Tag: Entertainment

Guitar World Interviews, Music

Guitar World Interview: Gunnar Nelson discusses father’s legacy, James Burton and Scrap Metal

NelsonConsider a world where Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and The Eagles were all regular visitors to your house. A world where George Harrison was literally “Uncle George” who lived next door, and one where Mama Cass Elliott was your babysitter. Now consider guitarist Gunnar Nelson and his brother Matthew, for that was the world they grew up in.  Where most fans could only dream of meeting their musical heroes, the sons of the legendary Ricky Nelson were privy to music royalty nearly every single day of their childhood.

Ricky Nelson’s music (and particularly the guitar prowess of James Burton) has been cited as a major influence for such players as Brian May and Jimmy Page. Proving that the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, the brother’s own 1990 debut album went multi-platinum and spawned the #1 hit, “Love and Affection”.

The Nelson Brothers are currently involved in several different projects. Their recent album; “Lightning Strikes Twice” is a follow-up of sorts to the hugely successful “After the Rain”. They’re also involved in a traveling road show called “Ricky Nelson Remembered” which pays tribute to their late father and his music.

In addition, the brothers are also performing as part of “Scrap Metal”, a show which features the lead singers of popular 80’s bands doing nothing but their biggest hits. Finally, Gunnar and Matthew are working on a brand new Brothers Nelson experience that’s been five years in the making and promises to showcase the duo as a modern day Everly Brothers.

I sat down with Gunnar Nelson to get the scoop on these projects as well as what it was like growing up in a musical household and performing alongside legendary guitarist, James Burton.

What was it like growing up in such a unique musical environment?

I was born too late for my Dad’s first go around in music, but when Matthew and I were becoming musically conscious, it was vintage garden party Stone Canyon Band. I remember my Dad rehearsing in the pool house that was right down the hall. Bob Dylan would stop by the house and George Harrison lived next door; always encouraging him to write his own songs. When Matthew and I were growing up, this stuff was in our house all the time. I mean, these guys were doing what the Eagles wound up doing four years later, but in MY house. [laughs]

Read more of my Guitar World interview with Gunnar Nelson here.

Guitar World Interviews, Music

KRUSH: Bassist Billy Sheehan Discusses New NIACIN Album

NIACIN-CRUSHFrom his early days with Talas and David Lee Roth, to his time spent with Mr. Big and Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan’s has worked alongside some of the giants in music. But, perhaps there’s no better outlet that allows Sheehan to flex his bass muscle than when he’s working on a NIACIN project. After a seven-year hiatus, Sheehan has once again reunited with acclaimed keyboardist John Novello (Chick Corea, Ritchie Cole) and world-renowned drummer Dennis Chambers (Santana, Parliament) to release KRUSH; a tour de force of sonic blues goodness. Combining exceptional musicianship combined with the rich vocabulary of Hammond B3, it’s a sound that also delves into the territories of jazz and rock without being limited by the boundaries of either.

I spoke with Sheehan about the new NIACIN album as well as his days performing with David Lee Roth. He also reminisces about his very first concert experience: seeing Jimi Hendrix.

How did the Krush project come together?

All of us have been busy working on other project, but our schedules finally worked together and allowed us to get together and do some writing. Our writing process is casual and allows us to dig deep into our past. John and I went to his house, sat around and told stories and played and came up with ideas that over time morphed and evolved into songs. Next, we’ll make a demo with simple drums (just to keep time) and then send it off to Dennis and ask him to wave his magic wand on them. Dennis is the greatest musician I know, on any instrument.

How would you describe NIACIN?

We refer to it as “Bluesion”; like fusion only blues based. Whereas normal fusion is either a combination of jazz and rock or funk, this is more blues based fusion with elements of jazz. The B3 is what takes it down that blues road automatically, just because it’s such an essential instrument. I remember there was a time when I was younger where having a B3 in the band was even more important than having a guitar player.

You can read the rest of my Guitar World interview with Billy Sheehan by clicking here.

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: The Frankenstein Theory

FrankensteinPart found footage, part documentary and part Paranormal Activity meets Blair Witch, ‘The Frankenstein Theory’  uses the monster story as the backdrop for an expedition into terror.

Based on the assumption that the classic Mary Shelley novel was really a work of non-fiction, John Venkenheim (Kris Lemche); a descendant of the scientist involved in the original project and now a disgraced and desperate intellectual, funds a quest to the Arctic Circle in an attempt to locate the long lost creature.

Together with a documentary film crew (Heather Stephens, Brian Henderson and Eric Zuckerman), the team meets with a French-Guide (Timothy V. Murphy) who takes them deep into the arctic wilderness where below freezing temperatures, night vision cameras and malevolent cries in the night are just the beginning of the horror that’s in store for them.

Although the notion of the Frankenstein novel being a work of non-fiction may seem a bit far-fetched, by the time the real expedition begins, you as a viewer have already become so caught up in the characters that not only does the idea suddenly sound plausible, but any doubt you have about the creature’s existence is quickly forgotten in your own quest to learn the truth.

Writer and director Andrew Weiner has spent a tremendous amount of time researching the subject and the results show. “If we’re going to operate under the assumption that this event actually happened” Weiner says, “then the question becomes, how could it have happened? I spent a lot of time studying both the novel and Mary Shelley as well as researching 18th and 19th century medical books. Much of what you see in this film (in terms of the research I introduce) is real.”

The characters within the film are believable. From the obsessed and oftentimes whiny Venkenheim to the comedic antics of the film crew on their journey to the North Pole, there’s enough humor mixed in with the horror to keep the story interesting and moving.

Frankenstein purists who might see this film as “blasphemous” should keep in mind that even Shelley herself rewrote several parts of the original story in subsequent editions and often referred to it as the progeny she gave to the world. But “The Frankenstein Theory” is not a remake; it merely uses the classic novel as the backbone of the story.

Horror films are designed to be scary, but aren’t very interesting if that’s all they have to offer. Where ‘The Frankenstein Theory’ really succeeds is by taking the idea of a mundane existence and posing the question, “What if?” By the time you realize the truth, you’re so heavily invested that the answer no longer really matters.

There’s a lot of nuance and details about movies that can easily be missed, and if you’re an observant watcher of ‘The Frankenstein Theory’, there are a few little gems hidden within that can be found with subsequent viewings.  It’s something I  highly suggest you do.

Movie Reviews

Movie Review: Shadow People

ShadowPeopleThe phenomenon of SUNDS (Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome), and the belief that malevolent creatures may be to blame is the basis of the new film, Shadow People. Written and directed by Matthew Arnold, the film stars Dallas Roberts; whose current tenure on the AMC hit TV show “The Walking Dead” is sure to garner interest from horror fans, and rightly so.

Roberts plays Charlie Crowe, a small town radio personality and divorced father trying to juggle his fledgling radio career while attempting to re-establish a relationship with his estranged son.

When Crowe receives a strange call on his radio program one night from a young man fearful of the Shadow People and subsequently dies, it sets into motion the possibility that not only could these manifestations be real, but the story itself could also be news worthy enough to be his golden ticket to the big time. Together with CDC Agent Sophie Lancombe (Alison Eastwood), the pair begins an investigation which ultimately uncovers a dark world and decades long cover-up.

Shadow People explores the actual historical evidence of SUNDS and the real phenomenon of an inverse placebo effect, where the mind can actually kill the body through false belief. Backed by real archival footage from a suspected outbreak which occurred in Kentucky, it uses the “found footage” approach to film making in a new and exciting way by intertwining the story along with actual, real-life participants.

“Shadow People” also stars Anne Dudek (“Mad Men,” White Chicks), and Mattie Liptak (Quarantine 2, The Candy Shop).

What I liked: I enjoyed the mixing of news footage with real world interviews within the context of the story. The combination worked well in not only establlishing the possibility that Shadow People might actually exist, but also calls into question the true power of the mind.

The SUNDS  phenomenon and Shadow People are both interesting topics that have been around for centuries. In Persia they’re called “Bakhtak.” In Japan, they’re the “Kanashibari.”; and in Mexico they’re called the “Subirse el Muerto”. Victims have reportedly been awoken from their sleep to find themselves paralyzed and a noise buzzing in their head while a shadowy figure stands and watches them. Some experts believe that these “appearances” may be tied to SUNDS.

What I didn’t like: Although the combination of footage and interviews is both welcome and appealing, it’s over saturation tends to become confusing and drawn out after a while.

Bottom line:  Although the film tends to drag a bit at times, Shadow People is a film which nicely brings to light the subject of SUNDS and has enough scares and mystery to hold your interest for it’s 88 minute run time.

Shadow People (Rated PG-13) will be released on Blu-ray / DVD on March 19th.

Guitar World Interviews, Music

Guitar World Interview: Warrant Bassist Jerry Dixon Discusses Band’s Legacy and Summer Plans

From his early days playing the LA club circuit, bassist Jerry Dixon saw something in a young up and coming band that piqued his interest. A late night discussion with the band’s guitarist, Erik Turner would soon begin a partnership that planted the seed for one of the most successful hair metal bands of all time. With the arrivals of Joey Allen (guitars), Steven Sweet (drums) and the amazing singer/songwriter Jani Lane, Warrant was soon on the road to stardom.

Having been through many trials and tribulations over the years (most notably, the on again/off again relationship with the Lane, who passed away in 2011), the band has persevered by adding vocalist Robert Mason (Lynch Mob) to the mix in 2008 and released 2011’s Rockaholic, an album on which Dixon summed up his experiences best with the track, “Life’s A Song”.

Warrant

Twenty five years after those early recording sessions for what became the band’s debut album, “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich”, Warrant continues to make music and tour to fans that simply can’t get enough of their melodic, in your face anthemic rock.

Warrant is:  Jerry Dixon (bass), Robert Mason (vocals), Joey Allen (guitars), Erik Turner (guitars) and Steven Sweet (drums).

I spoke with Dixon about the early days of Warrant as well as what the band has planned for the summer. Check out the Guitar World Interview here.

Guitar World Interviews, Music

Guitar World Interview: Stryper’s Michael Sweet Discusses New Albums, Book, Tour

Stryper

Michael Sweet may just be the busiest guy on the planet. For 2013, the Stryper front man has plans for no less than three albums, two tours and an auto-biography. The revival officially begins on March 26th when the band releases the appropriately titled “Second Coming”; a sixteen-song collection of classic Stryper re-records as well as two brand new tracks.

In an era when such “re-makes” are generally frowned upon, Stryper has managed to take their already vintage sound and moved it to a much heavier level. Fans of the band’s first three albums will be blown away with the freshness from “new” versions of songs like “Loud N’ Clear”, “Soldiers Under Command” and “Calling On You”. ‘Second Coming’ also features two brand new Stryper tracks that balance out an already amazing effort and puts the spotlight squarely on Sweet’s own phenomenal guitar prowess.

In addition to the new album, Sweet’s own solo album and auto-biography are planned for release this year. And, if that isn’t enough, Stryper will enter the studio in April to record an album of all new material that will coincide with a summer tour.

Stryper is: Michael Sweet (Guitars/Vocals),  Oz Fox (Guitars), Timothy Gaines (Bass) and Robert Sweet (Drums).

I spoke with Sweet and got the scoop on all of these projects. In addition, he also lets us in on yet another “scary” surprise that he has planned for the end of the year.

What was the genesis for Second Coming?

Initially, we intended to make this record for our publishing company. Usually, people tend to roll their eyes at the thought of doing re-records because you’re already used to the original and sometimes think, “What’s the point?” Typically, it’s hard to recapture the same “magic” that you had on the originals. But what’s cool about these songs and this record is that not only we were able to capture all of the magic from the original songs, but in some ways surpass and add some new magic to them as well. When people hear this album as whole, they’re going to be blown out of the water.

Check out the rest of my Guitar World interview with Michael Sweet by clicking here.

Interview, Music

‘Paralyzed’: Devyn DeLoera Discusses New Single, Rock For Autism and ‘The Voice’

DevynParalyzedInfectious. That’s the one word to describe “Paralyzed”, the new single by former ‘The Voice’ contestant Devyn DeLoera. It’s a song that gets inside of your head and just won’t leave. A follow-up to her time spent on the show, the catchy pop single is available on iTunes as well as many other digital music outlets.

Inspired by the music of Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and Paramore, the beautiful songstress has overcome her childhood shyness and is now forging her own musical path, with confidence.

On April 26th, Devyn will take part in Rock Now for Autism; a benefit concert for Jenny McCarthy’s Generation Rescue and sponsored by Los Angeles Magazine.

I spoke with Devyn about her music and upcoming show. We also discuss her time on ‘The Voice’ and what she has planned for the future.

How did this new single come about and how would you describe it?

A few writers who I’m also friends with knew what kind of style I wanted to do musically and approached me with it. It’s a fun pop song that you can jam out to in your car. [laughs]

Tell me a little about the ‘Rock Now For Autism’ benefit concert.

It’s a great opportunity to really help raise awareness. I’ll be doing an acoustic show and some of my friends from ‘The Voice’ will also be performing as well. We’ll most likely perform original songs and a few cover songs that people are familiar with as well. It will be a great show and I’m excited to be a part of it.

What was the audition process like  for ‘The Voice’?

I originally had a private audition in Austin, and there were about 40 people there. Afterwards, I flew to LA for a week and auditioned for 20 NBC executive producers, which was very scary! [laughs].

After that, there’s a month where you’re busy rehearsing your first blind audition song as well as taping your realty life story. Then, you finally go in one day and do the part where they film the chairs. There’s a big process to it, but it was a great experience. I learned a lot about myself and music and made a lot of friends.

What was going through your mind when those chairs turned around?

It was a like dream. I just remember at the time being so excited because I got who I wanted (Christina). The whole experience was just surreal.

What was it like working with Christina Aguilera?

Christina was great. She was such a great coach and really invested in her team. She was very helpful in helping me find the direction for my career.

What would a typical day with her be like?

Our team was always nervous whenever we would visit her. We did a lot of things for the camera with her and got her opinion about our performances. For being as huge a star as she is, she is such a down to Earth, real person. I remember when I met with her and Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day), they were both laughing and having a great time.  Before the live rounds started, she invited five of us to her house just to hang out and listen to her new album.

DevynDeLoera

Let’s discuss how you had to overcome shyness and build your confidence.

I went through a period in my life where I didn’t like school and thought I didn’t fit in. I was depressed and had issues with making friends. My Mom decided to home school me for a year to help build my confidence and it really helped. After a year, I went back to public school.  Some people might find it hard to believe that I was so shy, but I really was. I still have my shy moments, but nothing like how I used to be. I’m a lot more confident now.

Was there a particular moment when you decided that music was going to be your calling?

I think it was when I got on a stage for the first time when I was nine years old. That’s when I realized it was something that I loved. I decided at a young age it was something that I really wanted to do. Music makes everyone happy.

What’s next for you?

My next plan is to put out another single and then start work on an EP or an album. I also want to start playing shows in LA to gain more confidence and establish my signature. I want to be who I am as an artist and make a career of it.

For more information on Devyn DeLoera check out her Facebook by clicking here
Follow Devyn on Twitter: @DevynDeLoera

Guitar World Interviews, Music

REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin Discusses Latest Tour, Guitars and ‘Hi Infidelity’

REO_RandeeSt.NicholasPowered by the vocals and songwriting of guitarist Kevin Cronin, REO Speedwagon continues to bring its brand of mid-west rock and roll to the masses.

Cronin briefly left the band during the recording of the “Ridin The Storm Out” album, but rejoined in 1976 and has been with them ever since.

Guitarist Gary Richrath, whose signature Les Paul sound became synonymous with hits like “Roll With The Changes” and “Take It On The Run” left the group in 1989 and was replaced by Dave Amato, whose resume includes stints with Ted Nugent and Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi).

REO Speedwagon is: Kevin Cronin (vocals/guitar), Dave Amato (guitar), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Bruce Hall (bass) and Bryan Hitt (drums).

I spoke with Cronin about this year’s “Midwest Rock ‘n Roll Express” tour which brings along veteran rockers Styx and Nugent. We also discuss the Hi Infidelity album and a recent encounter he had with Richrath.

Where did the idea for a “Midwest Rock and Roll Express” originate?

We had always been toying with the idea taking a little bit of our mid-west culture and bringing it around the country.  So last year I called my buddy Tommy Shaw and he was in. Then to find that third piece, Tommy mentioned Nugent (from his ‘Damn Yankees’ relationship). The idea worked out so well last year that we decided to do it all again.

Read the rest of my Guitar World Interview with Kevin Cronin Here

Music

Hotel Diablo Guitarist Alex Grossi Discusses New Video ‘Psycho, California’

hoteldiablo2013 is shaping up to be a busy year for Hotel Diablo’s Alex Grossi. Already one of the hardest-working guitarists around, Grossi also performs with Quiet Riot (which celebrates the 30th anniversary of its monster album “Metal Health” this year). In addition, Grossi mentors other up and coming bands and is also involved in a clothing line with Forgotten Saints.

Grossi first met vocalist Rick Stitch back in 2009 when both were members of Steven Adler’s band, “Adler’s Appetite”. After parting ways with Adler, the duo (along with bassist Mike Duda and drummer Mike Dupke) began writing songs together and formed Hotel Diablo.

It wasn’t long before friend, producer and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke  took notice and asked the guys to come down to his studio and record. It was also no coincidence that the first song they recorded was “Set It Off,” a track that would instantly catapult an entire project.

Pleased with the result, the band ended up doing a total of nine tracks with Clarke at his studio and two additional ones with LA underground producer Matt Starr. The result? Hotel Diablo’s debut album, “The Return to Psycho, California”, an 11-song arsenal of killer riffs and grooves.

Grossi explains the story behind one of the album’s strongest tracks, ‘Psycho, California’. “When we all moved out here to LA from different parts of the world, we were all fresh-faced, young kids. But we quickly discovered how this town can just eat you up and spit you out. This place (LA) has a lot of mythology to it, and that’s really what the song is about.”

When it came time to do a video for the song, the band already had a vision for how they wanted it to be. They joined forces with Emmy-winning director Fabio Jafet (Pitbull, KISS, Enrique Iglesias, Children of Bodom), who was instrumental in helping to capture the true essence of the song. It was an organic process that quickly took on a life of its own.

gilby_4Hotel Diablo recently completed a show at the House of Blues in LA, officially unveiling the new video and following it up with a live performance where they were joined onstage by Clarke himself. Bassist Chris Wyse (The Cult/Owl) also joined the band for the song “Bury You”, which Grossi revealed will be the next video released from the album and will once again reunite them with Jafet.

When asked about the future and working on the next Hotel Diablo video, Grossi is quick to point out his admiration for the director. “Fabio is world-class and the fact that he wanted to work with us was humbling.

Our goal now is to keep the creative momentum going.”

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Click for more on Alex Grossi and Hotel Diablo

Childhood Memories, Life, Music

When I Became A Metal Head: Metal Health

MetalHealthI’m not sure of the exact day, but I can tell you that it was sometime during the summer of 1983. Back when I was but a wee-lad of 13 and innocence was all the rage.

In those days, my father used to like to take my brother and me on drives to visit his friend Hal, who lived in a small ranch about five miles away. In order to get to his house, we would have to take the winding, back roads that wound along the Lehigh, a river which separated our home in Pennsylvania from the New Jersey border.

With windows rolled down, it was always a pleasant drive to Hal’s; particularly on sunny days when (from my vantage point in the back seat of my Dad’s 1977 Malibu Classic) I could take in the beauty of the scenic overlook, smell the honeysuckle in the air and feel the wind rush by my face. Little did I know at the time, but this was going to be one of those special days.

Our visit with Hal that particular day is not something I have any real recollection of. My brother and I were most likely tossing a football around in his back yard while Hal and my father kabitzed about work or something. In fact, it wasn’t until the ride home that I actually had the epiphany that would change my life forever.

We were nearly home and were listening to the local radio station when it came on. At that precise moment, we could have driven right off the road and into the river and I would have been oblivious to it. Once I heard it, I was hooked. The song was “Cum on Feel The Noize” by Quiet Riot and at the time, I had no idea that it was originally a #1 hit for the band Slade ten years earlier. All I knew was that this updated version was the most incredible song I had ever heard in my entire life. Who would have thought that girls rocking boys would have had such an impact on me? It would be the first time that I would ever make a demand of my father. Three words: “Turn It Up!”, to which he thankfully obliged.

I remember we pulled into our driveway and (much to my father and brother’s chagrin), I made them sit there in the car with me until the song was completely over. Back in 1983, there was no way of knowing when I would hear that song again, which in retrospect actually made me appreciate the song even more whenever I did hear it.

I instantly longed to be the one who vocalist Kevin DuBrow put on his shoulders and played the guitar solo instead of Carlos Cavazo. I wanted to be the one standing alongside the thundering bass of Rudy Sarzo and the infectious drums of Frankie Banali. I wanted to be the one to get wild, wild, WILD!

It wouldn’t be long before the album, ‘Metal Health’ found its way into my possession. But Metal Health was more than just an album. It pushed the metal genre into the mainstream and ushered in a new wave of music euphoria for a generation of starving ears. For me personally, the album went much deeper. It actually became a part of me. So much so, that when I started taking proper guitar lessons a year after that drive along the Lehigh River, the very first song I ever learned how to play was ‘Metal Health (Bang Your Head)’. Perhaps it was the reckless abandon of the songs, or maybe it was because Quiet Riot once had Randy Rhoads in its line-up at one time that made the album appeal to me as a guitarist. One of the all time greatest players was once part of the band whose album I now enjoyed. Whatever the reason, I gave up trying to find an excuse for why I liked it long ago. Good music speaks for itself.

I picked this up from Wikipedia: Metal Health was released on March 11, 1983 (thirty years ago), bolstered by the #5 hit “Cum on Feel the Noize” and the #31 hit “Metal Health”. The album is notable for being the very first debut heavy metal album to reach the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 and knocking The Police’s Synchronicity out of #1 spot in the US. Metal Health went on to sell over six million copies and it is considered a classic among heavy metal fans to this day.

On my last day of junior high in 1984, I remember blasting “Cum on Feel The Noize” from the back seat of the big yellow school bus on my boom box. It was my final year before starting high school in the fall, and I felt like a king. Me, James Wood was privy to musical greatness and I just had to share it with the world.

There are certain albums that you instantly bond with, and then there are those that remain with you for a lifetime.