar as most people know”, Celia explained.  “So my folks said give the bass a try.  If I didn’t like it-no biggie.”  The ladies began work on learning their new instruments and started playing.  “Our first song we wanted to learn was ‘Warning’ from Green Day”, added Elizabeth.  “We were big fans of Green Day and we wanted to learn their songs.”

To help gain a little more knowledge on playing their guitars and drums, the girls signed themselves up for Hauer’s Music Band Camp around 2008.  At the camp, they learned how to polish up their play and also had the experience to perform live at the legendary local music venue Canal Street Tavern.  The chance to play at Canal Street would be beneficial to the group as they started embarking on playing more and more live after the camp.  Good English added another member to their group and would start to perform at other local venues, with doing shows that were for all ages.  Still very young, the adolescents played as if they have been playing for many, many years.

In 2011, Good English felt they had enough good material and wanted to record their first songs.  The band packed their instruments and drove down to Nashville.  There, they recorded at Reel Love Recording Company.  The owner of the recording company is Dayton’s own Patrick Himes.  Himes produced an outstanding six track EP titled Take Control.  The opening track ‘Hollow Sound’ starts off with twang piano play and then takes a backseat while the guitar riffs.  The title song of the album ‘Take Control’ features a slick indie sound, with Celia’s bass line popping out.  Himes clearly saw what the band’s individuals bring to the table, and highlighted them all in each song.  The music leaps round from all different sounds.  You can hear the indie rock in one song, followed by some blues in another.  The band takes pride in the fact that they don’t have a specific style.  They love exploring all the different styles, and putting their own spins to it.  The result is a stylish rocking opus.

With Take Control released for the masses, Good English proceeded to play local gigs at the local taverns, and festivals.   One of the big breaks that the band has received to date was being part of the local acts that were able to play at last year’s Downtown Dayton Revival Festival.

Earlier this year, Good English went back to Nashville to work Himes again to work on the follow-up of Take Control.  They went down on back to back weekends, with the first weekend setting down the drums and the next weekend laying the vocals and guitar.  “I was really great to get away and work with Patrick again”, Elizabeth said.  “We know that wouldn’t have too many distractions and we could keep our focus on the music.”  The band would work throughout the weekend, bunkering down in the studio for 12 hour days.  Still, the experience of working with Himes, and laying down new music helped the band continue to march on.

Radio Wires promises to show Good English’s growth since the first EP was released.  The instrumental play is powerful and gritty, and is the main focal point in the trio’s mind.  The lyrics are open to interpretation for the listener, which always gives each song freshness.  “We want to have our songs to be like a story that involves characters”, Elizabeth says.  One thing is for sure-audiences and their fans will not be putting down their story anytime in the near future.

Radio Wires will be released on Tuesday, August 27th.  This Saturday, come celebrate the band’s album with their CD release party at Blind Bob’s.  Showtime is around 9pm.  For more info, click on the band’s website goodenglishband.com.

For those who want a taste of the band, click out the video below.  The song is off their EP, Take Control.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYiMn_oGZU’]

5 Bands To See At Miami Valley Music Fest 2013

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The Miami Valley Music Festival Association is hosting their annual event, Miami Valley Music Fest, this weekend at Eagle’s Campgrounds in Troy, Ohio.  The festival began in 2006 and has been growing ever since.  The weekend gives the attendees a weekend of camping, fantastic live music all day and night, food from local vendors, visual art displays by local artists, dance performances.  Also at the festival you will find informational booths hosted by local charities.  Throughout the weekend, the musical line-up will feature rock, blues, bluegrass, reggae, electronic artists and bands.  With so much great music being played, here are 5 acts to catch this weekend:

 

 

 

 

Such A Night

Jeff Opt’s version of the well-acclaimed documentary of The Band’s last live performance has taken the area by storm.  The first show at Gilly’s electrified the crowd.  The second show at Southgate House Revival at Newport, Kentucky gave folks outside of town an extraordinary view of what local music in Dayton is all about.  This next stop shouldn’t be any different.  There have been a few changes in the lineup, but the show is still top-notch.  The level of play that each musician brings continues to show the appreciation of the original.  For people who haven’t had the chance to see the show, this weekend’s act will be one to not miss.  For those who have seen the performance, expect the same excellence.

 

Lost on Iddings

All around the world, there are so many great jam bands.  The Grateful Dead and Phish are two that have seen their popularity continue to soar.  Dayton has their share of jam bands, as well.  One band in particular, Lost on Iddings, are starting to place their name into the jam bands to not miss when they perform.  The band comprises of individuals who according to their website allow each member to ‘express themselves fully through their own style of play’.  The festival location’s hometown band will give the festival patrons an infectious blend of ska and rock in some of their music.  The guitar play from the band is open and airy, very free-flowing.  Some of their music also incorporates some country influence.  Jam band fans will be craving for more once Lost on Iddings finish their set.

 

https://soundcloud.com/lost-on-iddings/greater-understanding

 

 

 

Stillwater River Band

For the folks who enjoy bluegrass, Stillwater River Band will give the audience what they are looking for.  To the folks that haven’t really immersed themselves in the genre, give these fellas a look while at the weekend festival.  SRB plays the classic American root sound beautifully while also giving it a present day feel.   The play of the strings and the vocals possess a wide range of emotion.  Festival goers will be watching a band that is heavily influenced from the music that is played in the mountains.  Grab a dance partner while watching SRB play, because their music will get you moving.

 

 

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzDp_YjrCL4′]

 

Gin-Soaked Angels

Yellow Springs is a special place for those who know it well.  The town hangs it hat on being heavily centered on the arts.  Gin-Soaked Angels stem from the town, and are a great representation.  They consider their music genre ‘soul-rock/electric gypsy-punk’.  To the listener, they will hear a heavy dosage of electro-acoustic guitar play, hypnotic percussions with moody vocals.  Gin-Soaked Angels have a laid-back vibe to them to will suit the late night crowd perfectly.  The band has just started getting their feet with being a band, and playing at the Miami Valley Music Fest is just a great way to get some exposure.

 

The Repeating Arms

A set from The Repeating Arms cannot be missed.  The group has a sleepy folk sound that will undoubtedly leave people feeling as good as they will ever feel.  Each song maintains a simply assortment of rock that is has a Southern twist to it.  One of their best songs to date, the psychedelic-driven ‘Pigeon’, only bulks up their range.  The Repeating Arms, like the Gin-Soaked Angels, are still fresh in the music scene in town.  Be expecting this band to be a band that everyone will be talking about after the weekend is over.  They should be the show that will be one of the best of the event. To hear music from the band, click here.

 

 

 

The 2013 Miami Valley Music Fest will be taking place today and tomorrow at the Eagle’s Campgrounds in Troy, Ohio.  Tickets are on sale for $45/weekend, $35/Saturday only, and $25/Friday only.  For more on who is will be performing, click here.

REVIEW: Geoff Tate Brings Mindcrime to Columbus

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Wednesday June 19 the original voice of Queensryche, Geoff Tate brought the 25th Anniversary of the epic 1988 concept record Operation Mindcrime tour to Newport Music Hall for a night of Queensryche classics and the Operation Mindcrime experience start to finish.

Something Unto Nothing opened the show.

Something Unto Nothing opened the show.

For his version of the Ryche, Tate enlisted former Ozzy, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Dio bassist Rudy Sarzo, AC/DC, Something Unto Nothing skinsman Brian Tichy on drums, guitarist Kelly Gray of Queensryche/Myth fame, Hurricane’s Robert Sarzo, and keyboardist Randy Gane of Myth to help spread the Mindcrime to thousands of adorning fans across the country. LA’s Something Unto Nothing and Ireland’s The Voodoos warmed up the crowd.

S.U.N. opened the show proving that loud sound and intense musical power can come from two people with only a few instruments. The blond dancing swaying bayou queen Miss Sass Jordan came out to the beat of a Cajun groove, pouring her whisky strong voice into the mic over the crowd, like a mystic enchanting spell carried by silent swamp water. If Janis Joplin got in a cat fight with Grace Slick, Miss Jordan’s voice would be the winner. By the time they’re done, she’s Burned her image and performance into our minds and ears. She takes us on a trip down to Uncle Tom’s cabin to be Razed voodoo style with a little help from Zeppelin. Drummer Tichy can make thunder come out of one large kick-drum as the two person band make incredible music come out of a drum, cymbal, acoustic guitar, tambourine and Jordan’s voice. An electric acoustic never sounded so heavy. Jordan’s a tambourine shaking flower child as she foot stomps through tales of the mighty backwater river and the mysteries buried deep in the swamp muck. Once they go down that one way road over sacred, burial ground there’s No Way Home for these traveling Nomads. Tichy’s first show was Kiss’s Dynasty tour at age 10 inspiring him to hit the drums. Making a surprise early appearance the Ryche’s Kelly Gray came out to play Maybe I’m Amazed.

The Voodoos

The Voodoos

From Ireland comes a special kind of electric voodoo played by the five-some from Cork known as The Voodoos. Mark Daly brings a Dave Grohl/Chris Cornell look to his stage presence as they sprinkle some old fashioned rock n roll dust on the audience blending bluesy angst ridden rock with a jam band experience. The band opens with those sinister Black Walls, telling the audience there’s two sides to every story but there’s Nowhere to Run. Daly pulls out the Cobain anger and sorrow as his hearts Torn Apart. They finish with Don’t Listen.

Queensryche’s third record, considered both a concept album and a rock opera, follows the story of a drug addict who becomes disillusioned with the Reagan led society of his time and reluctantly becomes involved in a revolutionary group as an assassin of political leaders. In January 1989, it reached No. 34 on Kerrang magazine’s 100 greatest heavy metal albums of all time, certified platinum in 1991. I Don’t Believe in Love was nominated for a Grammy in 1990. During the Empire tour, Mindcrime was performed in its entirety with video footage, animation and a guest singer as Sister Mary and was released as Operation LIVEcrime. The story was also explored in a series of video clips that aired on MTV and in the 1989 VHS, Video: Mindcrime. It was re-released with bonus tracks in 2003 and as a box set in 2006.

Operation Mindcrime underway on the Newport stage

Operation Mindcrime underway on the Newport stage

The album begins with main character Nikki laying catatonic in the mental ward unable to remember anything from his past but snippets. In a moment of complete realization, everything floods back as he remembers being a heroin addict and political radical in the making manipulated into joining a secret new world order organization dedicated to starting revolution and used as a pawn for political assassination. Lead by the devious Dr. X, Nikki was manipulated by his addiction and brainwashed by the ‘good’ Dr., becoming his murderous puppet whenever he spoke the word ‘mindcrime’. Through one of the doctor’s associates, Father William, Nikki’s offered the services of Sister Mary, a prostitute turned nun. Through their association Nikki begins questioning the true nature of what he’s doing. Dr X notices, seeing the threat of clarity Mary represents he orders Nikki to kill her and the priest. Nikki kills the priest, and confronts Mary but doesn’t kill her after they both decide to leave the organization. He tells the doctor they’re done but is reminded that only he can provide Nikki with his fix. Nikki leaves to find Mary dead. Unable to cope with the loss or the unknown possibility that he might have done it under ‘mindcrime,’ insanity creeps in. He runs through the streets screaming until subdued by the police. A gun is found and he’s taken in under suspicion of the Dr. X murders. Suffering complete memory loss he’s placed in a bed until seeing a news report of the spree jogs his memory.

The lights go out as the crowd roars and the sounds of the disinfected, sterile, bland mental hospital room blend with the anticipation and tension of the crowd awaiting anarchy, revolution and mindcrime. Nikki is sufficiently sedated by the disgusted nurse leaving him to his tidal wave recall. His memories come through the speakers through Tate’s voice as he remembers how it started…

Master of Mindcrime ceremonies, Geoff Tate

Master of Mindcrime ceremonies, Geoff Tate

Gray and the Sarzo brothers start the soaring guitars as Gane hits the keyboard background, and Tichy marches the drumbeat bringing out the music of Anarchy-X as the doctor yells impassioned propaganda at the Columbus crowd from his loud audio podium. The guitars slowly build toward the entrance/appearance of Mr. Tate as Revolution’s Calling. The bald, goateed voice of the Ryche since ‘82 comes out eyes mysteriously hidden by trademark shades, decked in leather to speak the truth the media won’t tell us. For a price he’ll tell us the story, and we give him a pretty good cause. The years/decades may change but the cynicism and corporate/government greed stay the same, who do you trust when everyone’s a crook? The phone rings, Dr. X starts Nikki’s Operation:Mindcrime telling the drug riddled puppet it’s time to change the system and kill for the underground revolution with the sinister sounding guitars playing an early painting of the dramatic violence to come closing with Tate’s sorrow filled wail and the mob growing restless. Several months in, Nikki’s become the doctor’s most valuable colleague; his missions of murder/assassination have given him a godlike ego and he believes himself to be a one man trigger happy messiah of world change, disparaging the old system, completely submerged in Dr. X’s new global empire. The guitars speak of Nikki’s new life mindset/determination to ‘make a difference’ in his own way with their fast paced speed and heaviness while the bass underlines his new found power.  Speak the word: the word is revolution, it’s all of us. Speak! After Wright’s killer drum solo, they introduce former working girl Sister Mary into the story. She was pulled from the dead end nightly street walks by Father William who saves her and ordains her as a nun, seemingly freeing her from Spreading the Disease but soon after his true colors emerge, taking favors from her in payment for giving her ‘salvation’. The music has a treacherous feel as it’s played over dirty lyrics of sex and greed used to infect the masses. The pattern of love, sex and betrayal continues as it’s revealed that the good father is a close friend and supporter of Dr. X who offers Mary as a fringe benefit for Nikki’s loyalty. The Mission begins months later with Nikki sitting in his room, watching TV in the darkness, the evil of his deeds and guilt in his conscience catching up as the adrenaline and high of the kill have dissipated.  Moving illumination flickers from the victims’ candle light shrines he’s made in despair. Father William preaches as a bullet shatters the TV, starting a beautiful guitar melody as Tate’s vocals pour out pain and sorrow like rain shadowing the voices of Nikki’s victims then turning into the voice of his psyche. The guitars sear solos of his hopeless anguish. His humanity is slipping away, the only thing keeping his emotions alive is time spent with Mary. He is slowly falling in love with her. Doctor X decides that Suite Sister Mary and the priest are weak links in his plans and instructs Nikki to do the deed. More haunting melody as the Latin chants of judgment sound off in the background. New found clarity and morality conflict with obedience/obligation to his father figure. Tate’s voice serenades high telling Mary’s story. He confronts her and realizes he cannot kill the only happy thing in his life. He confesses why he came. Sass Jordan returns to the stage singing as Mary telling Tate/Nikki she wants to die for her sins yet he still can’t pull the trigger proving his true love and they share themselves on the altar as the thunder and rain pour outside.  The Needle Lies to every addict, and Nikki’s no exception as he goes to assassinate his final victim, Doctor X and start a new life with Mary. Unfortunately their experience left Mary struggling with the memories of Father William’s sins and she falsely sees Nikki as just another man who used her. The doctor holds the power of Nikki’s addiction over him and he leaves defeated, returning to the church to find Mary dead in her room.

The story never tells the specifics of Mary’s demise and remained an intentional mystery, with fans surmising their own theories, until the secret was revealed on 2004’s An Evening with Queensryche tour.  A quick Google search will yield both the “official” story and lots of fun fan theories.

Sass Jordan joins Geoff Tate onstage to sing the part of Sister Mary

Sass Jordan joins Geoff Tate onstage to sing the part of Sister Mary

Her Electric Requiem begins as he stares down at her body, the keyboard pouring dark waves of panic, shock and anger. High pitched guitar notes crack in his brain, slowly crumbling his sanity into the gutters. As madness seeps in, he runs through the streets screaming her name, his mind a flood.  With his frantic mind Breaking the Silence and psyche crumbling, he makes one last trip back to the church to try and find answers only to be swarmed by police. He’s connected to the political assassination they don’t know he’s guilty of yet and Mary’s murder which he’s presumably innocent of, his belief in love gone. He’s booked and convicted as the haunting guitars play a beautifully simplistic duet of Waiting for 22. He sits in his Empty Room, his mind weaving in and out of rational sanity trying to figure out what happened to Mary, his last moments of clarity and what used to be his life. He looks up at his reflection in the TV staring into the Eyes of a Stranger, his fate, repeating these memories over and over.

The band finishes the performance, leaving the stage in darkness and the crowd screaming for more.

They reappear after the livecrime to comfort with some Silent Lucidity, the best they can. They pull out a surprise new song from Frequency Unknown bringing the Cold. I’m American from Operation Mindcrime II ending with the Jet City Woman flying over the Empire Tate helped build since ’82.

REVIEW: Rock On The Range Weekend Sells Out Crew Stadium

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May 17th, 18th and 19th 2013’s Rock on the Range lineup played Columbus’s Crew Stadium to a jammed packed house each night. On three consecutive days the weekend music festival known for bringing in rock, metal and other diverse acts and talent jammed 20,145 hot, sweaty, sunburnt fans into its bleachers and floor for an all-day festival with bands performing on three stages.

Starting as a one day show in 2007 headlined by ZZ Top, Evanescence and Velvet Revolver, Rock on the Range’s success brought a two day show in 2008 featuring the return of Stone Temple Pilots with co-headliners Disturbed on Saturday and Kid Rock/Three Doors Down on Sunday. Since then it has delivered global headliners Slipknot, Alice in Chains, Korn, Motley Crue, Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, Rob Zombie, A Perfect Circle, Marilyn Manson and Megadeth. This year the event expanded to three days to include 50 bands on the Monster Energy Main Stage and the Jagermeister and Pabst Blue Ribbon Stages.

Friday’s first ever opening day included In Flames, Oleander, Mindset Revolution, American Fangs and Xfactor1 on the Jager Stage, with Love and Death, Hollywood Undead, Buck Cherry, Cheap Trick and Korn headlining. Saturday’s Jager Stage had Scorpion Child, Gemini Syndrome. Heavens Basement, Red Line Chemistry and Clutch while the Pabst Stage gave us Young Guns, Otherwise, Motionless in White, Black Veil Brides, Asking Alexandria and a Day to Remember. The Monster Stage played Pop Evil, All That Remains, Grammy Award winning Halestorm, Bullet For My Valentine, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Stone Sour and Smashing Pumpkins.

As an added bonus for fans who wanted to piss themselves laughing, the Old Milwaukee Comedy tent hosted stand up from 6pm-8pm featuring Bill Squire, Bob Cook, Big Jay Aokerson, That Metal Show’s Jim Florentine and Ari Shafir on Saturday and Bill Arrundale, Dan Swartwout, Rod Pauletta, Big Jay Oakerson and Jim Florentine on Sunday.

Error 504 (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Error 504 (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Sunday brought the weekend’s finale to a crowded, smoldering, loud close. The diversity that ROTR is built on was displayed in full force. Opening the morning’s festivities on the Jager stage was the 2013 Battle for Rock on the Range winners Error 504, who bested 6 other Columbus finalists and 36 other bands collectively to be there. They opened with Give it Away with vocal help from the lovely Miss Kelsey Mayer busting into The Reckoning then delivering the Lil’ Red devil when bassist Jon Banks got temporarily possessed by Satan on the mic. Alex Mayer takes a quick sight-seeing trip on the hot pavement playing the loud welcoming committee everyone came to see.

Atlanta’s O’Brother played a set from their Garden Window and new Disillusion CDs, noise heavy in ambience, effects and delivery. Lo is the opening rocker with hints of The Cure. O’Brother must be heard in the proper Context to be truly appreciated, such as the heavy grinding growling guitars and atmospheric tint of high vocals. Lay Down begins in a tricky sea of guitar sound submergence echoing sounds of whale notes from Johnny Dang’s guitar playing along an eerily calm Robert Smith sounding Tanner Merritt. They get spastically heavy for a few seconds then creepy composure’s restored until the heavy downpour hits and never stops. The next song is full of Perilous Love from a dangerous obsessed mind rocking in a dark corner somewhere. In conclusion, welcome my friends… welcome to The Machines Part I & II, two loud heavy breathing noise mashers. Stormy guitar sounds with a surrealistic melancholy Deftones feel and high pitch cooing to Bush like vocals. They’ll be touring with Native and Daylight through August and September.

Thousand Foot Krutch brought the icy chills from Ontario Toronto to the Columbus stage, letting the sparks fly. They get wicked with the crowd as the human body parts fly, bash around and run into each other. Next, the title track for their new release The End Is Where We Begin. They broke out the War of Change then it was time for the crowd and pit to Move and get a little sweaty kicking a hole in the sky. They have a bad case/habit of turning it up (too loud) so it was time to Fire it Up and excuse them while they Light Up The Sky.

Sacramento’s Middle Class Rut played some multi- dimensional tunes for fans unaccustomed to what a duo should be able to pull off, so they brought the band too. Zack Lopez poured out some Perry Farrell throated vocals singing about dear Aunt Betty then took things to a New Low. They’re busy touring and Busy Being Born into the scene. Then started the road race playing Alive or Dead from the Need for Speed: The Run soundtrack.

Ghost (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Ghost (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Deuce finished the day’s Jager fueled lineup playing a combination of rock, rap and Linkin Park meets Iggy Pop.  The former voice of Hollywood Undead opened with the Undead, then got the crowd Crackin, just like Mr. Cooper, Nobody Likes him either. He plays theater putting on the masked face revealing two sides to his ultra-ego, finishing with his tribute to America.

Popping open the Pabst Stage was Ontario’s Big Wreck playing some imported Northern hard rock starting with Inhale.  Ian Thornly brings out the Chris Cornel vox on Albatross.  Fans go oh yeah it’s That Song,  Thornly brings out the fast note swinging blues on Come Again, and a space aged solo from The Oaf.

Next straight from the dirty south of Nashville comes Red. They already spray painted and tagged the stage red, white and every other color, later on the whole f’n town. They Feed The moshing Machine with a speed limit of no less than 40 as everyone bounces to the Perfect Life. Fists pound on Let Go and Die For You, many Rangers used the mosh pits as a great way to Release The Panic of a large crowd environment. And the song that started it all was playing through the flames of Breathe Into Me.

Ghost (courtesy of Jessica Rhoades)

Ghost (courtesy of Jessica Rhoads)

Next the dark, unholy byproduct of a satanic blood orgy of black magic and carnal knowledge between King Diamond, Skeletor, Lilith and Anton LaVey. Now ladies and gentleman straight from the church burning chapels of Norway comes the new black pope incarnate. Papa Emeritus II emerged fully robed in his favorite Sunday papal blasphemy, his evil face painted skeletal worship blessed the crowd as Ghost took the stage with the Nameless Ghouls/Darth Vader Monks playing in black with eyes wide shut as the masked ball began. The church of the undead came to order as his disgrace Emeritus lead the congregation in a damned celebration spreading the foul stenched musical incense starting with sophomore set title track Infestissumam continuing into Per Aspera Ad Inferi. The biggest question when seeing Ghost isn’t particularly what’s under the robe or even WTF? The greatest corpse painted mystery of the proud Papa may be who’s under the robe, and despite speculation it’s not King Diamond or Mikael Akerfeldt. We join the Con Clavi Con Dio under the sign of the burning hot sun sealing our own Merciful Fate. We are witnesses of the lords of the dark arts proclaiming 2013 as Year Zero as Papa sings the praises of his evil eternal inflamed patriarch. Emeritus’s vocals are in the style of a blood coven sacrifice between Akerfeldt, Diamond, BOC’s Donald Roeser and Weird Al, slow, soft, soothing, calm with an unassuming serpents tongue delivery. The Ritual continues as rotting, wrenched bodies are stacked up neatly in the pit. The Monstrance Clock ticks down to the end of today’s show.

In This Moment (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

In This Moment (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Now time for one of the day’s most anticipated moments. Blonde tantalizing temptress Maria Brink standing tall above her baby-dolled mount grabs her skull headed polls, offers us a healthy dose of first aid after tasting the half eaten apple of temptation rising with her as she brings us In This Moment. We’re instantly adrenalized and addicted to this by her seductive wail hitting us with a Blazin hot-shot stream of her refreshing cool steam. The sirens roar as she mounts her disciplined stool, the hottest dunce in school. Ready to dish out wanted punishment to every hot sweaty Whore in the audience desperately crowd surfing their way to earn a few whacks. Afterwards it was time to Burn as our lovely angelic nurse spreads her white satin wings to the heavens offering up her tortured embrace as she unleashes the Beast Within with the help of a curious silly rabbit. Then it was time for the Blood to flow through our veins, we love her for all the things she does to us.

It was time to pay a heavy Penance with the very disturbing David Draiman’s new other worldly Device. You Think You Know what reality is, think again as the thunderous guitar hits. Draiman, Evanascence’s Will Hunt and Dope’s guitarist Virus have brought the hard-rock, industrial, electronica cyber vision to life on stage, where they’re immersed in the live performance Haze. They create another incredible moment bringing Maria Brink back out to duet on monster 80’s ballad Close My Eyes Forever. Though there’s only one Ozzy and Lita, Draiman’s high pitch and Brink’s husky exhales put a unique spin and twist on the classic tune. They have vilified themselves through life, music and moving forward. They close with a wishful homage to one of the forefathers of the industrial scene.

Sick Puppies (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Sick Puppies (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

The holy Lamb of God is offered up as freedom loving citizen Randy Blythe brings the Desolation to Columbus and the pit begins. L.O.G. encourages everyone to Walk With them In Hell and with the heat, sweat and perpetual performance pits, the Crew Stadium bares a hellish resemblance to the dark underground lair. Now that we’re all Set to Fail Now we’ve Got Something To Die For. Blythe’s gravel throated luciferian shriek hammers the crowd into high physical praise. Before orchestrating the circle pit Blythe announces ‘You are at Rock on the Range, you are watching Lamb of God, obviously you’re just a bunch of Rednecks.’ The final song brings the infamous wall of death where sweaty, nasty flesh and bone collide face to face.

Opening the Monster Energy Main Stage was the Aussie www.facebook.com/sickpuppies via LA and they came ready to bring a War and start the anatomical stadium body Riptide. Our ears are blessed by Emma Anzai’s voice on Die To Save You. The next one’s for all the hard drinking Odd Ones in the crowd, namely everyone, including the off duty Spiderman. Shimon Moore brought thousands together with hands on shoulders rocking the stadium floor with Nothing Really Matters. They finish with crowd pleaser You’re Going Down.

Atlanta’s Sevendust emerged with Lajon Witherspoon live, ripe and ready for Decay. They get the party going as the steam poured from the stage giving the audience high Praise. Witherspoon intro’s a new song from Black Out The Sun called Till Death but makes sure the crowd really wants to hear it. Next they get their pound of flesh turning the audience into Pieces. Sevendust has definitely arrived in Columbus and they weren’t leaving until they gave Crew Stadium the ultimate Face To Face experience. Just don’t be f’n with his head and leavin.

Steel Panther (photo by Chris A Photography)

Steel Panther (photo by Chris A Photography)

Next up the recent 80’s throwback to when spandex, hairspray and macho makeup ruled the sunset strip with a tight spandex, leppard skinned rocker/power ballad power-punch. Steel Dragons distant cousins and Motley Crue’s illegitimate children from the Ratt infested streets of Hollywood, Steel Panther. The pseudo autobiographical comically parody laced foursome dipped in Poison and Aquanet are indeed a true Cinderella story. The Panther comes out to prowl eyes hungry stalking its prey. Today was Rock on the Range for the 2013 80’s rockers but they’re going to an X-rated party Tomorrow Night. Now for the most important question of the day from Michael Starr, are you ready to f’n rock? Are you ready to do….. unspeakable, unprintable, unmentionable, indigestible things to cute furry cats? What other band can freely open up to an audience of twenty thousand people about their sex life and smile doing it? He also behaved himself within reason for the most part never unleashing the Whitesnake. Guitarist Satchel shows off his prowess playing almost as fast as Eddie Van Halen and he can almost play the beginning of Jessie’s Girl too. While Satchel sacks the crowd with his between song monologue bassist Lexxi Foxx busies himself at the front house/front stage hand held makeup cabinet before mugging for the audience making sweet sweet rhythm of love to the camera. He looks great…. from a distance. Stix Zadinia is so fast on drums his hand is half Asian and Asian Hookers make the best working girls in today’s rough, global cash strapped, multi-corporate, consumerist, digital, online, information is money, up to the minute, high def, Youtube, Tweeting, marketing society. Next up, the fun high energy sing along, synchronized head-banging of Just Like Tiger Woods. For those who haven’t seen Steel Panther before, for those that like going to the zoo and those planning on never seeing Steel Panther again this next song went triple platinum, in Guam where they’re treated as home coming hero’s and mobbed in the streets. It was their first video in Tahiti as well. This is their love song because their hearts belong to you but their (text omitted) are Community Property. Historically this was the lighter ballad but since it was 2:30 in the afternoon in an open air stadium nobody bothered. But we still sang along, arm in arm in the sweet emotion of the moment. Next song is dedicated to everyone that loves strip-joints and copulating with dancers in the bathroom. He’ll say one thing; Starr loves heavy metal more than he loves eating freakin….p-pizza. Rockstar prowess goes back for decades but only one band can claim 17 Girls in a Row. In closing f- Britney Spears, f-Mariah Carey cause it’s Death To All But Metal! Steel Panther thanks you for coming but they gotta go, 1988 called and they want their band back.

Skillet (photo by Chris A Photography)

Skillet (photo by Chris A Photography)

Those gospel defending/sharing mainstream rockers from the Tennessee Bible Belt open their show greeting the crowd and whatever Alien Youth happen to be surfing in the sun with some Whispers in the Dark. Including two drenched in white masked men masquerading as violinists. The world needs a Hero and with steam bellowing from everywhere Skillet delivers one. A war for your soul is being waged everyday by people who try and tell you what to think and do but Skillet believes in the gospel and are very much Awake and Alive and willing to play on top of long towering moving pillars stretching toward the heavens to prove it because here right now, they’ll do what they wanna do. Next is the title track to their upcoming release Rise. Then they appease all the crazies in the psycho circus crowd with something even better for the slightly twisted, insane makeup loving clown sideshow freak, a Circus For A Psycho. With all the crazies wandering around it was time to unleash the Monster. They finish with a beautifully loud Rebirth and hopefully saved a few souls in the process.

Ladies and gentleman Elvis has left the building, but there’s some good news, uh-huh, the kings of Danish Graceland where Elvis and Johnny Cash meet Metallica and Slayer, Volbeat just got here. They open today’s show with A Warriors Call, roaring down 1-70 with Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood dripping on the concrete. Hallelujah Goat answers what a collaboration between a sped up in shape Elvis and Black Sabbath would sound like. They pay tribute to the man in black playing Ring of Fire spitting from the Sadman’s Tongue jazzing it up with some rockabilly fast metal playin’.  This one’s for all the Johnny ‘Walkers’ out there Dead But Rising. Miss Lola Montez the shady lady herself makes an appearance.  Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman was honored with a short summer rain of blood before The Hangman’s Body Count began. We’re 11 songs into the set and we’re Still Counting floating bodies and spontaneously opening pits. By the time Volbeat was done and the Rock on the Range weekend concluded there’d be a Pool of Booze and more booze, sweat, tears and many other internal liquids swirling in a Molotov Cocktail cesspool rainbow for some unlucky souls to clean up.

Bush (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Bush (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Gavin Rossdale and the boys of Bush stopped by making sure all were nice and zen as the sun slowly descended starting the Machinehead fueled on Testosterone, not that there was any shortage at all. Though it was officially evening in mid- May and still pretty damn hot they brought us The Sound of Winter so Everything’s Zen. New track Loneliness is a Killer was greeted with enthusiasm. It was time to break out the Beatles and Come Together…. with the crowd, literary. A minute in Rossdale jumped stage running for the stands and brought the music to the people, in droves, covering almost half the bleachers on the crowds left side. Luckily he didn’t get the Beatlemania mob experience or he wouldn’t have made it back for the Little Things that kill. The opening riff to Glycerine got the shows biggest pop finishing with the Come Down.

It was time for the co-headliners and the evening’s first dose of Seattle grunge minus the rain. As if the pit hadn’t done enough damage to thousands of limbs Alice in Chains came out to rattle Them Bones. Cantrell and Co did their best to playfully Dam That River of humanity slowly moving towards them. Their set was a complete, comprehensive collection of classics, hits and new stuff. They kept the crowd happy Again and again and again. Though there weren’t any angry chairs around a wheelchair or two got some crowd surf time. They play the evening’s first two tracks from the William Duvall era Check My Brain and Your Decision from 2009’s comeback after 14 years Black Gives Way to Blue. Opening track from their newest The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, Hollow got good reaction. It was time to go old-school and get on old fashion deadly Facelift and Die Young, then slow it down, get nice, cool, calm and mellow Down In A Hole trapped like a Nutshell. The Dinosaurs make another post historic appearance on Stone, there’s No Excuses not to know they saved the best for last. If I could Would you? Man in the Box got a stadium sing along and rightfully so, besides they’ve all come to stuff the Rooster.

Soundgarden (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

Soundgarden (courtesy of Chris A Photography)

As night fell the day’s headliners and final closing performance of the weekend Seattle’s Soundgarden opened with the blossoming soft petals of the vain, soon to be fading Flower. It was time to Outshine the crowd with some California looks and Minnesota feelings. Then whip out their best Jesus Christ Pose backhanding the pomposity of certain religious types trying to rule over the moral majority in their fashion. They played the song that got them signed, ironically called Hunted Down. Not to be outdone by a stadium full of Rangers they loudly start their own wave on stage. Next the opening track from last year’s King Animal, Been Away Too Long, most fans would agree. We visit the Superunknown with the Mailman on a journey stretching like a rubber-band getting tighter and tighter and tighter…. They Blow Up The Outside World because nothing else mattered besides what was happening in Crew Stadium that night, bring on the black days. Giving the crowd the Badmotorfinger they pulled out the Rusty Cage then introduced the Spoonman from Seattle. It was time for the Black Hole Sun scorched crowd to break out the Chelsea grins and contorted smiles. They finish the night with the Ultramega OK Incessant Mace.

Rock on the Range 2013 delivered. Now the wait begins to see what’s in store for next summer.

Ghost setlist and photo without scepter courtesy of Jessica Rhoades and www.facebook.com/JrPhotographyInc.  All other photos courtesy of www.facebook.com/ChrisAPhotography and http://www.chrisaphotography.com.

Motel Beds Gives Dayton More ‘Sunfried Dreams’

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Living in Dayton, Ohio throughout the summertime is pretty standard.  You have the ability to enjoy the sun longer than the other seasons.  Kids are outdoors longer.  People take their much needed vacations more often during this period of time.  The local and private pools are visited frequently.  Cookouts replace cooking indoors.  We celebrate the nation’s birthday by gathering around and watching fireworks litter the night’s sky.  There is a sense of freedom when it comes to the season.

Another summer staple is the rising temperatures.  A recent Tuesday evening provided uncomfortable conditions.  The sweltering heat wave that Dayton was experiencing didn’t let loose of its grip.  In town, six individuals gathered together in a small locale that didn’t provide any escape.  The meeting spot had two air conditioners.  One was in a small area where a beaten down, black leather couch sat.  In the same space was a computer and soundboard for recording.  As you walk out of the small area and into the larger section of the room, another air conditioner sits atop the wall farther down at the end.  There are three fans that are scattered about.  Two of them are your typical pedestal fans.  Sadly, they have become decorations because they no longer work.  The other fan is a box version and its down at the other side of the room.  The lime green color makes it look like it’s been rocking and rolling since the early 70s.  The heat inside the space was unreal.  The ice cold cans of Miller Lite helped some, but it wasn’t going to solve the problem.  The heat wave had taken over the room.  However, the group that consisted of six individuals couldn’t care less.  The collection of people was myself and the Dayton rock band, Motel Beds.

Photo by Chris Corn)

Photo by Chris Corn)

Guitarists Tommy Cooper and Darryl Robbins, drummer Ian Kaplan, singer PJ Paslosky, and bassist Tod Weidner make up Motel Beds.  This Saturday, the band will be releasing their 2011 album Sunfried Dreams.  The reissue will be released on CD and for the first time on vinyl.  The LP will include a bonus track.  The band will be having a show at Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District.  Joining Motel Beds will be The Harlequins, Speaking Suns, and Holy Smokes.  Label and design studio Brain Candy will helping with the release of the special release.  “The guys over there love the album and wanted to do something special”, Kaplan explained when asked why this album was choose above the others.

Motel Beds was formed in 2003, with the Kaplan, Paslosky, Cooper, and bassist John Lakes.  The band released their first EP, Hasta Mañana.  Hasta Mañana features dreamy, surf rock songs that are driven with acoustic guitar play.  The band would dissolve in 2005, and remerged in 2009, with Robbins joining the group.  That same year, the band released a much different sounding EP, the rock heavy Go For A Dive.  Shortly after that, Moondazed was released.  The 29 song, lo-fi album ranges from rough demos to polished rock gems that show the band’s range bouncing all over. In 2011, Weidner joined the band and the group marched forward by releasing Feelings, an fantastic collection of indie rock songs that continue to highlight the band’s continuing growth at that time.

Immediately following Feelings is the album that will be celebrated this Saturday night at Blind Bob’s.  Sunrise Dreams is the band’s most solid and most different to this point in their musical journey.  “It was one of the fastest and most fun albums we have done”, Robbins mentions.  “Everything just came together smoothly with this album”.  The album’s sound shows the band reaching back to their first EP, and expanding it.  The songs on the album each have a blend of influence from 60s rock to garage rock. ‘Western Son’ is a slow moody song that will creep up on you without notice with Paslosky’s vocals.  ‘Bat Naps’ has a British punk rock feel to it.  The influence of The Clash roars through the song with the resounding drum play of Kaplan and the thrashing guitar play of Robbins and Cooper.  To continue with the British rock theme, ‘Obey Your Lunch’ really highlights that.  The Who-influenced track really shows off Weidner’s bass playing skills.   Sunrise Dreams is truly a beautifully made album that is destined to be a staple for vinyl lovers.

Motel Beds didn’t stop working on perfecting their craft with Sunfried Dreams, which started to see some critical acclaim throughout the US.  In the same year, the band released another marvel Tango Boys.  Tango Boys is a quick, 34-minute album that resembles what you come to expect with another band that Dayton calls their own.  Some of you may have heard them-Guided By Voices.  Once again, Tango Boys is filled with British punk, but an added element of lo-fi and hi-fi presents the album with a different spin.  The album also features local Daytonian/guitarist for the alternative rock band The Breeders Kelley Deal on the song ‘Tropics Of The Sand’.  The song with Deal got spun extensively on Sirius XM, nationwide on terrestrial radio stations, and gave the band a chance to perform at 2011’s CMJ Music Marathon, 2012’s SXSW, and the 2012 Downtown Dayton Revival Festival.  Dumb Gold is their recent album, having been released last year.  Dumb Gold continues to showcase the band’s growth.  Staying true to their British indie influences, Dumb Gold keeps pushing the envelope.  ‘Smoke Your Homework’ is an exemplary garage rock song.  Dumb Gold just proves that the band continues to strive to be a better band with each album.

The band strives to make sure that their music is as accessible as possible. “You can easily find most of our music all over the internet”, Weidner says.  “YouTube is amazing.  It truly is one of the best search engines to find music”, added Kaplan.  “If you have someone tell you about a band, you can easily go to the website and find all this music on that band.  It’s so easy to have your music on there.”  The band stands by that statement by doing what most local bands don’t do-present music videos.  One of the recent music videos the band released was for ‘Smoke Your Homework’.  The video shows the band visiting a neighborhood, and looking into purchasing some equipment from a creepy man.  The humorous video is one of many videos that are easily accessible videos that you can find from the band.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Vt8yucJXE’]

Another exciting event will be coming up soon for Motel Beds other than the reissue of Sunfried Dreams this Saturday.  On August 27th, the band will perform at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio.  The outdoor amphitheater will be one of the greatest accomplishments that the band has experienced.  The venue will also give folks from all walks to come and witness a local band taking the stage at larger scale.  “It’s going to be a true honor to be playing there”, Kaplan said.

Motel Beds are one of the many bands in Dayton to continue to be another reason for music to be noticed in town.  Saturday night, the reissue release party of Sunfried Dreams will be happening at Blind Bob’s Bar.  Showtime is 9pm.  For more details, click on the Dayton Most Metro event calendar link here.

Learning How To Play Vol. 2

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At the beginning of February, I decided that I would start to begin my musical voyage and try to learn how to play the guitar (see Learning How To Play Vol. 1).  For years, I thought of absorbing the ways of playing a musical instrument appealed to me.  It would be one of the coolest accomplishments I would ever achieve in my lifetime.  I would become a rock star, taking over the streets of our fair town and make everyone just fall in love with me.  The people will just crowd the area bars and just break all the fire codes without thinking that their lives could be in danger just to hear me play.  Women would lose their voices from shouting from the top of lungs when they saw me hit the stage, and flash them a wink their way.  The guys would tip their bottles of beer to show their respect and admiration.  The lights would shine as bright as the sun on me.  The chanting of the spectators would be heard miles away.  The stage would violently shake as if there was an earthquake.

Alright, alright-that’s not exactly what I’m going for.  Sorry I got carried away there.  I couldn’t even begin to comprehend the thought of someone wanting to do that for me.  If anything, I would get yelled at to get off the stage, or have a beer thrown at me.

Nonetheless, I do want to gain a better understanding on the science of learning how to play, and hopefully be lucky enough in the near future to be part of a set with musicians that want to play live.

(Recreate Shop)

To get the ball rolling, I decided to go and check out some of the local guitar shops.  Walking into the establishments, you immediately hark back to being a kid in a candy store.  Replacing all the sugary sweets one could gorge on is a considerable amount of instruments at every corner and every angle of the buildings.  A person that loved music really could get lost in these shops.  Each shop brings its own unique styles.  Hauer Music presents an historic sense when you walk in.  The old canal building provided the presence that makes Dayton a true gem of a city.  Recreate Shop gives guitar enthusiasts a euphoric environment to come to in the Oregon District.  The business provides customers first rate service with prices on instruments that will slap the big businesses straight across the face.  These are both staples in town, and for beginning guitar players-check them out.

Lucky for me, I had two good friends that allowed me to borrow some of their equipment.  One friend, trumpet and guitar player Nick Dever let me borrow a black, electric guitar he had lying around and singer/songwriter Tim Gebard loaned an amp.  Gebard also mentioned that I could come over and learn how to play a couple of songs that contain a few simple chords.  I wanted to see if I could learn how to play on my own first.

The beginning of each guitar player starts with one simple step-sit down and learns the chord structure.  What I didn’t realize is the amount of chords there is.  I think that there is a chord for each letter in the alphabet and then some.  This revelation made me go and see what the internet had to offer.  I clicked on various videos on YouTube, thinking that this could be a fast and effortless way to gain the knowledge needed.  Simply put-watching the videos were a complete disaster for me.  I would see what the instructor on the video would say to do, and I would try to replicate.  As I tried to strum the chord, nothing would happen.  I thought that I was doing the correct procedures.  Place the fingers on the strings.  Pluck the strings with the pick straight down.  Hear the note played perfectly.  Nope.  Nothing.  Nada.  As all this was happening, the video would move on.  I would rewind and try again.  Same thing.  No correct note sound.  Repeat the process over a dozen times.  I would watch the video and then try to play.  I would yell at the instructor as if they could hear me through the computer.  This route clearly wasn’t working for me.

With the video learning failing horribly, I called up Gebard to see if he could help.  He mentioned that if I ever wanted some help, he would be kind enough to take some time and help me some. We sat down one afternoon in February and he gave me a couple of printed sheets of songs to dive that had the chords on top of the lyrics.  The finger placement when playing the guitar is like trying to learn a foreign language.  I remembered the years of learning Spanish when I was high school, and wanting to scream because it wasn’t as easy as I wanted it to.  This feeling of frustration showed itself when playing with Gebard.  He would show me the positioning of the fingers for each of the chords that were needed when playing Helpless by Neil Young.  At times I thought that I would start to figure out the fluid flow that makes the song sound amazing.  However, my fingers would let me down.  The holding of the strings is a complex strategy.  If you hold down on the strings a certain way, the sound played is muffled.  There isn’t much of anything.  So, you have to learn how to play with the tips of the fingers.  It’s difficult.  This isn’t a process that comes overnight.

I knew that at the end of this day playing, I had to practice.  And I mean practice.

Well…that hasn’t happened much.

I admit it.  I wish that at this point I would be playing a couple of songs with ease and grace.  Life doesn’t work that way.  I have become so much more amazed at how you go to watch bands and artists perform live.  The time that each performer has put in makes me feel beyond guilty about not playing.  They have dedicated their lives to achieving the professional style that we as observers come to expect.  They have locked themselves in their bedrooms when they were younger and wouldn’t come out for hours.  They would have their fingers gush with blood due to amount of time elapsed while playing.

I have made every single excuse in the world.  I have been busy.  I work long hours and haven’t had the time.  I live in an apartment and don’t want to be too loud. I can only imagine that I am not the only one who thinks the same thoughts each and every second.  Playing an instrument isn’t going to be an overnight thing.  It takes time.  It takes patience.  The days in college have crept back in to my life.   The excuses need to stop I recently told myself.  I had a goal and I plan on sticking to it.  I want to learn how to play the guitar.

So the next step is now finding the time.  I have been told by several musicians when they have been told about my journey is to find a half-hour to an hour every night.  Sit down, put on a television show or go to Netflix and click on something.  The musicians say that by doing this it will help time fly by.  So, I plan on doing this along with getting guitar lessons.

The development of becoming a guitar player is not easy.  There is still so much to learn.  I know this now more than ever.  In the next installment, I hope to bring some better news.  Now, please excuse me. I have to go and practice…

REVIEW: Paws Benefit Show At JD Legends

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The 725 Band (photo by Mike Ritchie)

The 725 Band (photo by Mike Ritchie)

On Saturday May 18 the Paws benefit was held at JD Legends in Franklin featuring Jadis, 725 Band and Clockwork Soul. The benefit organized by Jadis’ Dawn Rose was to help raise funds for PAWS, a no-kill non-profit animal adoption center serving the community for 32 years. Don’t shop, adopt! All donations are tax deductible. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization which, through community help, finds good loving homes for shelter animals. Funds to help support PAWS can be donated through Network For Good; you can set up PAWs as your Kroger Plus card chosen charity, join Dorothy Lane Markets Good Neighbor Program or Gordon Food Services on the PAWS website.  Over 20 contributors and sponsors donated for the cause raffling off $150 worth of Monster Ink, an evening at the Funny Bone, 100 minutes of free tanning at Simply Brown, Grease Monkey, Options Hair Design, Patricia Rose Art and Quick Fix PC repair among others.  By the sunny volleyball beaches and the sun drenched cantina, the show begins.

The 725 Band started the evening with a collection of cool covers fronted by the powerhouse 4 octave voice of Ashley Watson who appears to have inherited the vocal talent of Janis Joplin and Nancy Wilson among others. She starts out showing she’s a little Runaway, singing from the heart on Barracuda and only a certain amount of voices can truly do that song justice. Paws doesn’t adopt out leopards, but they break out one of the 80’s hard rock giants songs of the ages adding a little bit of gunter glieben glauten globen.  Armegeddon It, are you? Some early Van Halen gets some love tonight, then Jackyl brings the sun shining down on us. In a unique medley of rock and metal riffs, Metallica’s Sandman becomes a Believer in Boston.  As the drinks, daiquiris and pina coladas, flow the crowds gets Lit, booze are often one’s Own Worst Enemy.  Watson lets out a rebel yell as band shirts are handed out for best fan yell. The sun gets Outshined by 725 as they finish with a Whole Lotta Love for Sabbath and the War Pigs.

Jadis (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Jadis (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Next up Dayton’s blonde debutant Mystie Rose and Clockwork Soul announced it was time to rock out with your clock out. Opening with the Pretenders and some Brass in her Pocket using her arms, legs, senses, fingers to get your attention, she’ll wink at you to make you use your imagination. They cranked out originals Until the End and the Masquerade portrayed in abusive relationships. They break out the chains with Would then sing about Lady Ga Ga. They bring back the 80’s nostalgia with an all skate Summer of 69. The dance floor opened for Count the Ways then everyone toked up Smoken with Charlie Sheen, then finished with some Straight Jacket Love.

Event organizers Jadis took center stage and you really can’t go wrong when half your group is comprised of hot chicks with instruments. They start out with a favorite because all their friends like a Low Rider. Let the Train Blow the Whistle the Man in Black says, causing a crowd dance off/hoe down. The Roadhouse Blues took over with some hardcore harmonica playing, hard living tales of yesteryear. The Zeppelin returns with a whole lot more love. Miss Tracy Chapman makes an appearance for One Reason while the screaming soul banshee wail of Miss Joplin wreaks havoc on Bobby Mcgee. They finish up with Sweet Mary rolling down the river and their own group Rebel Yell.

A special thanks to everyone who donated, sponsored, played and showed up to help support the PAWS.

REVIEW: Battle For Rock On The Range 2013 Finale at Alrosa Villa

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Saturday May 11th, the regional music community came out in full force supporting the Columbus rock scene and the 7 bands that made it to the battle of the bands finale for the coveted opening spot on the hallowed ground of Crew Stadium for Rock on the Range 2013. The winning band would perform on the same stage as Thousand Foot Krutch and Beware of Darkness among others. They’d also be performing on the same collective bill as In This Moment, Ghost, Lamb of God, Skillet, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden…no pressure.

The showcase was sponsored by Columbus’ Fox 28 News, 99.7 The Blitz, Zombie Tapdance Productions, Columbus Recording Studios, Music To Go, Local Rock Showcase, Stover Photography, Chris A Photography and X13 Sound Services.

Starting on March 22 with Auntiem, Devil By Design, Ironhead and The Last Rise, 37 bands played their best to earn the holy grail of local gigs. Other participants included 3rd Degree Burden, Autumn Burning, Blanch Devereaux, Despiragon, Exist Beyond Ruin, Overtheory, Trabue, Murnane Tribe, Error 504, Downsick, Liecus, Dressed in Electric, 8lb Pressure, A Nameless Tragedy, Hollywood Red, Black Dragon, Citizens Brigade, Viper, Liquid Ghandi, Antaean, Mason Made of Scars, Grit n Steel, Detrimental, Echoes of Empathy, Enemy By Mourning, Infidel, Mari Jayn, Second Sight, Imperium, Roxy Mae, Strikken, Country Club Commandos and Cross Solder.

The seven finalists would all play in one night, the winner to be determined by 2 anonymous judges and crowd voting. Cross Solder, Devil By Design, OverTheory, Error 504, 8lb Pressure, Hollywood Red and Infidel all earned their spot in the night’s grand finale to go play ‘Where Rock Lives’ the following weekend. Each band put on a spectacular performance giving their very best to the crowd, playing like they were already at ROTR. Whether you were a die-hard local, casual club goer or from elsewhere stopping by, you could tell by the crowd’s energy and the excitement, electricity, adrenaline and vibe pumping through the place that tonight would be epic. Tonight Columbus was united, jamming the house in support of the local scene.  Regardless of whoever you followed or liked, everyone wanted and got a great musical showcase.

Cross Soldier (Photo by Ike Ritchie)

Devil by Design (Photo by Mike Ritchie)

The Alrosa Villa staff was very impressed with the promotion by bands, sponsors and the local community, making the finale a victory in and of itself. The competition started 4 years ago with club founder Rick Cautela sending one local winner to the big show. Assistant Director of Entertainment Tara Cautela has taken it to new heights in recent years.

The first of the finalists Lancaster’s Cross Solder opened the show with What I’ve Become impressing with some down and dirty southern raunch rock and blues. Chadd Lunn’s raspy vocals paid tribute to Bobby Ellsworth and borrowed the ‘Blitz’s’ intense wide eyed glare. The boys played like they were hungry for their next meal whether it was up from the gutter or down from the penthouse. If Dave Mustaine was in a hard rock blues band and looked like Tom Cruise, we’d have Mr. Lunn. Soldering their own sound, they Light Up the Sky playing All I Need and the brand new dark sing along ballad If I Die. Another new one, Shameless, changed between slow melody and fast hard chug with butterfly knife quickness. They finish, playing the pied pipers with a private symphony for Mr. Mustaine. Look for their first record coming soon.

Playing the night’s sophomore set from the depths of hell with a sound straight from the narrow Harley riding rockslide looping roads under the LA sun were Devil by Design.  Though some of them might be too young to remember the beer soaked, hairspray drenched metal heyday of the sunset scene, they play with a healthy appetite and appreciation for their musical forefathers. Think if LA Guns, Motley Crue and GNR had a chance to defend their stripped turf from the Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden Seattle invasion.  The seeds of DBD would’ve been spewed out on the pavement, pushed to the curb and left to spawn. They open going hog-wild turning the keys on their EP title track Let the Devil Drive, and why not, there’s no need to sell their souls… yet, but having the devil at the wheel can give them rock n roll immortality. It’s better to Burn out than fade away as the song goes. They play their music like the hard drinking road gypsies they emulate with a little bit of hair, punk and Ramons thrown in to balance the octane with heavy sedation. Travis Halley has channeled the presence of Jim Morrison, Danzig and Layne Staley with a rosy swagger minus the suspenders. They break out the state plated ballads singing about the west coast wonderland bringing the 1980’s to 2013 without roses or thorns. Revolver video-single What if I Die cranks out the praises and hard luck perishes of the lifestyle accompanied by a little shelter from the Stones. You never know when it’ll be your time to go to paradise city. Can’t get the new album tune Outta My Head and for good reason. They finish blowing their set to Pieces taking the tour bus to home sweet home. Their 6 song EP Let the Devil Drive from BFX records is available on iTunes.

And now for the thinking man’s metal mind, Battle for Rock on the Range gives you Columbus’s Overtheory. The band’s philosophy is to keep it simple but sounding damn good doing it. They’ve already accomplished quite a bit in their 2 year history playing Newport Music Hall and Screamin Willies among others, performing live on 99.7 The Blitz, and earning a Fishtank Audio contract by winning first place at Captain Jacks’ battle of the bands. Singer Dorian Gray was definitely the night’s unsilent Bob singing with a distinctly disturbed tone belting out Fatal Flaw for the fans. Bassist James Guest spent the set hauling his self-catapulting massive frame around stage, his body anxiously awaiting his head to fly off and crowd surf. Resembling a bald Vinnie Jones, it’s no wonder he plays like a meat train madman. They break out the toys tossing out the killer red balloons and the glow stix for trippy illumination. They’ve developed a sound bending the Alter Bridge between Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin and their own combination of technically complex, strong heavy rock.

 

Error 504 (Photo by Mike Ritchie)

Error 504 (Photo by Mike Ritchie)

Error 504 is the last thing you want to see on your computer screen but definitely worth the drive to hear if you’re in the area. The band is an amped up mix of mashed up hard rock and metal that’s shared stages with Bobaflex and Mushroomhead among others. Led by Dayne Sauder, the crew played a set heavy in sound and loud on performance with fans and followers yelling loud and proud for the 504. Opening with Give it Away, new tune Devil’s Angel and growling riff chugger Lil Red, Alex Mayer, part Eddie part Dimebag, shreds his way through their future early classics flailing his blonde terror mop, shredded mesh and well worked guitar strings through the evening set.Kin of Infidels Larry Coak, lil Evan was brought out on stage for the first of a few early rockstar of the future training sessions. They were all playing for a spot at Rock on the Range but also for their love, passion and dedication for the art, crowd and scene. Even if it meant piling $5000 worth of gear into a $500 dollar vehicle and driving the miles for the price of a tank back home. The crowd showed gratitude opening a nightmarish pit as they unleashed the evening’s ending tune The Reckoning. Check out new CD Vol 1 The Awakening on Amazon.

How many pressure points does the human body have? How many pounds of pressure does it take to break bones, crack joints and skulls or choke someone out? 8lb of Pressure was Columbus’ best sounding answer to Korn meets Metallica and Godsmack. Singer Brandon Sin spent 8 years with Tainted 13, bringing a Mike Muir/Evan Seinfeld resemblance and his angry, snarling attitude with him. No amount of pressure can Break them down. Cranking out loud solid metal peppered with some COC playing Sick of It, special guest star Mark from Sever made an appearance on War and Lil Evan came back up to adrenalize the crowd with a frenzied air guitar solo helping out the heavy Machine Head chug on Lies.

Hollywood Red (Photo by MIke Ritchie)

Hollywood Red (Photo by Mike Ritchie)

Now for the evening’s second helping of Hollywood and Vine, hair metal with a touch of Aerosmith and some harder spiked rock and roll punch, Hollywood Red. All the thrills are there as guitarist Jonathan Suh rips the notes out of his guitar with Van Halen speed playing Back for More and Burned Out sung with a soft smooth Mark Slaughter delivery by the young Harry Connick Jr looking Dominic Frissora. Don’t call him a pretty boy… or Floyd. Their sound incorporates the back canyon road tales of Wasp, LA Guns and GNR. They get a little weezy on Save Me, guys… say it ain’t so! They may be too young to remember most of the 80’s, but they’ve taken the classic sound bringing back memories for all the ‘older’ kids to remember the good times. They play their own semi-autobiographical Misfit Anthem aided by the visual lyrical dance interpretation of some lovely young lust. The young guns have been around since late 2011 and have a self-titled EP out.

Rounding out the evening with a crowd full of vocal supporters, tonight’s blasphemous heathens Infidel hit the stage. Music is their life, metal is their passion, mosh pits are their calling and they just kinda sorta happen when they play. Are you ready for some metal?! Larry Coake yells out calling for the opposite of murder with a shining gleam in his eye. With the inflamed skull Obituary’esque logo banner backing their deadly sound, they all get on their soapbox performing their best. There was no need to Beg for crowd participation.  Though all bands were asked not to encourage pits being an all-ages show, sometimes the power of music just compels you. Coake’s spoken word screechy screaming delivery left his vocals Hangin by a Thread but didn’t stop him from touring the club spreading the word asking all patrons to follow him to Rock on the Range.

The excitement and tension built as the bands waited for the announcement of who would be playing Crew Stadium. The vocal majority was split between Infidel and Error 504. As the votes were tallied, the staff thanked all bands for playing a great show and welcomed them all to come back anytime. Regardless of who shared the Jagermeister stage next Sunday morning, the Columbus music scene was the winner tonight. Each band played like they belonged on stage holding nothing back and were destined for greatness. Then the announcement was made. The winner of the Battle for Rock on the Range was….. Error 504!

Congrats to Error 504 who played a great set at Rock on the Range, to the final 7 for making such a memorable night happen and all the bands that played and rocked The Villa over the past several months and to all the fans that make the scene happen.

Participants in Battle for Rock on the Range (Photo by Mike Ritchie)

Participants in Battle for Rock on the Range
(Photo by Mike Ritchie)

 

REVIEW: Hanzel und Gretyl Born to be Heiled in Columbus.

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On Friday May 10th, a dark-fairytale tag team duo of Uber German industrial techno noise came to the Columbus stage. Trekking through their native land on the Born to be Heiled US tour, the fire red haired beauty, German smack-talking booted vixen Vas Kallas and the helmeted, skull faced, beer swilling guitarist Kaizer Von Loopy brought the Euro party to the Alrosa Villa. Phantom 13, Eyes Stained Black and The Last Rise came to join the Uber Death Party.

Phantom 13 (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Phantom 13 (photo by Mike Ritchie)

What do you get when you combine misfit hangouts from a forgotten decrepit graveyard and the final sender of souls to the great out-west beyond? Columbus’s answer to a Halloween party on punch drunk absinthe fueled wheels, Phantom 13. With mic stands stacked with skullduggery and everyone dressed to scare and/or kill, the horror punk shock rock group of grisly goons from unmarked tombs were ready to consume all living souls willing to sacrifice for the cause. A tall top hatted shape in black emerged from the darkness as the funeral directing old school undertaker Sutter Cain opened his mouth of madness, breathing still life into the evening’s first song. Bassist Chuck Black’s shirt was ribbed for your pleasure.  Jerry Sinn, Rob Evil, keyboardist William Grimm sporting cool night vision glasses and Branden B. Evil all looked like creatures of nightly habits. Cain talked shop on Dust Filled Veins resembling a cloaked combination of Marilyn Manson and the unholy shock rock godfather himself, sweet Alice. It’s quite certain Cain’s Danzig infused vocals have sent a few post mortal souls to earn their black wings. As living, breathing steady paced walkers, we humans can’t get enough of the living dead, whether at movie conventions or AMC, and Phantom 13 are happy to oblige our hunger for a meaty musical meal of un-human noise and movement. The wolves howl an attack signal in the night as you walk swiftly across the foggy moor after midnight trying not to look behind you. We get a slow, dark, black lipstick seduction kiss from every man’s long haired beautiful fantasy queen and pleasant scary dream, the dominatrix of the nocturnal guilty suffering conscience, the Demon Girl. They pour hellfire’s octane on the devil’s eyes and speed off like a Beast. We get a house tour from beyond the grave by the little girl that can hear the Voices of the Dead. Out for Blood’s off their new CD, and it’s a haunting nursery rhyme about nasty dead things you shouldn’t play with. Sutter shared a not so funny thing that happened on the way there, a near death story as their tire almost came off the tour bus.  So they were VERY happy to be there tonight. The Dark Riders race and gallop on steads with red eyes fuming on power chug as Lilith commands the charge waging her eternal war and curse on the earth. They brought Transylvania to Columbus tonight for a high stakes showcase.

Eyes Stained Black (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Eyes Stained Black (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Next is the thrashy gravel throated entrenched ambiant atmospheric melancholy experience for the ears that is Eyes Stained Black. It’s Skinny Puppy meets dark-wave playing over grainy electronica graveyard footage. They play Dead, conjuring up atmospheric surroundings fitting for a victim’s quiet walk through the woods at night. Anima thrashes out with angry gritty guitars, an operatic siren singing out black tears of sorrow and pain with an eerie tranquility. Amidst all the swirling mood doom, there was Something Beautiful to be destroyed with an intertwining of weaving keyboards, hard hitting guitar and robotic trans-electronica. Singer Josh M is the deranged puppet master on the screen controlling this musical scrap iron assembly. They’re a surrealistic emotive whirlwind of creative dark depressive dirge sounds, imagery and musical mood swings from the parts of the mind that most people keep locked away. From the Inside Out is the closer

The Last Rise brings some down and dirty garage/basement metal up from where all bands begin and future rock stars emerge. It’s pretty, pretty f——g metal! Lonely Cradle starts out with a slow high pitched creepy childlike crawl along into a dingy chug dance. On The Last Goodbye, Chris Wolfe’s voice ranges from tearful controlled agony to fierce screaming. They played tribute to the knotted masked men with Spit it Out.

Hanzel und Gretyl (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Hanzel und Gretyl (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Our favorite American Neue Deutche Harte duo, Hanzel und Gretyl, was formed by members Kaizer Von Loopy and Vas Kallas in February 1993.  Deutschland’s answer to the fabled nursery rhyme of what would Hansel and Gretel be like if they were from Rammstein country.  Dapper in a marching helmet, skull mask and Ohio State shirt that would be beer drenched letztendlich, Hanzel shredded through a set of HUG classics from acht records to be heiled with Gretyl growling/marching along in strict military order, throbbing bass for all to see. The smoking skull faced demons straddled their hogs as Blitzkriegerz und Hellriderz got ready to ride out the gates of hell. HUG are Number One in Deutschland for a reason, and anyone who says different gets Das Boot up the arsch. One lucky fan dressed for the occasion got some bonding stage time but had to earn it the old fashion way. A full boot-leg of tonight’s sponsor Pabst Blue Ribbon was the price and prize of an up close HUG experience. Downing the brew with the added sweaty, socked leathery aftertaste, what does any Hanzel fan do after chugging it down? Why, asks for more of course. Der Furor seems to approve or maybe he just gets all choked up because the songs are too damn loud and fluchtig to handle. Kaizer shares the beer belt of love with the assembly. Breaking out the strong stuff at 100 proof plus, the Deathschlager is poured free for every member of the crowd and every member of the Third Reich from the Sun. It was time to get More German than German and have a dance party. Whatever side of the line you’re on, tonight we’re all Uber Allas.

From the planets, to Europe, to the SS Deathstar we are Heiled from the darkside. HUG can rock any house they march into and bring the Uber Death Party with them, and for tonight they’ve moved to/invaded Columbus.

REVIEW: Signs of Life Turn to the Dark Side…..of the Moon

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Photo by Mike Ritchie

Photo by Mike Ritchie

On Saturday May 4th Cincinnati’s renowned Pink Floyd tribute band played to their biggest audience to date at Hobart Arena. It was presumably one of the happiest days of their lives. Not every band can get up and play precisely pink but Signs of Life www.facebook.com/SignsOfLifePinkFloyd take it a ‘few’ steps further adding a large screen, trippy lighting, sound effects and play PF classics with near perfect clarity and precession to satisfy the most casual to the most critical, die-hard fan. After all when you play Pink Floyd you’re paying tribute to musical perfection and a band you not only see and hear but experience. If that in itself wasn’t challenging enough they celebrated the 40th anniversary of the bands 1973 landmark/legendary Dark Side of the Moon record. Played mid-set in its entirety with several other classics the crowd was treated to a night of mesmerizing audio/visual stimulation.

The bands eighth record, recorded at Abbey Road Studios was to become one of the greatest records of all time selling over 50 million copies worldwide, though only being number 1 for a week, had a 741 week run in billboard charts from 1973-1988. It’s the sixth best seller ever in the UK and shot the band into the stratosphere. Highly regarded for its iconic music and sounds Dark Side in record form was comprised of five continuous songs on each side lyrically representing stages of life including conflict, greed, death and mental health. In its earliest live performances it was called Dark Side of the Moon: A Piece for Assorted Lunatics. The iconic artwork inspired by the bands stage lighting represented the bold but simple design wanted. The band has also stated that the dark side of the moon is not somewhere over the rainbow.

Photo by Mike Ritchie

Photo by Mike Ritchie

Lights went out as Dan Barger walked slowly up through the crowd in the flesh playing clarinet starting the ambiance. Sorry… Pink couldn’t make it out tonight but no worries. Troy, Ohio you wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest Pink Floyd tribute band in the land…. Signs of Life! The marching hammers were released on screen as a large captor plane soared through the dark sarcasm in the arena. The show starts its transcendent musical build toward the moon brick by brick with creepy porcelain baby dolls appearing and falling into the educational abyss meat grinder as all the letters and grades float into place. From the lost youth of school we’re welcomed into the life and mind of the factory accompanied by mechanic thunder and watch the machine’s early new model shine fade as the building blocks of architecture and industry turn off by age, decay, constant repetitive use and neglect.  Silver tipped lights spray the audience shining on like crazy diamonds as serene keyboard wave’s splash over and steam fills the stage with long beams of illumination. They’re a girl’s best friend, especially when pink.

There was no smoking in the building but the lads and ladies treated themselves to a cigar anyway.  The wall continues to loom ascending skyward built by all the young lust calling to see about the great big gig in the sky.  While they wait we’re taken on a swirling mind bending journey through the astronomically divine cosmos. Icy blue lasers permeate the air as loud bass thumps the speaker’s, loud drum beats jolt you from the calming tranquility of the keyboards as blood splatters, glass shatters as the screen’s consumed by metaphorical violence as Jon Stankorb takes a seat slicing guitar notes into little bitty pieces.

Photo by Mike Ritchie

Photo by Mike Ritchie

Slowly the birth of a heartbeat invades the silence; voices and laughter speak to us as we learn to breathe in the air on the Darth side. We’re on the run chasing time before the alarm goes off ticking away the moments that make up the dog days as we hear the beauty of heavens voice in the form of Jennifer Lauletta sing through the air. It’s no secret floating adrift in space without a helmet causes brain damage but the longer you last the prettier the astral colour’s get. Only a lunatic would do it, but if you can last till the eclipse we’ll see you on the dark side of the moon.

After a well-deserved/earned standing ovation the band exited stage but the rowdy crowd brought them back. Encoring with Wish You Were Here, then we all got Comfortably Numb before preparing to Run Like Hell to beat traffic.

The Essence of Pink Floyd is: Jon Stankorb-Lead vocals, lead guitar/lap steel guitar, John Hoerr-bass/ vocals, Tom Bartel-keyboards/vocals/percussion, Tony Sager-drums/percussion, Rich Biondo-Acoustic/electric guitars, Reyna Spears/Akilah Ruiz/Jennifer Laulettas -vocals.  signsoffloyd.com

REVIEW: Zeently Productions Presents Mike Nye Benefit Show

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On Saturday April 27, Zeently Productions presented the benefit show for local musician Mike Nye. Five bands came out to support the cause and play some seriously heavy sh- with Architects of Doom, Forces of Nature, King Stench, Spike Opera and The Reefer Hut alongside a crowd of local talent, friends and fans showing up to support Nye in his recovery.

While hanging out at a fellow musician’s house Nye suffered a freak, fluke injury coming down a flight of concrete steps planting his foot.  His momentum caused an awkward shift resulting in several leg injuries including 2 cracks in the tibia, 1 fibula and a top ankle crack. A halo was placed on his leg with 9 insertion points used to reset bones with wires and three metal rods attached to bones. There’s a 6-8 month healing window expected and Nye hopes to be back to full metal strength ASAP.

Nye’s  been a fixture in the Dayton scene since the late 80’s starting in Killust then playing in the original version of local legends Decay, appearing on Dayton’s Metal Mania public access show then joining Foul Stench, recording 4 CD’s and 3 more with Maximus Crispus.

Architects of Doom (photo by MIke Ritchie)

Architects of Doom (photo by MIke Ritchie)

Within 24 hours of hearing the news, Marc and Shannon Godsey of Forces of Nature booked and organized the event at McGuffy’s including a 2 dollar raffle for CD’s and T-shirts donated by McGuffys, Foul Stench,  King Stench,  Internal Bleeding, Horlet, NDEX, Engraved Darkness, Vein Collector  and Incurable Misogyny. Gift cards were donated by Subway on Linden/Smithville, 4 free drum lessons by Brian Harris at Absolute Music in Fairborn and Randy Gaines offered free body piercing. There was also a silent auction for a 21” Magnavox TV, with remote and table stand donated by Zeently and a HP-PC donated by Dayton Metal Mania.

Not even 24 hours after supporting Fear Factory on the same stage, Architects of Doom played double duty starting the party at 7pm for all the early evening diehards, Amish time for almost any metal band. Tonight they’re playing for ‘stripper money’ and all bets are off when Keith goes shirtless. They’re proud to call McGuffy’s their second home playing One Less Worry and a kick ass version of Sepultura’s Slave New World.

King Stench (photo by Mike Ritchie)

King Stench (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Forces of Nature came to thrash with their brand of clobbering sound. They’re a band that’s cemented a strong following, and they always have lady luck on their side. They play rapturous thrash with legit end of the world cred playing the Dec 21st show last year, playing Reverbnation chuggers Magnus Lee, Rotten Tooth and As Seen on TV among others.

Next up Dayton’s black metal blasphemer King Stench spewed its version of evil incarnate. But even the most dark and sinister forms of the genre aren’t as insidious when used for a good cause, to help out a fellow human. Nevertheless Hell’s Gate opened with a fury as 10 songs of Devastation followed from their available CD’s Ungod and Visions of Death including new tune Eternal Fire. Hell’s Gate, Ungod and Goat Lord can be heard on Reverbnation. Marc Godsey played back to back double sets like a proud sweat stained metal soldier. The music is much like what you feel during those something’s chasing you and your feet are stuck in something/not moving dreams. King’s voice sounds like the last thing you’d wanna hear walking into a dark room.

Spike Opera (photo by Mike Nye)

Spike Opera (photo by Mike Nye)

Springfield’s newly resurrected/regrouped Spike Opera brought a blitzkrieg cacophony of sound to the senses. They’re a little bit punk, a little thrash with the frenetic pace of Slayer and Testament with hints of Yngwie Malmstein and the chaotic structure of black metal. Vocalist Dug Brown has a little bit of John Connely and Chuck Billy in his lungs and blood along with some heavy whiplashed dreads. Their music definitely inspires Blood-N-Bruises and Bloodspray. Leatherface gets a facelift and props on The Saw Is Family with all victims going in The Hearse. Their recording/touring history dates back to the mid-eighties.  After many changes and a long hiatus the planets have aligned, and they’ve returned.

It was time for Confessions Of…A Near Death Experience playing and pulverizing anyone who dared to Talk Sh-. They pulled out the good ole ballpeen Hammer just for audience testing. Recently playing the Earth Day bash, tonight seems like they’d rather pummel and pillage rather than save it.

The Reefer Hut  finished the show with a nice, cool, calm and mellow collection of pleasantries… but seriously, Adam Baumann also pulls double duty Moving Forward until he falls into a coffin and gets gurney out, that’s dedication. With many member changes, good times, hard times they’ve had their share but they have great Inner Pride in their Hardcore Urban sound adding elements of Cypress Hill, tribal sounds and Sepultura/Cavalera Conspiracy.

For all those loyal late nighters who stayed till the end, Shannon Godsey’s mother, Mrs. Rebecca Naylor baked and built a huge 3 layer Foul Stench hardcore delicious sugar bomb cake special for the occasion.

Nye thanks everyone for all the positive support, responses and everything done for the benefit.  “I feel lucky for the support and friendship everyone’s shown”

REVIEW: Fear Factory Brings World Industrialist Tour to Dayton

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On Friday April 26, kings of cyber metal Fear Factory returned to the McGuffy’s stage to assault the crowd with mechanized sounds and metalized mayhem. Bringing the Industrialist to Dayton for human assemblage of skin to skin symbiotic fusion, battle and praise, all models shown obsolete were cast into the drone pit center floor and decommissioned. Tour mates Hate Eternal brought their technically unique death metal onslaught along with Canadian power-metal outfit Kobra and the Lotus helmed by the intriguing Miss Kobra Paige. Local thrash pounders Chambers of Chaos and Architects of Doom opened the show.

Chambers of Chaos (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Chambers of Chaos (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Lighters and Moshpits alumni Chambers of Chaos emerged as the sunglass wearing, middle finger flailing, attitude adjusting, smirking Shaun Clark entered the proverbial staged ring as musical fists flew. Yelling the spoken word Hype train with plenty of pissed off attitude. They end slow, dark and melodic on the Kiss of Goodbye. CoC are not to be Pushed, played around with or pissed off in any way, shape or form. Why, because they said so.

The local architecture of metal continues to forge as Dayton’s designers of doom play their first of a two night stint marking their 5-6 stage appearance. They instigate the Collapse of the Tyrant and deal with that one annoying a—hole that everyone knows. Vocalist Keith Hamilton visits the crowd calling people out making sure they’re having fun. Hamilton resembles a diabolical Nicolas Cage and might have some of Galron’s blood in the family tree so offer him a beer if he’s coming towards you. One less drama queen means One Less Worry. Tonight’s show marked the one year anniversary of Hamilton at the helm. They celebrate with Danny ‘balls and buns of steel’ Doom cranking out the Ritual Punishment finishing off with some hand delivered Bloodshed.

The great white north comes to Dayton in the form of Kobra and the Lotus and the dreadlocked coiled Canadian Miss Kobra Paige, bringing her operatic four octaves to the mic and our appreciative eardrums. Opening with the spellbinding Nightwish’esk Nayana they invite us to their funeral. Decked in war-paint, tribal feathers, leather and lace Paige’s vocals carry the spirit of Tarja Turenun, with a sharper rock edge, encompassing the attitude and bravado of Angela Gossow. We are joined together Forever One in metal as Heavens Veins open a Lotus flood of classical symphonic power provided by guitarists Jasio Kulakowski and Charlie Parra Del Riego. Into their private inner Sanctuary we go for the dark fairy tale shredder 50 Shades of Evil. For the K&L video experience check out Forever One/Welcome to My Funeral/50 Shades on Facebook.

 

Hate Eternal (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Hate Eternal (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Hate Eternal came out bellowing death metal like a dark sonic thunder-blast starting their onslaught with the loud beating heart of Rebirth, blast beating into Haunting Abound and the evil uprising and temptations of the dark one. Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel/Ripping Corpse) wrenches his guitar twisting and mangling sound into a beautiful growling tirade of mind possessing demonic disturbia. They bring hell’s fury on stage as the blazed Phoenix Amongst the Ashes arises to the call of its thunderous skyward summons accompanied by the soaring notes carried on the wind of its wings. They are ye humble Servants of the Gods, as the Art of Redemption is played at a thousand notes and beats a minute. Ancient robed druids roam the forests asking the Powers That Be for answers to the extinction of ancient lost civilizations. After summoning the Fire of Resurrection they finish with the spell-casting, necromancing Monarch. Thunderous guitars with soul screaming notes, echoes and harmonies. It’s quite possible when they play, angels cry and God takes notice. Hate Eternal are the perfect blend for electric chair head-banging.

Fear Factory (photo by Brad Flynn)

Fear Factory (photo by Brad Flynn)

The bio-mechanical factory doors opened with industrial smoke and steam pouring out and the sounds of robotics being gnarled into form permeated the air. Endoskeleton was forged together by assemblage bots and the soul of a new machine was created. West coast lords of industrial cyber-kinetic metal Fear Factory came on stage. The band that made its early career based on the moment Skynet became self-aware was here. Started in 1989, 8 steel shredding albums later including ‘95’s ground–breaker Demanufacture, a slightly different approach of man and machine becoming one on 2001’s Digimortal while 2004 cemented them as the Archetype for other bands of mechanic elk to follow. In later efforts they focused more on government, religion and police states. They’re currently supporting new concept record The Industrialist about a machine collecting memories and the will to exist which will eventually be mankind’s demise.

The voice of the machine pushes through the speakers warning of mankind’s ignorance and destruction. Its four mortal messengers stand before the audience of slave laborers ready to disconnect body parts on command. But be forewarned… due to the graphic nature of this show, listener discretion is advised. The Industrialist begins and the evening’s event in subhuman assembly begins. A familiar Shock to the system hits us next. The Edgecrusher breaks humanity away from the machines, What Will Become? Our ears Linchpin to the onslaught of Dino Cazares’s guitar work. They powershift into government sponsored fear… the mind is fear, a Fear Campaign. Spiked gnarling guitars riffs grind through Recharger as the Smasher/Devourer is deployed to scan and salvage for defectors turning mankind into Martyr’s. The barcode spinal cord snaps, from chains of imprisonment tossed into scrap for Demanufacture as the crowd roars for the classic crowd pleaser. They end with a song of hope about the lone wolf, the human savior, the Self Biased Resistor. Bell’s instantly recognizable vocals range from dry throat scraping, yelling, to harmonious singing. When the world does end, we can only hope they’re around to write about it.