Tuesday, March 4, 2014

MAX MUELLER Interview with Lisa "Sunshine" Svelnys

 

Recently, Lisa "Sunshine" Svelnys caught up with LA Local future Hollywood Rock god, playing all the big places kind of act "MAX MUELLER".

IMG_172166832636665...

Well, this is how the story goes... same story as when she ended up on the phone with Kretz from STP... she was messaged on her Hollywood Rock Underground Television Face Book page...

I Love coming across new talent, Max and I were chatting away on Hollywood Rock and he mentioned that he had a few CD's that he was interested in sending me, I came back from lunch and they were on my desk, turns out Max worked in the next building, in the same city, on the same street, screams "fate" to me, ... He left me 3 CD's, I listened to the first, then skipped to the 3rd, the second song "Camera" caught my ear and I had to listen to it again, again, and AGAIN..  I believe Max's musical capability far exceeds the average, his style is very "listenable", and before I came to any conclusions I figured it was time to sit down and talk with Max, himself.

Lisa "Sunshine" Svelnys, Hollywood Rock Underground TV

 

"Max, How old were you when you knew you couldn't escape from being a songwriter/performer"?

Max- I've known that I wanted to be a musician as long as I can remember. I've never wanted to pursue any other fields. But I would have to say after I joined my first band in high school and played my first real gig, I knew that I could never look back.

IMG_172015234011616What was the first song you ever wrote? How has your style evolved?

Max- It was called "untitled instrumental". I still remember how it goes. I didn't really start writing songs until much later. I just wanted to be a guitar player in a band. Writing songs and singing them never occurred to me. So, when I found myself without a band, I decided that I was gonna put something together to make demos of the songs I had recently started to accumulate, and out of that was born my album "screech". The biggest change in my songwriting has been in point of view. On the "screech" album, a lot of the lyrics were obscure, word play that only really made sense to me in retrospect. Since then most of my lyrics are first person conversational.

Growing up, what bands were you listening to? How did they shape your groove?

IMG_20140228_151120Max-I had hippie parents with good records, so I was very lucky that way. I'm a Beatles fan from birth. As I grew up I was introduced to the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, then Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and later Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. I started playing guitar when I was 6, and those were the artists I cut my guitar teeth on. Later on I joined a band in which I was expected to sing all backups and a third of the night as lead. I took the job and realized "I need to learn how to sing." So I spent all day everyday singing along with CDs while I drove a truck. As loud as I could. I'd get all kinds of dirty looks in traffic, but it needed to be done.

How did your band come together, what does each member bring to the table to make it great?

IMG_20140228_151636Max- My current band consists of Steven J. Flores ("Screamin Steve") on bass and Chris Cotton on drums. I met Steve about 7 yrs. ago at work. He's a guitarist by nature, but was willing to switch to bass in order to play with me. Steve wants nothing more in life than to play on stage. I've never met someone with as much energy and willingness to learn as Screamin. Chris's dad was in a band called POCO, so he grew up around music and musicians. He's been playing since he could walk. What they both bring to the table to me is the ability to understand where the songs are coming from, in a musical sense, and a desire to play to the song, not show everyone how clever the rhythm section is. They understand that the song is everything.

 

Tell us a little about your songwriting process as a band...

Max- We don't really write as a band. I come in with finished songs and tweak them from there. The guys are really good about taking direction and trusting my vision of what the songs should sound like. I'm very lucky that way.

If you were to interview someone that influenced you greatly in rock (dead or alive) who would it be and what would you ask?

Max-  Keith Richards. "How the hell did you manage to write so many songs that mean so much to so many people using 2 chords?" It really is amazing. Follow up question : "are you gonna pass that or what?"

How is this CD different than your previous disks? How would you convey the overall vibe to those interested in giving you a listen?

Max- There are stories behind "Screech" and "Ballad". My first album to be released was "III" because it's actually my 3rd album. "Screech" was recorded entirely in Baltimore in my row-house apartment. Copies were passed around but I never thought to give it a proper release. Nick Bertling, the drummer on "Screech" and "Ballad" asked for a shot at remixing the original 8 track masters. It turned out so well that I decided to put it out. "Ballad" was also recorded in Baltimore, however shortly after completing the recording, there were, um, difficulties with the studio. I thought it would never see the light of day. Fast forward a few years, I had recorded and released "III" and while I was moving, I found a box of CDs that were the complete session backups of all the drums for "Ballad". I re-recorded everything else myself in a very short time, then it was mixed a song a day. I love the rawness of these 2 albums. I think it allows you to hear the songs better. It might not be perfect, but it's real.-

Max to Lisa- I want to thank you for asking me to do this. I know it sounds cliché, but it really does mean a lot to me anytime someone takes an interest in what I'm doing, the likes on Facebook, the small but loyal fan-base we've been developing playing live, all of it. Thanks, everybody.

We have a show at a tiny bar called the Universal Bar And Grill on March 28. It's a really fun place to play. Lankershim in noho, near but not on city walk. See you there!

Website Inc. downloadable pdf booklets for each album is www.maxmuellermusic.com
Facebook.com/Max-Mueller-Music.


Man Overboard Announce The Heart Attack Tour

Man Overboard Announce The Heart Attack Tour

Presented by Alternative Press Featuring Support from Transit, Forever Came Calling and Knuckle Puck

*11 track Tour Sampler Now Available for Free Download at www.theheartattacktour.com*

man overboard japan march 2014 smaller jpeg

man overboard heart attack tour

Man Overboard’s The Heart Attack Tour, presented by Alternative Press Magazine, runs May 20 through June 21 in the U.S. and Canada and features support from Transit, Forever Came Calling and Knuckle Puck.

MO guitarist Justin Collier states: "It has been a while since we have gone out on a headlining tour, but we couldn't be more excited to hit the road and play an extended setlist of songs from Heart Attack, as well as a plethora of songs from our previous releases. If our excitement wasn't already at an all time high, we are bringing our old friends Transit with us. They are a band who's friendship runs deeper than simply playing music, so we are honored to share a month with them around North America. Lastly, it will also be a treat to have Forever Came Calling and Knuckle Puck with us! Song requests are welcome on any of our social networks. See you all at the shows!"

VIP and pre-sale tickets are available now here, as well as a free sampler featuring all bands on the tour. General ticketing will begin Saturday, March 8 at 12 p.m. via the respective venues. You can check out the full list of tour dates and locations below.

 

www.theheartattacktour.com

5/20 - MONTREAL, QB @ La Sala Rosa
5/21 - TORONTO, ON @ Virgin Mod Mob Club
5/22 - PITTSBURGH, PA @ Altar Bar
5/23 - CLEVELAND, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
5/24 - HOWELL, MI @ Bled Fest
5/25 - CHICAGO, IL @ Reggies
5/26 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ The Garage
5/29 - VANCOUVER, BC @ Tom Lee Music Hall
5/30 - SEATTLE, WA @ Chop Suey
5/31 - PORTLAND, OR @ Branx
6/03 - OAKLAND, CA @ Oakland Metro
6/04 - SANTA CRUZ, CA @ Catalyst Atrium
6/05 - LOS ANGELES, CA @ The Roxy
6/06 - SAN DIEGO, CA @ Soma
6/07 - LAS VEGAS, NV @ Henderson Eagle Aerie Hall
6/09 - AUSTIN, TX @ Red 7
6/10 - HOUSTON, TX @ Walter
6/11 - DALLAS, TX @ Trees
6/13 - NASHVILLE, TN @ The End
6/14 - ATLANTA, GA @ The Masquerade
6/15 - ORLANDO, FL @ Backbooth
6/16 - PEMBROKE PINES, FL @ The Talent Farm
6/18 - SPRINGFIELD, VA @ Empire
6/19 - BOSTON, MA @ The Sinclair
6/20 - NEW YORK, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/21 - PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Theater Of The Living Arts

FacebookDefendPopPunk - Rise Records


Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass to Premiere on RFD-TV March 7

Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass to Premiere on RFD-TV March 7
Biggest Legends and Award-Winning Artists Brought Together for Historic Series Release

Country’s Family Reunion (the DVD/Television series that brings America’s most-treasured artists together to reunite and reminisce) will premiere episodes of its latest offering “Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass” beginning Friday, March 7 at 8 pm Eastern / 7 pm Central on RFD-TV and FamilyNet.

Hosted by Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Anderson and 14-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs, this reunion features a cross-section of award-winning and legendary Bluegrass artists, from “finger-pickers,” to “purists,” to “New-Grass” contemporaries. The series includes performances by Dierks Bentley, Dailey & Vincent, The Whites, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent, The Roys (Lee & Elaine), Jerry Douglas, Mac Wiseman, Ramona Jones, Bobby Osborne, Paul Brewster, Ronnie Reno, Doyle Lawson, Sierra Hull, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, The Gibson Brothers and Jesse McReynolds, backed by the genre’s foremost musicians Barry Bales (Bass), Bryan Sutton (Acoustic Guitar), Adam Steffey (Mandolin), Stuart Duncan (Fiddle) and Ron Stewart (Banjo).
 

PREMIERE WEEKEND SHOWTIMES:

  • Friday, March 7:       7 PM Central / 8 PM Eastern*
  • Saturday, March 8:   5 AM Central / 6 AM Eastern*
  • Saturday, March 8:   11 PM Central / 12 Midnight Eastern*

*Check local listings for exact show times

Gabriel Communications is also pleased to announce the highly anticipated release of the entire five-DVD video series "Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass," which documents all the stories, music and magic of one of biggest gatherings of Bluegrass’ biggest and best artists ever assembled on one sound stage. With over 6 hours of awe-inspiring content guaranteed to delight music fans everywhere, this 5-disc series is now available online at cfrvideos.com, or by calling 800-820-5405.

“The moments we have captured have been unbelievable,” explains Larry Black, creator of the series. “At this reunion, there’s a true reverence by everyone in the room—it is a celebration of sorts for the legendary artists who have built the foundation of the genre and those who will move it forward in the years to come.”

For a limited time, Gabriel Communications is offering fans $40 off when fans purchase both “Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass” and the soon-to-be released “Country’s Family Reunion: God Bless America Again,” a series celebrating God, country, family, friends and faith. During this SPECIAL PRESALE, fans can enjoy never-before-aired Gospel and patriotic performances by Lee Greenwood, Bobby Bare, John Conlee, Ray Stevens, Jimmy Fortune, Jan Howard, David Ball, Riders in the Sky, Gary Morris, John Anderson, The Gatlin Brothers, Mark Wills, Daryle Singletary, Jim Ed Brown, George Hamilton, IV, The Whites and many others

About Gabriel Communications and Country’s Family Reunion:
Gabriel Communications, started in 1996 by long-time disc jockey Larry Black, is the producer of the popular “Country’s Family Reunion” and “Larry’s Country Diner” series.  Black first applied the “Reunion” concept to the legends of Country music in 1997. The idea was simple: bring America’s most-treasured artists together into one room to reunite and reminisce about their careers, perform signature songs and share stories while the cameras roll. The result has been pure magic, documenting hundreds of stories and performances that would have otherwise been lost. The series’ popularity has led to top-rated shows on RFD-TV and wildly successful DVD sales, spurring the creation of more than a dozen more projects and Country’s Family Reunion News (a monthly newspaper that highlights the music of yesteryear), as well as giving rise to sold-out theatre shows and ocean cruises by the ever-growing fan base. For additional information on Gabriel Communications, or to purchase music products, please visit
cfrvideos.com.


OPEN AIR STEREO RELEASES SECOND SINGLE, “DAMNED,” FROM ‘PRIMATES’ DEBUT ALBUM

OPEN AIR STEREO RELEASES SECOND SINGLE, “DAMNED,” FROM ‘PRIMATES’ DEBUT ALBUM

AUSTIN SHOWS CONFIRMED DURING SXSW; CO-HEADLINING TOUR WITH MIGGS STARTS MARCH 25 IN JACKSONVILLE, FL

2014 is already proving to be a busy year for OPEN AIR STEREO.  Not only have they just released the second single, “Damned,” from their PRIMATES debut album, which was added to SiriusXM’s “The Pulse” channel right away, but they’re getting ready for a batch of shows in Austin, TX during SXSW and they’ll be launching a co-headlining tour with miggs and Man On Earth in March.

While a lyric video for “Damned” can currently be seen on the band’s YouTube page, they recently completed an official music video for the song with Devin DeHaven (Slash, R. Kelly, Rita Ora) at the director’s helm, which will be released soon.

Meanwhile, the Southern California band--Chase Johnson (lead vocals), Nick Gross (drums), Scott Pounds (guitars), Evan Smith (bass)--is getting ready to launch a co-headlining tour with miggs and Man On Earth starting March 25 in Jacksonville, FL at Jack Rabbits and concluding May 4 in Scottsdale, AZ at the Rogue Bar.  Before the trek kicks off, OPEN AIR STEREO will perform a handful of shows in Austin, TX during SXSW.

PRIMATES has been racking up rave reviews since its release last May.  Gibson.com described it as “...melodic rock that’s a bit edgy and free, with lots of guitar bite.”  Examiner.com called it “...an energetic and hook-filled hard rock album...”  Reviewfix.com hailed:  “Open Air Stereo encapsulates Southern California pop and rock sound. Their debut album features ten tracks that give off that beachy, summery spirit that is enjoyable, refreshing and triggers the senses to aurally experience the laid-back, chill vibes of surf, sand and sun.”

Check out OPEN AIR STEREO at any of the following stops, with more shows to be announced in the coming weeks:

DATE SPONSOR VENUE/TIME

DURING SXSW IN AUSTIN, TX:

  • Mon 3/10          Set.fm                          The Majestic/9pm
  • Tue 3/11            Jivewire                        The Rooftop/7:15pm
  • Wed 3/12          Red Gorilla                    The Thirsty Nickel/11pm
  • Wed 3/12          Jivewire                        Touche/6pm    
  • Thu 3/13            In2une Music                 Shakespears/9pm
  • Fri 3/14             Jivewire                        Darwin’s Pub/2:30pm
  • Fri 3/14             Red Gorilla                    Handle Bar/10pm
  • Fri 3/14             KAMX                           Key Bar/TBA

With miggs and Man On Earth:

  • Tue 3/25            Jacksonville, FL            Jack Rabbits
  • Thu 3/27            Orlando, FL                   The Social
  • Sat 3/29            Tampa, FL                    Orpheum
  • Tue 4/1             Washington, DC            Jammin’ Java
  • Wed 4/2            Philadelphia, PA            Grape Room
  • Thu 4/3             New York, NY               The Bowery Electric
  • Fri 4/4               Westport, CT                 Toquet Hall
  • Sun 4/6             Boston, MA                  Church
  • Thu 4/10            Pittsburgh, PA              Club Café
  • Sat 4/12            Newport, KY                 Southgate House
  • Wed 4/16          Chicago, IL                   Elbo Room
  • Fri 4/18             Indianapolis, IN             Rathskeller
  • Wed 4/23          Denver, CO                   Lost Lake Lounge
  • Thu 4/24            Salt Lake City, UT          The Royal
  • Sat 4/26            Seattle, WA                   El Corazon
  • Sun 4/27           Portland, OR                 Hawthorne Theatre
  • Tue 4/29            Oakland, CA                 The New Parish
  • Thu 5/1             Los Angeles, CA           Molly Malone’s
  • Sat 5/3              San Diego, CA              Lestat’s Coffee House
  • Sun 5/4             Scottsdale, AZ              Rogue Bar

More Information at the following locations

www.openairstereo.com   www.facebook.com/OpenAirStereo  www.twitter.com/OpenAirStereo

www.youtube.com/user/oasarmy19  www.instagram.com/open_air_stereo


Interview with Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons Fame talks with us about her life, her career and her New Album “Missing In Action”

Xombiewoof Magazine Interviews Missing Persons’ Dale Bozzio

Dale Bozzio talks with us about her life, career and her New Album “Missing In Action”

Interview with Joseph Timmons – Xombiewoof Magazine

When given the opportunity to interview Dale Bozzio for this article about her new album “Missing In Action” prior to today’s groundbreaking release, I jumped at the chance. I found Dale to be a warm and as expected, and a joy to interview. Dale has been hard at work developing this new album, but unlike other artists coming back after a while out of the spotlight, Dale Bozzio kept to her natural styling, not to embrace a style or sound that is not hers, but to “Rev Up” her trademark sound for a new generation to discover. Dale expressed her secret to her staying power and longevity to not paying attention to modern trends, Dale said in confidence “I sometimes place myself in a space where I wonder who could I be if I were not myself, and I realize I can’t, I can only be myself and to that I have to be true and keep moving forward”. As a self-proclaimed introvert, she becomes a different person, finding comfort on the stage to express herself without reservation and empowered.

gallery26When Missing Persons first hit the streets back in the 80’s, the group quickly rocketed to the top of the charts with a new and energetic sound that would become foundations for other artists to follow yet never duplicate. Dale Bozzio, the singer of Missing Persons was a new wave vision of beauty who would be many a young man’s dream girl. Prior to her formation of Missing Persons, Dale Bozzio had already created a legacy in the music industry through her work with Frank Zappa, whom was a close and dear friend of Dale that took a personal interest in her development.

Dale and I talked about her work with Frank Zappa and her memories of him and what it was like to be a part of his world, “I was truly blessed to have worked with Frank. I met him in 1976, which now feels like a million years ago. It kind of blows my mind that the things I talk about now like my career, my music and my past work are from 30 years ago, but it feels like it was just yesterday”. Dale Added “I am originally from Boston, in my youth I took elocution lessons to improve my speech, when I met Frank he said to me that I had a sound that would be remembered and to never change it”. In live performances, Dale would stride onto the stage and the roar of her fans would drown out the most powerful of sound systems, proof that Zappa was right.

With additional credits to her versatility such as videos, movies and her various ventures in music, including working with Frank Sinatra, Dale would be poised to accomplish anything she desired. Yet, as fate would have it, life would take dale from the stage and into the role of wife, mother and her legacy would be that of an enigma, leaving our sight as quickly as she arrived.

Or so it would seem…

gallery32Dale Bozzio, one of the most recognizable singers to come out of the ‘80s art rock movement, never stopped performing and has kept active in the music world, no longer gracing the large arenas but keeping her performances small and personal, keeping her music intimate with a loving and very loyal fan base. A true original whose signature vocal style was matched only by her iconic outfits that set the standard for flamboyant fashion in rock music is still, many years later, a beautiful and iconic artist that has decided to come back in full force to those that would be waiting. With a life’s story of ups and downs and personal achievements and tragedies, Dale Bozzio is back and she is a stronger and more powerful artist than she ever was.

The album, “Missing In Action”, released today on March 4th on both CD & Vinyl by Cleopatra Records, Is a masterpiece of originality, not a backtrack to the 80’s or a “comeback” attempt, but the creation of an audio tapestry that is, in essence, a tribute to who she was, is and will continue to be. “Missing In Action” was produced by the multi-talented Billy Sherwood, a member of the legendary progressive rock institution Yes, who worked closely with Dale to craft an album that can stand alongside the Missing Persons catalog while still showcasing Dale’s growth as both a performer and a person. Dale told me “it was amazing to work with Billy Sherwood, he could read me and we had a great creative chemistry”. In our interview, Dale reflected on the 10 song album, noting song titles rich with personal meaning such as “Do Or Die”, “Walk Into The Sun,” and “Speed Of Light”, ”The More We Love” and others are not just beautiful songs, they are also testimonials to her life. “I take things to the heart; I want to make things better for the world, I am not greedy or selfish, I just want to give”, I would say it is with this philosophy that Dale is able to create such great music.

gallery33“The More We Love,” which Dale recorded just days after her mother passed away and contains the most moving performance of Dale’s long, historic career as well as her admiration for a person that inspired her to be the best she could be. Dale dedicated much of her work to her family; in commentary she told me that her children were the light of her life and that they are a driving force for her and her greatest supporters “her best friends”. “Everything that I believe in and cherish is in them”, after a laugh, Dale became a bit serious and said “We sometimes take so much of our life for granted, we need to take every day as it comes and enjoy living for its own reward.. We have to face life with courage”.

“Missing In Action”, has been in the making for over two decades and is a triumph to Dale’s ability to empower herself and her fans through her music. To quote Dale Bozzio “Life is precious journey that we have to experience, every day that comes could be either the last day of our life, or the first day or our rebirth or new life and I never do anything that I could not go to sleep with on my conscious”.

For more info, visit http://dalebozzioofficial.com and Dale Bozzio on Facebook.

Go to Cleopatra Records to get this album ASAP!