Dokken Back for the Attack at JD Legends

From The Pit – Music and Show Reviews

By Mike Ritchie

From the knees down it looked like the packed house crowd in Franklin could have been sifting through the sands of the West Coast beaches under the warm LA summer sun as JD Legends presented the 80’s metal throw down sponsored by Harley Davidson. Saturday July 11 brought the legendary sunset strip action of Dokken with East Coast players Firehouse and Trixter.

Though commonly linked and lumped into the glam/hair metal category showed that whatever label is bestowed they’re still going strong, outlasting countless others and contemporaries that all tried to ‘make it’ back in the day. Though technically, the first two acts came to prominence in the early 90’s. They played their respective classics, favorites and new material that will remain timeless, proving that the music of the 80/90’s rock scene remains popular, vital and never truly went away.

New Jersey’s Trixter had their first run from the early 80’s to mid-nineties with MTV airtime on Headbangers Ball. After glam temporarily went out and grunge even more temporarily came in, (one of the few ‘hair’ bands that made flannel look fun) they broke up, reuniting in 2008. They opened for Dokken and Firehouse in the early days and for Scorpions and Poison on their first arena run. A second record Hear! followed but failed to catch on in the US with grunge in full swing. After the breakup/reunion New Audio Machine came in 2012 then Human Era this year and they’ve continued to tour since. If nothing else proving their staying power.

They broke out a cut from the machine, showing their still bad boys with a “Heart of Steel.” They were on MTV when it was still cool, making them “One in a Million.” The next tune was a little fast paced and loud for grandma’s chair so they invited certain crowd members on the “Rockin Horse.” Going back to the beginning they stood center stage in the “Line of Fire.”

Motley Crue has their anthem for the working girl but Trixter have theirs for the women that slay and play with ink. “Tattoos and Misery” is the greatest pain and pleasure combo on the market. They went back to ’92 on the “Road of 1000 Dreams” and ended with the Headbangers Ball garage/backroads introduction “Give it to me Good.” More of Trixter at http://www.trixterrocks.com

The original flame that started mid-80’s in Charlotte, exploded in the late 80’s-early 90’s and basically hasn’t stopped since, even outliving MTV’s glory days. The band that was ‘aqua net sprayed’ into the outskirts of the glam/hair scene and won Favorite Heavy Metal/ Hard Rock Artist in 1992 over grunge titans Nirvana and Alice in Chains have continued making new music with extended popularity overseas. They’ve cranked out eight records since 1990 and played a gambit of material acknowledging the early years with healthy doses while proving they’re not ‘nostalgia.’ The Firehouse was ready to sound off.

They set the place ablaze with some hose twisting “Shake & Tumble,” playing the loudest Dear John letter ever, that’s “All She Wrote.” “You’re too Bad” to Hold Your Fire. The tribal drums and arena cry that introduced the world to “Rock on the Radio” Firehouse style hit the speakers. Since 80’s rules applied that night with every hard rock thumper they needed a tender ballad follow up. Cue the keys and the bad boy soft side “When I look into your Eyes.”

“Mama didn’t raise no Fool,” taking the first page from chapter 3 she told you “Love is a Dangerous Thing.” Keyboard synth and acoustics ushered in “Hold Your Fire.” The lovely brunette with the smoking house match suggested “Don’t Walk Away.” With half a decade from formation to success, they’re a self-proclaimed “Overnight Sensation.”

The satin sheets breathed from the synth, as sterling acoustics accompanied the waving hands, smiling faces and dancing bodies. As one of the last power ballads to be used on mix tapes proclaimed, I’ve finally found the “Love of a Lifetime.” They “Reach for the Sky” one more time saving the last shot for their video introduction “Don’t Treat Me Bad.” More at http://www.firehousemusic.com

Unfortunately a rushed schedule/technical difficulty reared its head multiple times during Dokken’s set, affecting the sound, band delivery and his voice on certain songs. They coped, performing through the various issues, apologizing several times as the show must go on. Though they stopped mid-tune on the “Tooth and Nail” encore from equipment problems they played many of their catalogue hits and staples.

From the sunset strip came “The Kiss of Death” as Dokken dressed in black and sunglasses brought back the classic 80’s, 90’s and beyond. They played and plunged “Into the Fire” as guitarist Jon Levine tore/shredded through the long haired history books with the spirit and energy of Randy Rhoads. They spit more Tooth and Nail on “You just got Lucky.” Dokken grinned, “See if you remember this one.” The glove tapped our ear taking a nightmarish trip back to Springwood as Millard Drive became Elm Street and the “Dream Warriors” came back.

They broke out the chains then got a little bit Dysfunctional on “Too High to Fly.” Paris burned bright in the night sky. With a chill of the cymbals the slow, somber chords played out as the stage went cold emotional blue and lighters, cell phones and camera’s lit up ‘the beach’ for the arena anthem. The crowd sang along happy to be “Alone Again” in the moment.

They took a few more turns from Under Lock and Key. The symbolic rain fell on the hot clear night during “In my Dreams.” Then the long flat-bed semi pulled out for a nostalgic trip down Sunset Strip and the boulevard of broken dreams on “It’s not Love,” sandwiching in a Free classic for the old-schoolers.

 

 

 

More Dokken at http://www.dokkencentral.com

JD Legends : http://www.facebook.com/jdlegendsconcerts

All images by Mike Ritchie

Read more from the pit articles and reviews by Mike Ritchie on his web site www.coveringthescene.com

 

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Angelic Voice sings Songs from the Darkness

An exclusive Interview with Allie Jorgen of Le Reverie on her career, her music and what lies ahead for her band.

In the world of music, there are many talented artists that bring us songs of the deepest sorrows to the highest feelings of joy and excitement. It has been my luck to meet and know many of these talented artists, but, in truth, none excite me more than the Ladies of Rock. In a world dominated by men since it started, the Heavy Metal world is full of long haired Adonis types that would make you believe that the Vikings have landed or the devil walks the brightly lit stages of Hollywood. But in recent years, women have been talking the stage, not just because of gimmicks or revealing outfits, but because of their true talents and their courage to perceiver.

One such artists is Allie Jorgen of Le Reverie, her angelic voice masters the emotion and the microphone with a sublime vocal range and the music of a band that emanates mastery of the art.

In the following interview, I had the pleasure of collecting her thoughts on her life, her career and the future of a group that has lived a dream that so many pursue, yet so few obtain, and the fact is that what she has done is apparently only the beginning. Allie Jorgen is not just a leading lady, but proof of a woman’s power to succeed both on and off the stage.

Q: When did it all start for you, the desire to sing and perform, and when did you know that you would create a sound that is uniquely your own?

Allie: I have been singing for as long as I can remember. My mother was a singer and we always had music around the house. My mother and father also wrote music for TV Commercials and when I was around 5 years old they recorded me singing in the background for a candy commercial and that was how it all started. My mother used to sit at the piano and I would sing simple melodies to her and she would show me how to play them on the piano, from there I began writing my first songs.

Q: Would you say that the hard rock and metal scene has opened up to women in the music world, or is it still only a place where few women with great courage, like yourself, can only thrive?

Allie: The music industry has definitely embraced women in Hard Rock and Metal recently, as there are many great female vocalists and musicians on the scene right now. But it was a rough road in the beginning and the door was opened by a few strong and innovative Hard Rock and Metal Females, Ann Boleyn of Hellion, Lita Ford and Joan Jett of The Runaways, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and Doro of Warlock, just to name a few. The world of music was controlled and dominated by men back then and these females were told that Hard Rock and Metal were not for women. But these female artists proved that they could rock the world stages and the crowds accepted them as they accepted all their male idols.

Q: Thinking of your band, how long until you came upon artists that sought the same in music and shared your vision of creativity?

Allie: It is always difficult to find other musicians and artists that share your same vision. We were extremely fortunate that we found a keyboard player (The Mysterious “O”) who was looking to start a “Gothic Rock” band at the same time we were looking to start one. His vision and songwriting style is a huge part of the Le Reverie sound. We were also extremely lucky to find such a unique guitar player that was able to write songs in our unusual writing method (the songs start on the drums) and create such great riffs and song structure that they inspired me to write the stories, melodies and vocal lines that created the songs on the “Dark Symphony” CD.

Q: As well as being a fabulous singer, you also write and cover the LA Music scene. How is it seeing the nighttime world from both sides of the stage?

Allie: Thank you. I have to admit that I had no idea how different the world would look from the business side of music. I am the Sr. Journalist and one of the Editors of the Online Magazine, LA Metal Media, as well as a Video Journalist and Artist Interviewer. It has been a really interesting journey. I understand the passion and frustration of the Artist, as well as the chaos and constant changing environment that the business side of the music industry is going through.

Q: Among your many triumphs, you have recently been instrumental in the creation of a movie soundtrack, what was it like to pen Le Reverie's Song "The Dream" that would lead off the movie Lake Eerie?

Allie: Well, the interesting thing about our song, “The Dream” is that it was written well before we even knew about the movie, Lake Eerie. It was created in our unique writing style with Roc, laying out the entire song on a drum track and sending it over to our guitar player. Jeff was then inspired by the song structure and wrote the chords and changes, the ‘Mysterious O” helped with some of the structure and put down the keyboard parts.

When they had a structure they all agreed with they gave the copy to me to come up with a story, melody and vocals. I remember that I was just getting over a really aggressive flu and I still had a fever, so everything seemed really surreal. So the song took on that type of a theme. “Is this real or is this a dream?” Le Reverie was the original name of the song (it is French for “The Dream”). The lyrics of the song started off with “Ghostly Figures In The Night” you see all kinds of things when you have a fever.

Almost a year later, we were performing at the Viper Room in Los Angeles, and had our photographer shooting live photos of the show. After the show she mentioned a movie that was currently being filmed that was looking for music, it was a gothic horror film, and she thought our music would be perfect for the movie. She gave them our “Dark Symphony” CD and when the Director heard the lyrics for “The Dream” he said, that we had written the words of the movie and he had to have the song. Maybe there was some kind of connection to him without either of us knowing about it.

Anyway the contracts were signed and the “The Dream” became the theme song for “Lake Eerie.” Le Reverie played at the Cast and Crew Wrap Party at the House of Blues on Sunset, with a huge Red Carpet event and all the stars in attendance. The star of the Lake Eerie Movie is Lance Henrikson who also starred in Aliens, Terminator and Pumpkin Head. Also in attendance was Henry Manfredini, the film music supervisor, who did all the music for Friday the 13^th. It was really an honor to meet all the Cast and Crew of Lake Eerie and become part of “Team Lake Eerie” family.

Incredible thanks go out to the Director, Christopher Majors and Writer and Star of the movie, Meredith Majors for choosing our song and welcoming Le Reverie into their Lake Eerie family.

We are excited to announce the release of the film later this year, with our song “The Dream” over the back credits and they are planning a huge movie premiere in Los Angeles. Stay tuned to http://www.lereverie.com .

Q: Recently there have been many social media posts with you, your band and the legendary group Hellion, will your bands ever perform a double threat on the same stage?

Allie: I met Ann Boleyn at a charity event called Rockers Against Trafficking, and I was actually there as a journalist to interview her regarding the event and her recent release “To Hellion and Back.” I was also there to find out about her new music release which would become the new CD “Karma’s a Bitch”. We talked about the event, which was a great event to raise awareness for all the young women who are kidnapped every year and sold. Ann also talked about the new band and the tour that would support the new CD. Ann is the original ‘Queen of Metal” and it was a privilege to talk to her and find out how it was to be a female in Hard Rock, back before it had ever been done. She is one of the true female leaders in the music industry and LA Metal Media is glad to be a big supporter of Hellion. We invited Ann Boleyn and her guitarist Maxxxwell Carlisle to the Lake Eerie Wrap Party at the House of Blues and Le Reverie was asked to open their Halloween show last October at Paladinos, the show was called “Halloween with Hellion”, and it was great to be able to share the stage with such a great band!

Q: What would you say is your most precious moment in music so far, and what can we expect from Le Reverie in the future?

Allie: There have been so many great moments, but we are really excited to have our song “The Dream” as the theme song for the film Lake Eerie. We were also honored to be part of the Hellion Halloween Party last year, and we were fortunate to be able to play the Grove in Anaheim and open the show for Prong. We were also able to reach people worldwide with our music, and to receive emails from people saying that our music helped them on some level is really extra special.

There are some interesting things going on with Le Reverie at the moment. We were asked to create some Heavy Blues Rock songs, which are a little different from our CD “Dark Symphony”, but we all have heavy blues rock roots, so it has been an interesting project.

We will also continue to write our Gothic Rock songs, as they seem to be the perfect fit for the Horror Film Genre, and we were actually told one of our songs would be a fit for a James Bond Film.

Q: If you could tell our readers anything at the moment, what would it be, please let us know what you are thinking.

Allie: There are so many people that I would like to thank, all of our friends and people that follow the band, people that we have met and work with LA Metal Media Magazine. Xombiewoof Magazine for all that you do to keep the music scene alive with the great features and interviews on Artists, I have learned a lot about other Artists from your magazine.

Our publicist, Doug Deutsch, who has been with us through all the highs and lows, one of the most important things I have learned is not to fear change. I used to never want to deal with change, but it is inevitable, you cannot stop it or ignore it, so I had to learn how to embrace it. Everything is changing, the Music Industry on the business side and the face of music in general. Do what you love, what is in your heart, and don’t be afraid to be different. Send your message out to everyone, because you never know who might be listening.

I would entreat you to check out the music of Le Reverie at http://www.lereverie.com , I am thrilled to be a supporter of Allie Jorgen, her music and the future of all great music everywhere. Special thanks to the band and their management, Doug Deutsch and everyone that made this article possible.

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Rudy Sarzo interview on WVOX in NYC

Rudy Sarzo, the master Bassist of Heavy Metal lore will be on WVOX 1460 AM / Worldwide WWW.WVOX.COM on Friday, August 7 at 9:15pm in EDT

International iconic, pioneering musician RUDY SARZO of OZZY OSBOURNE , QUIET RIOT fame and much more will talk with me in a rare worldwide interview on WVOX's Metal Mayhem show in New York on the first Friday in August at 9:15pm EST via WWW.WVOX.COM and 1460 AM.

You'll hear RUDY SARZO candid, up-close like never before...

Visit WVOX EVENT on Facebook to note Calendar

 

 

 

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Something so right in a World Gone Wrong

 

Music Review of Black Valentine’s recent release World Gone Wrong

Available online at CDBaby, iTunes and Amazon

Music Review by Joseph Timmons: Xombiewoof Magazine

Find Black Valentine Online and on Facebook

 

World Gone Wrong is not just another Metal album of belligerent rants and dark demonic haze, nor is Black Valentine just another Metal band. The Black Valentine sound has a dynamic range and depth that can pack a venue in a blink and get the heart pumping. With a street cred that already has them in the public eye, they stand poised to make the music scene vibrant once more, serious art here no poser action, one word to describe Black Valentine… “REAL”!

Black Valentine has been through the mire of the Hollywood music scene, paid their dues and has risen to the top of the indie metal scene with a kick ass take no prisoners approach, through it all they have the sound that is proof of their enigmatic and haunting presence and a sound that beckons and holds you steady. Black Valentine is Jeff Knemeyer, Frank Yanno, Chris Colovas and Jesse Wolff , all highly talented artists, yet together a powerhouse that demands respect.

Black Valentine is a true testament of perseverance, hard work, and dedication and the countless hours of writing and rehearsing has paid off on their debut album, World Gone Wrong. Drenched in attitude, these 13 tracks inject what has been missing from today’s rock scene. Emotions on the record range from aggression and anger to hurt and pain, from frustration and discontent to determination and resolve on diverse topics such as politics, the economy, religious corruption, and personal daily struggles. Each track literally screams what most of us have felt and thought - wrapped up in perfectly accessible and catchy Songs delivered with exceptional musicianship.

My favorite tracks on this epic collection are World Gone Wrong, Salvation Game, Sands of Time, Masquerade, Black Valentine and Breathe. I would like to say the entire album has a conquering presence, but these tracks stand out the most and offer a full look at the bands ability to go from one end of a music spectrum to the other with a flawless glide.

Check out this video for Masquerade and you will see and hear what I mean when I say glorious!

 

 

 

You can find Black Valentine at CdBaby, Amazon, iTunes and all the best online services, but you have to see them live, a true don’t miss experience!

Happy Black Valentine’s Day !

 

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BUMBLEFOOT to Make Rare Live Appearance on WVOX's Metal Mayhem Show In NY!

Legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, Bumblefoot will appear on Matthew O'Shaughnessy's New York WVOX Metal Mayhem show on Tuesday, June 30th at 10;10pm EST worldwide via WWW.WVOX.COM and 1460 AM locally. The acclaimed musician unleashed his 10th CD Little ''Brother Is Watching'' this past February and talks about his own life and coming to grips with beginnings, endings and moving on.

Bumblefoot has been invading eardrums and making music for over two decades, and as lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses has toured sold out shows all over the world.

He also works with U.S. embassies around the globe on cross-cultural music programs, and works with several international charities visiting orphanages and children's hospitals with his guitar in hand.

''This is another unmistakable milestone in my 32-year heavy metal broadcasting career...I am honored and beyond excited to have Bumblefoot live in studio 1A with me during WVOX's Metal Mayhem soon.  He is one of the quintessential role models for all guitar players." exclaims host Matthew O'Shaughnessy

 

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WVOX's Metal Mayhem unleashes Obituary's Terry Butler In Feature Interview This Friday!

Brandon, Florida death metal gods Obituary will have Terry Butler talk with WVOX Metal Mayhem host Matt O'Shaughnessy this Friday on his long-running New York Radio show at 8:10pm EST worldwide on WWW.WVOX.COM and 1460 AM locally.

The thrash guru will discuss the very latest Obituary album, current tour plans and much, much more during the exclusive live interview.

" This is certainly one of the highest points in my 32-year heavy metal broadcasting career having Terry on the show!" comments host Matthew O'Shaughnessy.

DEVIL CITY ANGELS SIGN WITH CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS–DCA To Dominate !

DEBUT ALBUM TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 18TH - RUDY SARZO JOINS ON BASS !

Devil City Angels, the band originally formed by Rikki Rockett (Poison), Tracii Guns (L.A Guns), Eric Brittingham (Cinderella), and vocalist Brandon Gibbs, has signed a worldwide deal with Century Media. Their debut self-titled album was produced by the band in Los Angeles and mixed in Nashville by Anthony Focx.  The album is scheduled for worldwide release on September 18th.  Following the recording of the album, bass player Eric Brittingham decided not to continue with the project and his spot has been taken by Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake).

The band just completed a video for their first single Boneyard. The video was shot in Los Angeles and directed by Marco De Molina. The video will debut in early July.

Devil City Angels online:

https://www.facebook.com/DevilCityAngels

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Metal Icons Scorpions' Legendary “Virgin Killer” Album To Be Released On Limited Edition 180gm Vinyl!

“Truly one of the revolutionary, early heavy metal albums.”

Metal icons Scorpions' legendary “Virgin Killer” album will be released on limited edition 180gm vinyl by Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity in April. “Virgin Killer” is the first of four studio releases that really defined the Scorpions and their highly influential urgent metallic sound. It was released in 1976 and was the first album of the band to attract attention outside Europe. The album was a step in the band's shift from psychedelic music to hard rock. For the first time in the band's career the line-up stayed the same with Klaus Meine on vocals, Uli Jon Roth on lead guitar, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, Francis Buchholz on bass, and Rudy Lenners on drums. The nine tracks were laid down with Dieter Dierks producing.

The band is in top form and churns out some melodic yet blistering heavy rock. “Virgin Killer” is full of heavy songs and exceptionally, fast, innovative guitar leads by Uli Jon Roth. These songs are infectious and the Jimi Hendrix comparisons are endless, especially the sound of the thunder-heavy riffs and grooves on Uli's "Polar Nights" guitar solo that make it a classic.

“Virgin Killer” should have made the band superstars, but since metal was still very much an underground movement, the Scorpions would have to wait until the 1980's when the band cranked out their first hits. The metal is so clear cut and state-of-the-art on this historic recording and distinctly draws the line of what was classic hard rock and true heavy metal. 

“Virgin Killer” is simply essential listening; a landmark album for the genre's development that made Uli Jon Roth a guitar legend.

TRACKLIST:
1. Pictured Life
2. Catch Your Train
3. In Your Park
4. Backstage Queen
5. Virgin Killer
6. Hell-Cat
7. Crying Days
8. Polar Nights
9. Yellow Raven

Mastered for this vinyl release by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

For more information: https://audiofidelity.net/product/scorpions-virgin-killer-lp

MEGA ROSTER OF TALENT WILL GRACE THE BONZO BASH, RANDY RHOADS REMEMBERED AND ENWISTLE/MOON: THE OX & THE LOON STAGES TO COINCIDE WITH NAMM 2015

Bonzo Bash confirms drummers for California Music Fest - Tichy/Sutton Productions with Ludwig-Musser Drums and Percussion as main sponsor! Jan. 2015 - Santa Ana, CA.

After much-hyped speculation, Tichy/Sutton Productions is pleased to announce the first round of artists who will be participating in the inaugural California Music Fest at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA in January 2015.  For three nights, some of music’s most prolific artists will come together and pay tribute to their heroes for a legendary weekend of music and madness.

With Bonzo Bash creator Brian Tichy newly endorsed by Ludwig-Musser Drums and Percussion, the legendary Ludwig is revealed as the main sponsor of the 2015 Bonzo Bash!

Led Zeppelin's John Henry "Bonzo" Bonham is consistently regarded as the #1 drummer in rock. Bonham played Ludwig drums his whole career and his name is synonymous with Ludwig. Having Ludwig sponsor Bonzo Bash gives an added authenticity to the celebration! Tichy / Sutton Productions is very excited to have the two entities come together, all in the name of John Bonham!

Producers Brian Tichy and Joe Sutton have been creating unique celebration concerts for the past several years, and have now combined them into one weekend of music and madness to coincide with NAMM January 22, 23 & 24, 2015.

Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 kicks off with Bonzo Bash. This was the first of these shows that Tichy & Sutton have produced, with the first one taking place in April 2010, on the 30th anniversary of Bonham’s passing.  They have since taken the show to both coasts, with California Music Fest 2015 sure to be the mightiest one yet. The show highlights the industry’s top drummers playing their favorite Led Zeppelin tunes. Tichy/Sutton have taken this Bonzo Bash one epic step further by including all 4 Ludwig drum kits Bonham used throughout his career with Led Zeppelin.  Each drummer will be accompanied by house band The Moby Dicks.

The following artists have been confirmed to participate in this year’s Bonzo Bash:

• Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / John Fogerty / Smashing Pumpkins)
• Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
• Joe Franco (Good Rats / Twisted Sister)
• John Hummel (Lady Gaga)
• Brandon Kachel (Barbarian Overlords)
• Corky Laing (Mountain / Bonzo Bash Legend Award Recipient)
• Dave Lombardo (Slayer / Philm)
• Robert Mason (Warrant)
• Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction)
• Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs / Dream Theater)
• Gregg Potter (The Buddy Rich Band)
• Dizzy Reed (Guns N' Roses / The Dead Daisies / Hookers & Blow)
• Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow / Black Sabbath)
• Matt Starr (Ace Frehley / Mr. Big)
• Todd Sucherman (Styx)
• Jason Sutter (Marilyn Manson / Foreigner / Chris Cornell)
• Mike Terrana (Rage / Yngwie Malmsteen / Tony Macalpine)
• Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol)
• Franklin Vanderbilt (Lenny Kravitz / Stevie Wonder / Chaka Khan)
• Phil X (The Drills / Bon Jovi)

The Moby Dicks are: Michael Devin (Whitesnake), Stephen LeBlanc (Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Exp.), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol), Chas West (Bonham), Brent Woods (Vince Neil / Sebastian Bach).

Friday January 23rd, 2015 the madness continues with Randy Rhoads Remembered, a celebration of the brilliant and original Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads. Tichy and Sutton created this event in 2013 after agreeing Randy Rhoads surely deserved recognition for his musical impact. They are both huge fans of Rhoads’, and Tichy himself played with Ozzy Osbourne. Randy’s brother Kelle performs and his sister Kathy Rhoads, shares her stories making this a very touching and personal experience for all involved.

The following artists have been confirmed as participants in Randy Rhoads Remembered:

• Kathy Rhoads D’Argenzio
• Michael Devin (Whitesnake)
• Dave Ellefson (Megadeth)
• Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne / Firewind)
• Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake / Night Ranger)
• Nik Kai (Kemical Kill)
• Stephen LeBlanc (Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Exp.)
• Kiko Louriero (Angra)
• Marzi Montazeri (Philip H. Alselmo & The Illegals / Marzi Montazeri’s Heavy As Texas)
• Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob / Tred)
• Mitch Perry (Cher / Edgar Winter)
• Kelle Rhoads
• Rowan Robertson (Dio / DC4)
• Janet Robin (Student of Randy Rhoads / Lindsey Buckingham)
• Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne / Quiet Riot / Whitesnake / Queensryche)
• Jeff Scott Soto (Journey / Talisman)
• Alex Skolnick (Testament / Alex Skolnick Trio)
• Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne / Ronnie James Dio / Billy Idol)
• Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol)
• Chas West (Bonham)
• Brent Woods (Student of Randy Rhoads / Vince Neil / Sebastian Bach)
• Phil X (The Drills / Bon Jovi)
• Roy Z (Halford / Bruce Dickinson / Tribe of Gypsies / Glenn Hughes)

In addition to this lineup, there will be some very specials guests - some will be announced and some won’t, so stay tuned!

Rounding off the weekend is the 2nd installment of Entwistle/Moon: The Ox & The Loon, a salute to The Who’s John Entwistle and Keith Moon. Tichy and Sutton first put this show on in April of this year at House of Blues on Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, and it was met with rave reviews. This show features renowned bassists and drummers getting together to celebrate rock’s mightiest rhythm section. This will be the 3rd and final show of California Music Fest taking place on Saturday, January 24th, 2015.

The following artists have been confirmed for Entwistle/Moon: The Ox & The Loon:

• Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp / John Fogerty / Smashing Pumpkins)
• Veronica Bellino (Jeff Beck)
• Phil Chen (Rod Stewart / The Doors)
• Michael Devin (Whitesnake / JBLZE)
• Corky Laing (Mountain)
• Dave LaRue (Joe Satriani / Steve Morse / Flying Colors)
• Stephen LeBlanc (JBLZE)
• Dave Lombardo (Slayer / Philm)
• James LoMenzo (BLS / White Lion / Megadeth)
• Robert Mason (Warrant)
• Sean McNabb (Don Felder / Sons of Anarchy)
• Marco Mendoza (The Dead Daisies / Thin Lizzy / Whitesnake)
• John Moyer (Disturbed / Adrenaline Mob)
• Marty O’Brien (Lita Ford)
• Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction)
• Mitch Perry (Cher / Edgar Winter)
• dUg Pinnick (KXM / King’s X)
• Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs / Dream Theater)
• Joseph Pusateri (John Entwistle Band)
• Joe Retta (Sweet / Heaven & Earth)
• Rowan Robertson (DIO / DC4)
• Van Romaine (Steve Morse / Enrique Iglesias)
• Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne)
• Matt Starr (Ace Frehley / Mr. Big)
• Brian Tichy (Whitesnake / Foreigner / Ozzy Osbourne / Billy Idol)
• Chas West (Bonham)
• Brent Woods (Vince Neil / Sebastian Bach)

More artists for ALL shows will be announced soon, so keep an eye out!

Tickets available now!

California Music Fest Three Day Pass:

www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5420745&pl=observatory

Individual show tickets available at: Bonzo Bash:  1.22.2015 - www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5420725&pl=observatory

Randy Rhoads Remembered:  1.23.2015 - www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5420625&pl=observatory

Entwistle / Moon: The Ox & The Loon: 1.24.2015 - www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5420715&pl=observatory

Limited VIP packages available at www.Californiamusicfest.com

Facebook pages:

• www.facebook.com/CaliforniaMusicFest
• www.facebook.com/BonzoBash
• www.facebook.com/RandyRhoadsRemembered
• www.facebook.com/EntwistleMoon.OxLoon
• www.facebook.com/randyrhoads.society

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Oddbody’s Host UD Metal Conference after Show with Alex Skolnick

From The Pit – Music and Show Reviews

By Mike Ritchie

There was an addictively contagious energy in Oddbody’s on Saturday November 8th. Maybe it was due to the night being the top off, after party to three days of multi diverse and cultural information given by respected academic scholars at the University of Dayton on the global impact and culture of metal music and its growing community of supporters.

Maybe it was because each of the three bands that performed on stage were handpicked from a group of over a dozen hopefuls from around the state to play for a crowd of appreciative metalheads and also….because one of the distinguished conference guests of the day was in attendance to watch them throw down.

The three full days of lectures and presentations were a true international experience for the 85+ in attendance. With 32 of the 36 presenters being from esteemed collegiate institutions bringing their knowledge and expertise to the eyes and ears of over 50 undergraduate/graduate students and a few select pillars of the local community.

Seven countries were represented including the US, England, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Puerto Rico with Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Utah, Missouri, Texas, California, Florida and Illinois also represented.

Over the course of the conference over 40 attendees averaged each presentation so all information brought and taught was welcomed, wanted and assimilated by ‘suit and tie guys’ and ‘long haired metal heads’ possibly at the same table. Mr. Skolnick averaged the biggest audience with over 50. The film March of the Gods on opening night drew 32 attendees and the art exhibit "Mask: Face Paint, Head Coverings, and Masks in Popular Culture" drew approximately 35 for the formal showing plus more during the week.

Conference topics included: "Queer Metal Matters: Metal, Sexuality, and the Future", Metal and Religion, Community and Metal, Extreme Metal and the Aesthetics of Community, Metal Under Totalitarianism, Metal and Culture, Cultural Legitimation of Metal, Metal and Education, Metal to the Extreme, Women and Metal, Metal as Performance, "Louder Education-Alex Skolnick," Defining Metal, and "Heavy Metal: A Business, A Lifestyle, Past, Present, Future"

It’s not every day an Ohio band gets to play a show with a man who’s traveled and performed on the world’s stages with the roaring bellow of Chuck Billy and Bay Area thrash legends Testament. A man many on stage with a guitar idolized and many within the crowd grew up head banging and moshing to his music. On the evening of Saturday November 8th, Alex Skolnick was at Oddbody’s.

The event helped raise money for Project Read of Dayton and the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Each band played with sincere strength, passion, energy and vigor representing their scene and the Ohio scene as a whole. As the night progressed the musicians performed as if standing in front of a packed, screaming arena.

Cleveland’s Lick the Blade brought the second coming of Iron Maiden from the north with the soaring, searing Ted Anderson hitting Manowar pitch notes with a power metal groove. Dayton reps Engine of Chaos brought the middle ground dividing the night with a slower, smoother bluesy groove mixed in its Dio meets Cornel Seattle sound and finished with the always intense mammoth thrash attack of Forces of Nature.

An arena sized passion was present and played from the beginning with a collective unity showing visitors from other cities, states and countries what Dayton can deliver.

Cleveland’s Lick the Blade brought the modern day classic sound of Iron Maiden mixed with power metal sounds and the endlessly high octaves of vocalist Ted Anderson who ranged from Dickinson, to Halford to Tate peaks. Formed in 2004, they decimated locally, going through a few member changes before acquiring Anderson and songwriter/guitarist Brian French. Signing with Cleveland based metal label Auburn Records in 2006 they released their debut Graveyard of Empires in 2009. From growing popularity overseas they were invited to perform at the sold-out Headbanger’s Open Air Festival in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. “Royal Blood,” from Graveyard, earned spots on compilation CDs from both Germany’s Heavy and Poland’s Hard Rocker magazines and Lick The Blade was voted “Best Metal Band of 2009″ in Cleveland Scene magazine’s 2010 issue of its annual “Cleveland Music Awards” feature. They’ve opened for Loudness, Exodus, Vader, and 3 Inches of Blood and more currently with a certain amount of musical irony, former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley. Their second album The Sun and Time is out now.

The “Mark of Nero” opened with galloping guitars as Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens aka Anderson owned on old school early Dickinson era maiden. There was history in them riffs on “Guns, Germs and Steel” as they went back to the Di’Anno club days when Eddie was just a face on a sign. They headed back to the inspiration of Ra and the Powerslave era on “Blood-Soaked Majesty.” The chalice runneth over with glorious crimson on the celebration table. “Voyage of the Damned” could be their “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” as the ship traveled through the sea of madness through murky fog, where spirits of dead pirates waited to steer their vessel a foul.

A majestic opening with Anderson singing a soft wail of woe of land not seen till forever’s end. “Twilight of the Idols”, it’s metaphysical with twilight in the sky of the ancient and eternal idols. The hooded Charon the Ferryman made an appearance, pointing his oar to all souls looking for transportation after adding to his pouch of coins. “Charon’s Obol” gave protection to the soul with safe passage to the next world. Album title track “The Sun and Time” was next followed by “Thanatos” bringing the death of us all riding the battle plight of “The Trooper.”

Engine of Chaos came out ready to deliver the midsection of the night’s metal from Ohio selection with a set heavy with jam, groove and blues. Sirens went off as guitar reverb filled the speakers and bass thundered in. The first crunch of the almighty riff hit with the thunderous melodic yell of Scott Toops. Title track from Uncover the Bones brought forth some dirty buried secrets straight from the depths of Nola, LA. They went down with conformity playing the warriors call, marching with stained feet from “Blood on the Shore.” The guitars got slow, moody and melodic with their own super-“Unknown.”

The silence of the swamp was mucked up and smashed by the “Tug River” as watery guitar notes slithered down the river like hissing snakes venom. The bouncy thrash infused blues of “The One” was fused and followed by the dark tale of the “Deceiver.” Some bitches were born to deceive.

They got a lil’ Sabbathy on the “Change” then the premiere of the new/unreleased “Dream the Past.” Dude Mounts guitar chugged and marched with searing notes, telling them God-Damned “Lies.” “7 Demons” finished up the set with special guest vocalist Joseph Palmer.

Then a special encore happened with the world renowned guest guitarist. “This song needs no introduction. If you’re a metalhead you’ll know this.” Toops proudly proclaimed. “Are you guy’s metalheads out there? Are you mother------‘s metalheads out there?” The opening notes of one of the greatest metal anthems began. “I wanna hear ya Dayton Ohio, get the f- up off your chairs (in the back) and get up here!” Tonight Dayton gathered in their masses, to see Alex Skolnick on stage, shredding Sabbath, kicking our asses.

Forces of Nature came forth and played with the power and passion of the gods and goddess’s. Marc Godsey took the mic speaking with genuine, heartfelt emotion about how incredible the last few days had been, the knowledge gained at the conference and the feeling of true love, unity and dedication displayed by the local scene. Not to mention meeting one of your guitar idols and being on stage with him. He stamped the statement with “and I CAN’T WAIT to play this set.”

The opening iron welding riff and yelling notes of “Magnus Lee” shot out of Jimmy Rose and Marc Godsey’s guitars laying inflamed ground work for Tate Moore’s screeching serpent’s tongued dark demonic delivery. It was a sharp, hard punch to the face with a warm hello, saying we’re here, now f-----g pay attention! It started raining blood in the “Forest of Corpses” from a lacerated sky. Drums hit guitars grinded and riffed upward in a tale of tortured self-hate. Mary’s one messed up bitch, in a moshed up f’n mess.

“Throwing Fists” in a cage or a concert, you’ll get hit back either way… and the cage is safer. Drums tapped ushering in the ram-rodder guitars smashing TV’s with wrecking balls, sledgehammers and other hardcore fist shaking plunder. It’s the only way to get that crap off “A.S.O.T.” “Nevermore” slows it down ‘a bit’, enough for a short pit-break before your personal “Apocalypse” comes on reentry. Get ready you stupid, stupid, stupid son of a bitch! Rose shined on the six minute instrumental opus “Dark Carnival” bringing the addictive emotional darkness and thrash poetry from his fingers. Something wicked as shit, this way came. The heavy pair of double D’s was shown in public again with “Deception” and “Devices.”

After the show Rose got his guitar neck signed by Skolnick and enjoyed a few surreal, inspirational moments with the guitar legend as did other members of Forces and other audience members throughout the evening.

Read more from the pit articles and reviews by Mike Ritchie on his web site www.coveringthescene.com

More about the amazing and multi-Talented Alex Skolnick at http://www.alexskolnick.com

Visit http://www.oddbodys.com for more great show line ups and see how you can help find a cure, visit http://www.diocancerfund.org

Images by Mike Ritchie

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