As I have expressed on both Metal Odyssey and twitter during the past month of January, my family and I have relocated to Ohio. Ohio ROCKS. I’m not just saying that cause I’ve been living here in a hotel for about 8 days now; in fact, every person I’ve met in this grand state thus far is downright friendly. Stone digs that. Meeting new people and experiencing new places is what life is all about. Metal be thy name and ring that relocation bell!
Within these next 24 hours, our official status of becoming residents of Ohio will be solidified; as we move into our new home. With a new home comes (the possibility of) no immediate internet access; resulting in a temporary burp in Metal coverage you are used to reading and seeing on Metal Odyssey. Have no fear, I have purposely scheduled some (very cool) posts that will run through the third week of February (just in case the internet is not installed/delivered to our residence in a timely fashion). I truly hope you dig what I’ve got in store for you with these Rockin’ posts too!
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By now you must be asking: Stone, why is that album cover for Motörhead The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: AnyplaceCrazy, As Anywhere Elseat the top of this post? I answer: this CD is one of the first I’ve purchased while living here in Ohio. I found this Motörhead CD at Best Buy. Plus, I couldn’t resist tying in the title of this double live Motörhead album with this post. Anyplace Crazy, As Anywhere Else… that’s what relocation is all about. Nuff’ said.
There are so many little and big things to accomplish when you relocate! My Metal head is spinning! No, I’m not kidding! Okay, after that crybaby outburst, I want to thank each and every visitor (both casual and loyal) to Metal Odyssey for understanding there may be a lapse in normal action in the coming days. Hopefully the internet arrives to our new home quickly and I can breathe a sigh of relief! In the meantime… keep on Rockin’ with no sign of stoppin’!
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Back on January 2nd, I wrote about the relocation that would be taking place in the live’s of my family and I. You can read all about it by clicking that handsome link below! Whoa!
Following his debut solo album, as well as a collaborative LP with Doom legend Scott “Wino” Weinrich, German singer/songwriter CONNY OCHS is now gearing up to release his second solo studio full-length, BlackHappy, once again via Exile On Mainstream. Having produced music for over a decade, local fans have endorsed and worshiped the man’s efforts for years. Yet, it was OCHS’ album co-written with Wino and the heavy touring across Europe and North America in support of the record that put him on the international map.
This leads into this new album Black Happy, the title an absolute indication to the atmospheres CONNY OCHS is able to create. Deeply rooted in the blackened parts of the human soul he carves a mixture of melancholy and catharsis into the rough edges of songs that come out so natural, so organic and sonically sparkling. While keeping his approach pure to the heart and the creation limited to just him and his guitar, OCHS reaches a stark authenticity that can only be worshipped. It draws you in, makes you a part of the music and leads to a deep admiration of the tunes, the pain and beauty relatable to everybody who hears them.
Bound to a tradition and history of great acoustic craftsmanship drawn from but not limited to the American continent, CONNY explores the realms of what of your inner self can sonically portray once you are on your own and armed with a guitar and voice. The path has been walked by many before, but that doesn’t make it a worn-out road.
Just like his previous solo album Raw Love Songs and the Heavy Kingdom album with Wino, Black Happy was engineered, mixed and mastered by Thommy Krawallo in Berlin in pure analog fashion. The album is set for official release in Germany on March 1st, throughout the rest of Europe on March 4th, and in North America on April 2nd, on LP, via digital download, and limited wooden box CD. Preorders are available here.
CONNY OCHS is currently embarked on a European tour in advance of the album’s release, with many more live excursions to be confirmed in the coming weeks. View the current list of dates here.
Danbury, CT – Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of Rock, kicks off the North American leg of their 2013 tour on February 28. The group returns to these shores following a successful spring tour last year to celebrate the release of their highly acclaimed studio album, Elegant Stealth, and on the heels of the RoadWorks 3 release, a collection of live performances.
During the Elegant Stealth Tour of 2012, Wishbone Ash played to full houses in the Northeast and Midwest. The upcoming North American Tour features many familiar venues plus several new stops, including dates on the West Coast and in Canada.
Released in November 2011 by ZYX Music, Elegant Stealth represents a benchmark in the evolution of Wishbone Ash. Signature twin-lead melodies and a powerhouse rhythm section frame 11 new tracks that reflect a diverse realm of styles and moods.
Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash has more than 20 original studio recordings and several live albums to their credit. On Elegant Stealth, the group coalesces around strong songwriting and serious chops. Founding member AndyPowell handles lead vocals and trades licks with Finland’s guitar wizard Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat, a 15-year veteran of the band and in-demand studio musician, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the best of Britain’s new breed of drummers, having played with Pendragon and David Cross of King Crimson. The band demonstrates its versatility on Elegant Stealth, from the Pop/Rocker “Reason to Believe” to the gentler vibe of “Give it Up” to tunes like “Warm Tears” and “Big Issues,” where the band gets to stretch out and flex its musical muscles.
Below, listen to and watch the music video forReason To Believe:
Classic Rock Revisited’s Jeb Wright called Elegant Stealth “one of the best albums in Wishbone Ash’s 42 year career.”
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck of MuzikReviews.com said, “This band is like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age and this is one of their strongest studio releases in years.”
“The songs are catchy, very technical, but there is a soul in what Wishbone Ash is doing!” said Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces of Rock.
Citing Wishbone Ash as an influence on their style, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Southern Rock outfits like Lynyrd Skynyrd and, more recently, heavyweights like Opeth and some of the guitar- based Indie/Alternative bands, have all taken a little something from the legendary twin-guitar approach of Wishbone Ash. Truly, there is no other Rock band on the planet that has done more with the twin guitar concept than the Ash.
Wishbone Ash North America Spring 2013 Tour Dates:
February 28 – Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
March 1 – Towne Crier, Pawling, NY – Featuring Argus Live
March 2 – Record Collector, Bordentown, NJ – Featuring Argus Live
March 3 – Ukranian American Cultural Center, Whippany, NJ
March 4 – Iron Horse, Northhampton, MA
March 5 – Bridge Street Live, Collinsville, CT
March 6 – Bull Run, Shirley, MA
March 7 – Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville, PA
March 8 – Iridium, New York, NY
March 9 – Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe, PA
March 10 – Wellsboro House; Wellsboro, PA
March 11 – Winchester Music Hall, Cleveland, OH
March 12 – Callahan’s, Auburn Hills, MI
March 13 – Fitzgerald’s, Berwyn, IL
March 14 – Pabst Theater – Turner Hall, Milwaukee, WI
March 16 – Festival Place, Sherwood Park, Alberta, BC
March 19 – The Venue, Alberta, BC – Featuring Argus Live
March 20 – Jazzbones, Tacoma, WA – Featuring Argus Live
March 21 – Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR – Featuring Argus Live
GREAT WHITE’sHard to Say Goodbye is now No. 8 on the Classic Rock radio Mediabase chart. The third single from Elation last charted at No. 10 and is expected to continue its climb, with news that the video has just been picked up by MTV.com.
GREAT WHITE released Elation (the band’s 12th studio record) from Frontiers Records in May 2012. Elation thrives on GREAT WHITE’s signature grit and blues-hued sound, only marked with a new synergy.
“The validation from our fans and the radio community has been phenomenal,” said GREAT WHITE founder Mark Kendall. “The energy on this record has been building higher and higher. This is the GREAT WHITE sound and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this amazing experience.”
GREAT WHITE – 2013 TOUR DATES:
GREAT WHITE’s robust touring schedule keeps growing with two additional dates just added, August 15’s UP State Fair (Escanaba, Mich.) and October 26 at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino (Calgary, Alberta, Canada).
March 16 – 20, Monsters of Rock Cruise (various)
March 30, Sierra Ballroom at Boomtown Casino (Reno, Nev.)
April 5, Chester’s Harley Davidson Pavilion (Mesa, Ariz.)
May 4, Yucaipa Festival (Yucaipa, Calif.)
May 10, The Railhead at Boulder Station Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
June 1, Ride for a Cure (Salt Lake City, Utah)
June 8, Thunder on the Lot at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (Lancaster, Calif.)
June 27, Chumash Casino (Santa Ynez, Calif.)
July 6, Concerts on the Green (Hollister, Calif.)
July 11, Gettysburg Bike Week (Gettysburg, Pa.)
July 12, BBQ Festival (Kankakee, Ill.)
July 20, Waukesha County Fair (Waukesha, Wis.)
July 26, Braun’s Concert Cove (Akron, N.Y.)
July 27, Mattawa Voyageur Days (Mattawa, Ontario, Canada)
August 2, Rocking the River (Detroit, Mich.)
August 3, Yamhill County Fair (McMinnville, Ore.)
August 15, UP State Fair (Escanaba, Mich.)
October 26, Deerfoot Inn & Casino (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Featuring Kendall (guitar), and 28-year-veterans Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Audie Desbrow (drums), lead singer Terry Ilous and bassist Scott Snyder join them. GREAT WHITE emerged unscathed from late 2011 band member changes. Best known for the 1989 smash “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” GREAT WHITE’s worldwide sales are approaching 10 million. Their song arsenal also includes “Rock Me,” “Save Your Love,” “The Angel Song,” “Mistabone,” “I’ve Got Something For You” and “Feeling So Much Better” (recent Top 20 on the classic rock chart.) Visit http://GREATWHITEROCKS.COM for additional information.
Friday, May 31st 2013 sees Witch Cross taking to the stage in their hometown of Hillerød, in North Sjaelland, Denmark. The gig will be their first of the year and will follow hot on the heels of a new album, mixed by metal legend Chris Tsangarides, set for release a month earlier – their first since their debut ‘Fit for Fight’ some 26 years ago! More shows throughout the year are promised as the band look to take their classic tracks on the road alongside new material from the upcoming album.
The concert takes place at the Støberihallen, support is from Whitesnake tribute and tickets are available from HERE
SKID ROW – Check out below the U.S. and international tour dates (with venues & cities) for the legendary American Hard & Heavy Rock Band… SKID ROW! Metal be thy name and… WHOA!
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03.22.2013 The Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
04.04.2013 The Railway – Ispwich, England
04.05.2013 White Rabbit – Plymouth, England
04.06.2013 Great Hall 2 – Cardiff, Wales
04.07.2013 HRH AOR Festival – Rotherham, England
04.09.2013 Yardbirds – Grimsby, England
04.10.2013 Fibbers – York, England
04.11.2013 NQ Live – Manchester, England
04.12.2013 Leamington Assembly – Leamington, England
04.13.2013 Islington Academy – London, England
04.15.2013 Meet Factory – Prague, Czech Republic
04.16.2013 KD Frydek Mistek – Czech Republic
04.19.2013 M15 Concert Bar & Grill – Corona, CA
04.20.2013 Pima County Fair – Tucson, AZ
06.08.2013 Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
Candlelight Records today confirms May 7th as the North American release date for False Prism, the debut full-length from SADGIQACEA. Produced by Chris Grigg (Woe), the album’s four mammoth songs will pummel listeners for close to 40-minutes. The album follows their 2011 EP, Submerged in Manichea (Horror Pain Gore Death Productions) and two regarded split recordings with Ominous Black and Grass (Anthropic).
Heavy Planet says, “While destroying everything in their path, Philadelphia-based SADGIQACEA creates an inspiring assault of devastation. Crushing riffs and ambient beauty swirl as the vocals bark… epic and full-on sludge.” Fueled by the duo of Evan Schaefer (vocals/guitar) and Fred Grabosky (vocals/drums), the band has already proven themselves road savvy. Plans are already in order to return to the road for the album’s springtime release. “We are honored to be working with Candlelight Records and ready to spread our music to masses with their support,” says the band. “We are currently planning our second full American tour with our Philadelphia brothers Hivelords for Summer 2013.”
Formed in 2010, SADGIQACEA (pronounced sad-juh-kay-sha) forge a diverse sonic palette that has been likened at times to Neurosis, Intronaut, Weakling, and Kylesa. Musically and artistically, the band draws from a melting pot of influences that together presents a lush yet tension-filled sound. They call it, “music for our trodden minds and sodden souls.” SADGIQACEA has performed alongside 40 Watt Sun, Floor, Cough, Weedeater, Fight Amp, Mose Giganticus, ASG, Funeral Pyre, Hull and countless others in their still short history.
Recorded early September 2012 at Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, False Prism features sparring use of overdubs; the band wishing to preserve the authentic recording quality of the live performance. Writing and performing as a duo, the unique band is committed to their craft. Discussing the album SADGIQACEA says, “The album has themes of inner struggle, spirituality, and our own reflections on the dualistic nature of the evil that we all see and experience in our lives.”
Falm Prism will be released on CD and vinyl (under license to Anthropic Records).
Please come out and support this great cause~ cherri bomb will be hosting the show! it is a 21+ club, but we’re told wrist bands are available for under 21. Come out and see some great bands~ The Moby Dicks, Heaven Below, Memory Lane and our friends False Puppet! and don’t forget to get there early between 11-6pm to donate blood because Music Saves Lives !!! special thanks to @maxcshanks for the cherri bomb caricatures! XO n, m, and ~Rena
REVERENCE – Watch below an important announcement from Bryan Holland (guitarist/founding member) of REVERENCE, regarding the band’s future European live presence.
REVERENCE – The debut studio album and critically acclaimedWhen Darkness Callswas released back on July 9th, 2012, via Razar Ice Records.
Chicago – Beak, the Chicago-based Post-Metal quartet who made a splash with their 2012 EP release Eyrie, are currently in the studio working on their debut full-length.
“The forthcoming record is a contemplation on beginnings and the struggle for life,” explained vocalist Jon Slusher. “As a follow-up to Eyrie, if in record time was the end of all things, then the new album deals with creation after the destruction, the cycle of life.” The band has reunited with engineer Neil Strauch (Iron and Wine, Bonnie Prince Billy) and are recording at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio. The album is due this fall.
Beak – Eyrie
Eyrie was an unexpected surprise from a relatively unknown band with review after review noting what a surprising and worthwhile find the five-track release was. Spin said “Chicago post-metal party crashers have songwriting acumen and hardcore bent that… Neur-Isis copycats sorely lack,” Heavy Metal About.com added “I have no doubt that Beak will become a force to be reckoned with” and Stereokiller offered “Eyrie is more than a pleasant surprise. It’s one of the better EPs I’ve heard in sometime. It being an EP is really the only somewhat negative thing I can say. I want more, 5 tracks isn’t enough.”
The band play a hometown show on Feb. 23 at Beat Kitchen where they will perform songs from Eyrie as well as a preview of what’s to come on the new album.
Visit http://purevolume.com now to hear Super Hero, (the brand new single from Osaka Popstar), in its entirety, check out the interview with John Cafiero and enter to win a signed copy of the Ltd. white w/ red & blue splatter Super Hero 12-inch vinyl + matching t-shirt with art by Josh (“Dead @17”) Howard.
This announcement is about the removing by YOUTUBE our recent video “CROWD CONTROL”:
Over one month ago, YouTube has decided to remove our video from the corresponding channel, without giving any kind of precise explanation, just by noting that our work did not meet their regulations and policies. Having been a month, doing an intense paperwork and forms, together with NADIR MUSIC and AL LENTE COMUNICACION AUDIOVISUAL. The only response we had was that the music video was removed from the channel, and that they considerated invalid our replica and appeal.
As ESTAMPIDA, NADIR MUSIC and AL LENTE COMUNICACION AUDIOVISUAL, We want to make clear that “WE DON’T ADMIT ANY CHARGE” and We invite anyone who has seen, to tell us if our work had some sort of malicious scenes or any kind of vocabulary is often aggravating see in the same YOUTUBE. The work done by the three parties mentioned above, based on the promotion of the video was hard and intense, costed much sacrifice, and media, label, fans and bands, exactly know how hard it is reaching more than 15,000 visits Worldwide. The fact still remains unchanged: they have taken our video in a unceremoniously dictatorial and arbitrary way. The decision is taken, and that means to us to start again, working harder than before, those who know us know our fighting spirit, the video will be uploaded again, and as often as NECESSARY. As always, We deeply thank all Medias that will echo this statement, and for all our Fans, let the new link to “CROWD CONTROL”:
“Gentlemen of YOUTUBE, We deeply regret that You did not like our video, We deeply regret that our style is not “dancing on the top of a boat”, and We deeply regret that our work does not allow adequate remuneration”.
Our style is HEADBANGING, our style is singing AGAINST WORLD
DOMINATION, AGAINST CENSORSHIP, and AGAINST HANDLING BY THE MEDIA.
Stone Sour will release House of Gold & Bones Pt. 2, the second part of their two-album series, House of Gold & Bones, on April 9; the cover art is above. The albums were recorded at Sound Farm Studios just outside of the band’s native Des Moines, Iowa with producer David Bottrill (Tool, Muse) at the helm. Get all the details here!
Killswitch Engage have revealed the cover art to their forthcoming studio album, Disarm the Descent, which will be available everywhere April 2. As with all of their previous releases, the cover was designed by bassist MikeD’Antonio. The track listing for the record, which will be the band’s first with vocalist Jesse Leach since 2002’s Alive or Just Breathing, is as follows:
The Hell In Me
Beyond the Flames
The New Awakening
In Due Time
A Tribute to the Fallen
Turning Point
All We Have
You Don’t Bleed for Me
The Call
No End in Sight
Always
Time Will Not Remain
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And, last but not least, you can listen to a clip of some new music here.
GREAT WHITE – Multi-platinum recording artists, GREAT WHITE announced today that the band’s third single off of Elation, Hard to Say Goodbye, has reached No. 10 on the classic rock radio Mediabase chart. The heartfelt single has tugged the heartstrings of audiences, especially the military.
GREAT WHITE released Elation (the band’s 12th studio record) from Frontiers Records in May 2012. Elation thrives on GREAT WHITE’s signature grit and blues-hued sound, only marked with a new synergy.
“’Hard To Say Goodbye’ and ‘Promised Land’ should be staples on Nashville radio this summer,” wrote Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles’ Mitch Lafon.
“Great to see them back and rockin’ better than ever,” said ‘Hitman’, program director for KQXX FM (McAllen/Brownsville, Texas).
“’Hard to Say Goodbye’ from GREAT WHITE brings a great band back to radio, it’s a huge phone request with our ladies,” said Max Volume of KOZZ FM (Reno, Nev.).
Catch GREAT WHITE live on KUSI TV’s Good Morning San Diego, Thursday, January 31, 9 a.m. pacific time. Tune in to KGB FM (San Diego) at 6:45 a.m. pacific time on Friday, February 1, and watch XETV TV (San Diego) at 8:20 a.m. pacific time for more coverage.
GREAT WHITE’s robust touring schedule just added a direct support slot for WHITESNAKE on July 27 at the Mattawa Voyageur Days in Mattawa, Ontario. With more dates to be announced soon, the current 2013 concert dates:
February 1, Sycuan Casino (El Cajon, Calif.)
March 16 – 20, Monsters of Rock Cruise (various)
March 30, Sierra Ballroom at Boomtown Casino (Reno, Nev.)
April 5, Chester’s Harley Davidson Pavilion (Mesa, Ariz.)
May 10, The Railhead at Boulder Station Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.)
June 1, Ride for a Cure (Salt Lake City, Utah)
June 27, Chumash Casino (Santa Ynez, Calif.)
July 6, Concerts on the Green (Hollister, Calif.)
July 11, Gettysburg Bike Week (Gettysburg, Pa.)
July 12, BBQ Festival (Kankakee, Ill.)
July 20, Waukesha County Fair (Waukesha, Wis.)
July 26, Braun’s Concert Cove (Akron, N.J.)
July 27, Mattawa Voyageur Days (Mattawa, Ontario, Canada)
August 2, Rocking the River (Detroit, Mich.)
August 3, Yamhill County Fair (McMinnville, Ore.)
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Featuring founder Mark Kendall (guitar), and 28-year-veterans MichaelLardie (guitar, keyboards) and Audie Desbrow (drums), lead singer Terry Ilous and bassist Scott Snyder join them. GREAT WHITE emerged unscathed from late 2011 band member changes. Best known for the 1989 smash “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” GREAT WHITE’s worldwide sales are approaching 10 million. Their song arsenal also includes “Rock Me,” “Save Your Love,” “The Angel Song,” “Mistabone,” “I’ve Got Something For You” and “Feeling So Much Better” (recent Top 20 on the classic rock chart.) Visit GreatWhiteRocks.com for additional information.
Attributes in music are known to be cyclical. Every few years, a band comes along who borrows just enough from the revered past to bring a new infusion of vitality to the musical present. SCORPION CHILD’s sound invokes a time when guitar-driven Rock ruled radio’s airwaves, when being hypnotized by a frontman and his bandmates in a concert arena was one of life’s ultimate main events.
A five-piece from Austin, Texas, SCORPION CHILD have spent the last few years perfecting both their songwriting and stage show. Guitarists Chris Cowart and David Finner deliver their finessed twin guitar attack with experience older than their years; bassist Shaun Avants and drummer Shawn Alvear are steadfast sentinels of their driving rhythm section; and lead singer Aryn JonathanBlack fronts the Psychedelic Rock cavalry with a passion & voice reminiscent of the early eras of Robert Plant and Ronnie James Dio.
“I’ve always wanted to hear new musical ingredients within a classic heavy sound,” states vocalist AJB. “It’s great to witness captivating performances where both the live show and the band’s recorded material can complement one another. The heavy-prog sounds of URIAH HEEP, HAIRY CHAPTER, and the epic delivery of early RAINBOW showcases these crossovers brilliantly and gave us all honest – yet relentless – sonics to aspire to. That’s why it’s important for us as a band to maintain spontaneity while putting a special emphasis into integral hooks.”
This May, Nuclear Blast will release SCORPION CHILD’s self-titled, full-length debut. Produced and arranged by Chris “Frenchie” Smith (THE ANSWER, AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD…), the album uses analog recording technology to organically capture a hybrid of nine, hook-filled chapters of heavy Psych Rock. The goal? To breathe new life into a neglected yet still important musical heritage.
Dangerous guitar riffs, soul-ridden bass lines, and thunderous drums with powerful rock vocals as lead conductor convey the on-stage swagger of SCORPION CHILD and will prepare you for the live experience awaiting you when the band tours the U.S. and Europe throughout 2013.
1. Kings Highway
2. Polygon Of Eyes
3. The Secret Spot
4. Salvation Slave
5. Liquor
6. Antioch
7. In The Arms Of Ecstasy
8. Lover’s Leap
9. Red Blood (The River Flows)
RUSS DWARF – When you think of Canadian Rock ‘N Roll heroes, RUSH, Neil Young, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Triumph, Loverboy, Aldo Nova, Paul Anka, Bryan Adams, Kataklysm and Kittie (to name a many few) may come to mind very quickly. Another Canadian Rock ‘N Roll hero that should never be missed in conversation is Russ Dwarf, as well as his legendary 80’s Heavy Metal band: Killer Dwarfs.
Russ Dwarf has had an eventful, memorable, tour-filled, record charting and MTV spotlighted career with his band Killer Dwarfs; from the earliest of the 80’s to the middle of the 90’s decade being this band’s studio recording years. With Killer Dwarfs currently being on hiatus, Russ Dwarf is once again embarking on a solo project, with his newest studio album WIReLeSShaving final touches done with mixing, as you read this.
With being involved with the evolution of 80’s Heavy Metal and having other musical projects of esteem on his Rockin’ impressive resume, Russ Dwarf has seen a lot and accomplished just as much, so Russ Dwarf has many things to say! Therefore, this will be a first in an eventual series of interviews with Russ Dwarf. Here you’ll find interesting and downright fun facts about the Rockin’ career of Russ Dwarf, in his own words:
STONE: How did the idea for “WIReLeSS” come about?
RUSS: It was just a natural progression really. I had been doing these songs this way for a couple of years with long time friend and guitarist Glenn Belcher. Basically, we have been playing shows and doing Killer Dwarfs tunes, plus songs from my solo record “Penny Black” and Moxy and HardRoad songs. I wrote an album a few years ago with Earl Johnson, the guitar player from Moxy and I am currently the singer in Moxy. Glenn does such fine arrangements that we wanted to record them and Hey We Did!
STONE: Who else is involved in making “WIReLeSS” a reality?
RUSS: Well as I said my childhood Pal Glenn Belcher (we’ve known each other since I was 14) was really the catalyst in making this happen, as well as Rob “Zaks” Zakojc my business partner in the “Smoothline Entertainment Group” he sings and also plays bass on the record. Then a bunch of old Pals from this area, Kevin Simpson, Dan Lear, and Kevin Reid from my Russ Dwarf Band all played guitar, as well as Cosmo Crupi who added some keys. Fred Duvall, the owner of “The Bunker” studio, played percussion and Co-produced the record with Glenn Belcher. I was also lucky enough to have Ron”Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns & Roses) and Glen Drover (King Diamond, Megadeth, Testament) take the time to play a couple of amazing pieces for me. Oh and I showed up as well to eat the Chinese Food and drink Japanese Beer!
STONE: Was it difficult or easy to choose which Killer Dwarfs songs would be covered on “WIReLeSS”? Can you describe how you approach translating these songs acoustically?
RUSS: Again Glenn Belcher was a big part of that. His arrangements are really a tribute to how talented this guy is. I love all the original Killer Dwarfs stuff, but this is a whole new life to these songs that have been a part of my life for over half a century. Man I’m OLD! Hearing them come to life again in the studio is like painting an old memory, they still stand up to me after all these years. It’s also a testament to Gerry Finn and Mike Hall’s ability as classic Rock writers as well. I’m very proud of all the songs we wrote all those years ago and I am happy people remember and love them just as much.
STONE: Russ, based on the “new” social-digital landscape of how musicians now sell and promote their music, how important is it to play live today, compared to the 80’s?
RUSS: Well it’s always nice to eat! Honestly I come from a background of “Live Music”, obviously. I’ve been in bands playing live since I was a hairless young lad. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do and have been lucky enough to have found kindred souls seeking the same kind of nomadic lifestyle. I think live music is the most important part of being a writer, singer, musician and comedian! I know the current state of communication brings the world in a little closer than when we started, but you need to get out of your basement and see Live Music, there’s nothing like that feeling. I still get excited at a show, mine or someone’s else’s, it washes over you at the first moments of a Live Show. It’s never changed for me, I still feel it. It’s a bit of oh shit scary and a bit of just youthful heart beats! I might have strayed a bit from the question, but what I’m saying is you MUST PLAY LIVE! You can’t get it together any other way. No matter how much you practice, this is a must. I’ve been blessed to have had that kind of “Show-Bizz” education. As we used to say in the Killer Dwarfs, “it’s an education money can’t buy, but you sure do pay for”!
RUSS DWARF – 80’s ERA – KILLER DWARFS
STONE: Can you share what the greatest memory of your musical career has been and what you still want to accomplish as an artist?
RUSS: That is a crazy hard question, there’s just way to many memories. It’s funny when I get asked that, the memories actually come back like slivers in my mind. I have a great memory for dates and all the nutty junk that went on, but like any band or group of people you’d get ten different stories of the same event. I can’t pin point one event really, but I can say our very first show with the Killer Dwarfs in San Antonio Texas was unbelievable for me. I was just talking to a friend about this the other day and all the events were floating back. We had never played the USA at this point so it would be our first gig in the US. We were without a record deal at the time, as we had left our first label Attic records at the time we were recording “Stand Tall”, but it wasn’t finished yet, so no deal no record. A Legend in Texas Joe “ The Godfather” Anthony called up to my house in Toronto; it was an odd call because I had No idea who he was and what he was saying was just too crazy. Supposedly our first record was number one in San Antonio and he wanted to know if we’d come down and do a show.
KILLER DWARFS – STAND TALL (1986)
RUSS: Let me tell you, San Antonio is the most out-and-out hands down Rock N’ Roll town on EARTH! I kid you not! Between the Godfather and Jack Orbin of Stone City Productions, these cats help more bands breakout than anybody for sure. So here we are, a bunch of green Canadian boys, we played tons of shows in those days probably well over 200 a year easy. We did 3 nights at the Infamous Gasworks in Toronto, get in 2 mini vans, then drive straight down to San Antonio in 36 hours. You have to be 20 something to pull this crap off and have a nice night drinking and swimming and god knows what (I know, but ain’t telling). We show up at the gig which is a beautiful old theater called the Majestic and we pulled around back in our lovely rented vans. There was a whack of people all there, fans… and they all start running towards us… we are NEW so we’re going to ourselves “who the %$#@ is in town?” Not realizing how popular we were there, NUTS I say! Needless to say the show was one of those nights you never forget. For me, that’s one of 2 in my life I knew Rock N’ Roll was the Shit. Anyway, I Still Love the Texans with all my heart and to this day have great friends there. Going back is always like going home there.
So there ya have it! Sorry for all the babbling!
Cheers,
Russ
Stone Says: Thank you, Russ! Your babbling is ALWAYS welcomed and yes… YOU ROCK!
Stone’s METAL Birthday – Today is Saturday, January 26th and it’s… my birthday! Happy METAL Birthday to me! WHOA!
I won’t actually reveal how old I am. However, here are some hints:
I’m younger than Gene Simmons.
I’m older than Chris Daughtry.
By the way, doesn’t that Motörhead birthday cake (pictured at top) look really… METAL or what! That’s the album cover for Motörhead The Birthday Party. It’s a live Motörhead album released back in 1990.
I’ll be celebrating my METAL Birthday by listening to METAL and preparing for my relocation to Ohio (aka The Buckeye State). No crazy or huge party for Stone. Maybe next year, when things aren’t so unbelievably busy in my life.
Back on April 13, 2010, I posted up a very, very cool article/review (which I wrote) about Motörhead The BirthdayParty. You can read all about it, if you like, by clicking on the link below! Whoa!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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