|
May 2008 May WI Music News
Congratulations to
everyone who was nominated for a 2008 MAMA. The winners will be revealed
this Saturday, May 10 at the Barrymore Theatre,
www.barrymorelive.com for the fifth annual Madison Area Music Awards
ceremony. Tickets are $20 and are available at all
Barrymore ticket outlets. The
Michael St. John Lifetime Achievement Award will
be presented this year to bass player extraordinaire, Richard Davis.
Davis
is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has appeared on
over 80 albums, including playing with Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand,
Van Morrison and John Lennon. Doors open at 6pm, and the show starts at 7pm.
Join us at the four after-parties, which include Westside Andy & Mel Ford at
the Harmony Bar, Dear August and The Pale Young Gentlemen at Mr. Roberts,
The Motors, The Treats and The Shabelles at the Great Dane downtown, and
Harmonious Wail at the Brink Lounge. All official after-show parties have no
cover, except for the Harmony Bar. All you have to do is flash your MAMAs
ticket stub for free admission. Go to
www.themamas.org for more details.
Please join Laura Day and
myself on Thursday, May 8 at 8pm at the Brink Lounge. We will be selling $5
raffle tickets for the MAMAs, which raises money to buy instruments for
needy kids. The night of the MAMAs ceremony, we will be raffling off a
$2,000 Sony 1080p LCD HDTV flat screen television, courtesy of American TV.
Raffle tickets are also available at Sugar Shack, Strictly Discs, Frugal
Muse West, Madcity Music and the Barrymore (when open). Tickets are $5.00
cash or check only. Plus, you do not need to be present to win.
If you're a fan of
hillbilly metal, don't miss Graveyard B-B-Q,
www.graveyardbbq.com, at the Annex on Sunday, May 11. This four-piece
metal band from Boston's
claim to fame was getting their song "Meat Yer Enemy" included on the
PlayStation 2, Guitar Hero.
Madison County,
www.madcounty.com, who are definitely my favorite cowboys, will be
ramping up their summer schedule starting on Saturday, May 17 in
Stoughton at the
Mandt Center
for the Syttende Mai celebration. I believe Syttende Mai is Norwegian for
"We can drink you under the table while still dancing." And no offense to my
Norwegian relatives, but you know what I'm talkin' about!
Singer/songwriter Beth
Kille and husband/drummer Tony Kille of Clear Blue Betty,
www.clearbluebetty.com, will be moving to
Houston, Texas
this summer, putting the band on hiatus for at least one year. The band has
continually won Madison Area Music Awards, plus bringing home a 2008 WAMI
for the Best Band from the southeast quandrant. You can still catch them
live at the Brat Fest on
Willow Island
at 5:30pm on Friday, May 23 and at the Club Tavern in Middleton on Saturday,
May 24.
Congratulations to Yeti on their new
release, Nest of Storms, which was just released on
Sweden's Crimsonic label,
www.crimsonic.com. I've always been so proud of Bill
Kopecky's accomplishments. I met him back in the mid-nineties, when he asked
to write for my newspaper Rock Central. An accomplished bass
player/writer/poet, he became a devoted contributor to the paper. Since, he
has always continued to perform and create, never failing to amaze me.
This review appeared on the Crimsonic site;
YETI
RAIN Nest of Storms-
Yeti Rain is an experimental duo
consisting of William Kopecky and Roger Ebner. Nest
of Storms, the band's second CD (but their first on the Crimsonic
label), is a set of spontaneously composed music that is intense and
visionary. The haunting sounds conjured up by Kopecky's
basses and Ebner's sax and wind synth are by turns meditative and violent,
the perfect soundtrack for a disturbing dream.
William Kopecky is known internationally
for his progressive and experimental bass playing. His
extensive discography includes CD's by Par Lindh Project, Kopecky, Far
Corner, Michael Angelo Batio, Parallel Mind, Snarling Adjective Convention,
and many others. On Nest of Storms, Kopecky plays both fretted and
fretless electric basses.
Roger Ebner is an adventurous musician
who has forged a unique sound on his wind synthesizer and saxophone.
His daring and expressive performances as a member of both Yeti Rain
and the sinister avant-garde funk/rock ensemble Snarling Adjective
Convention have earned him critical acclaim around the world.
My Space favorites for the month of May-
Kastasyde,
www.myspace.com/kastasyde2
Intense metal band from
Chicago, with the chops, the angst and the attitude.
What else is there?
Phalanx,
www.myspace.com/phalanx31
Hardcore metal band from
Los Angeles, guaranteed to bring about some major
headbanging.
OohLaLa,
www.myspace.com/oohlalaband
Another band from down
under who are being called a cross between Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes
and AC/DC. I seem to like all the bands I hear from
Australia, because they all seem to know
how to ROCK
Nineteen 88,
www.myspace.com/nineteen88
Old school metal band from
Evansville, Indiana.
Brings back fond memories of acid wash jeans, ripped t-shirts and a fine
layer of cheap hairspray covering every surface of my bathroom.
Derdian,
www.myspace.com/derdainspace
Prog rockers from
Milan, Italy.
Classical meets metal with a burning desire to enlighten the masses. Let the
crusade begin!
Andrew Bayuk,
www.myspace.com/andrewbayuk
Acoustic rocker from
Coral Springs, Florida
who cites the Beatles as a great influence. He sounds a little like Julian
Lennon, and he writes about peace, love and life. John would be proud.
Taylor Carson,
www.myspace.com/taylorcarson
Acoustic rocker from
Arlington, Virginia.
Reminds me of John Mayer and Ryan Cabrera.
September 2007
I hope all of you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Here in southern Wisconsin, we usually celebrate by attending the Taste of Madison. This is a two-day event featuring free music, and plenty of food and drink. Local radio stations, Magic 98 and The Lake, hosted the Pop & Rock Masters. The Pop & Rock masters included Charlie Morgan, drummer for Elton John, guitarist Jerry Riggs from the Pat Travers Band, Barry Dunaway, bassist for Yngwie Malmsteen, Mike Pinera, guitarist/vocalist from Iron
Butterfly, Pete Rivera, drummer from Rare Earth and vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, who played with both Deep Purple and Rainbow. With an amazing amount of history between them, they provided a diverse audience with top-notch performances. Some of their mutual hits included Rare Earth's "I Just Want To Celebrate" and Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," to Deep Purple's "Highway Star." Did you know the words to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
were supposed to be "In The Garden
of Eden?" Apparently the more their
vocalist tried to record those
words, the more they sounded like
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." Now you know
where one of classic rock's most
unique song titles came from!
Joe Lynn Turner did an incredible
job, squeezing in performances with
the Rock & Pop Masters while
promoting his latest album, Second
Hand Life, which you can buy at
www.fridaymusic.com. I had just
recently met Joe on the Classic Rock
Cares tour in Clearwater, Florida
last July. It was such a treat to
see him again! I also had the chance
to hang out with him and see what
it's like to be a legendary singer.
Both days Joe floated between
appearing on stage, and signing
autographs and meeting many of his
fans backstage. Not to mention doing
an official meet and greet
afterwards. It was a great privilege
to share some time with him, because
Joe Lynn Turner has to be one of the
nicest, most congenial rock stars
out there. Makes you wonder how he
worked with Ritchie Blackmore and
the infamously irritable Yngwie
Malmsteen! Perhaps those stories
shall await a future biography…
Speaking of biographies, Let There
Be Rock-The Story of AC/DC was just
released in the German language. You
can buy a copy at www.amazon.de.
Watch for a paperback edition in
English this November, and releases
in Spanish and Czech. Thanks to my
wonderful publishers at Megreal in
the Czech Republic, you can already
see a website for that edition at
'dringsafter.sweb.cz/AC-DC.html.
Here's hoping for a book signing in
Prague!
Thanks to Veronica, AKA Angus Is
Rock, who sent me some really cool
gifts from Graceland. She was lucky
enough to visit Memphis for the 30th
anniversary of the King's death.
Here in Madison, that date was
marked by the reenactment of the
night Elvis actually broke up a
fight in the parking lot of a gas
station as his limo was driving by
on the way to his hotel. It was the
night before he played here at the
Coliseum, just 52 days before he
died. An official plaque was
unveiled at the corner of East
Washington and Highway 51.
Congratulations to fellow
author/photographer, Kyle Cassidy,
whose book Armed In America is doing
amazingly well. To find a copy, go
to www.amazon.com. Kyle was just
recently interviewed on the BBC, and
appears in the German edition of
Vanity Fair! You can read all about
his adventures at
kylecassidy.livejournal.com.
More congratulations to LoNero,
www.myspace.com/lonero, who made it
into the October issue of Guitar
Player magazine. I told you their
song "Loose" was a hit!
Clear Blue Betty,
www.clearbluebetty.com, who have
been in the studio recording an EP
with Jake Johnson at Paradigm
Studios, will be making a return
appearance at the Badger Music
Theater in Reedsburg on Saturday,
September 15.
Kunu, former members of Potter's
Field and Begin The End will be
performing at The Madcity
Underground Tour 2007 at Roadhouse
51 in Portage, Wisconsin on
Saturday, September 15. Also
appearing will be Malice In
Wonderland, Hebron, Dissent and
Revolt, Lords of Discipline, Kill
Jr., Stalkerguiltysyndrome and Bled
Guilty. Tickets are $6 in advance,
$8 Day of Show.
Sincere condolences to the family,
friends and fans of Ron "Rondo"
DeBernadis who died in a house fire
in Superior, Wisconsin on August 3.
Rondo was a member of '80's band
Lezlie Thriller, as well as many
Twin cities based bands. He was also
the manager of Superior music clubs
Third Rock and the Pacific Club. You
can hear one of his live tracks, and
sign a condolence book at www.scratchmusiccentral.com.
The Pipe Circus, www.pipecircus.com
will be appearing at the King Club
on Thursday, September 6 and at Club
Kryptonite in Rockford on Friday,
September 7. Check their website for
details on the Jack Hartmann Open at
the Spring Creek Golf Center in
Whitewater on Saturday, September
15. Jack Hartmann was born with a
serious heart condition, and this
will be a benefit for him. Live
music will be provided by The
Barracudas and Bleu Phrog, plus
there will be food, contests, and
much more! First tee time will be
approximately 9 am.
Thanks to You Tube, you can see
Revolush live on the radio at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JurusAylh6U .
Don't forget to vote for Revolush
and vocalist Tommy Hahn in the Best
of Milwaukee poll at
www.shepardexpress.com. Hahn won
last year for Best Male Vocalist,
and I would like to see him remain
undefeated!
My Space Favorites for September-
Dave Evans, www.myspace.com/daveevanrocks
Original screamer for AC/DC, Dave
has rockin' new album available
called Sinner.
Robert Pieculewicz, www.myspace.com/pieculewicz
Major guitar shredder from Poland in
the vein of Steve Vai.
Rico Monaco & Sol Sons,
www.myspace.com/ricomonacosolsons
Latino pop/rocker from Orlando,
Florida.
Dura, www.myspace.com/duramusic
Infectious rock and roll from
Melbourne, Australia.
Undivided, www.myspace.com/undividedaz
Bluesy metal 4 piece band with tasty
guitar and hot vocals band from
Chandler, Arizona.
Beyond Fate, www.myspace.com/beyondfateband
Cool metal/rock/alternative band
from Appleton, Wisconsin.
But Seriously, www.myspace.com/butseriouslylive
Great 3 piece boogie/rock band from
Ireland.
The Ninglers, www.myspace.com/theninglers
Crazy rockers from Sendai, Japan.
You can't understand a word they're
singing, but they still ROCK!
Pete Moss, www.myspace.com/petemoss
Classic rocker from Canada with
great vocals and an even better
groove!
AUGUST 2007
This past month I had the pleasure
of having lunch with Roy Elkins, his
wife Stephanie, and their staff over
at Broadjam,
www.broadjam.com, here in
Madison. If you’re not already a
member of Broadjam, you should check
out a great way to sell your music,
actually sign a deal to have your
songs placed in movie and television
soundtracks, or place a song with an
ex-American Idol who is now looking
for new tunes. Broadjam’s services
include hosting websites, selling
your music, (only keeping 19 cents
of your 99 cent sale), plus they
offer numerous contests for bands
and solo artists. Unlike similar
websites, Broadjam is a direct
connection to the people who are
actually looking for songs in the
music industry. In just a few years
they have established some great
connections, including handling the
official voting for the Country
Music Awards. Roy actually gets to
stand by the side of the stage and
hand out the results drawn from a
briefcase that only he has access
to. Now how cool is that? Musicians
ask me all the time how they can get
signed to a record deal. I would
recommend that you get involved with
Broadjam, because they are offering
you more options for your music,
plus it’s a great company that’s
doing great things for independent
musicians!
I also met with an upcoming band,
Alton Kelly, who was third runner up
in the Launchpad Competition. They
are a great group of students, who
have a very mature sound. The band
members are dedicated, all taking
lessons outside of their regular
band practices. If they work hard
and keep writing great songs, I
predict very big things for this
band!
The Merkins,
www.themerkins.net, will be at
the Polo Room in Polo, Illinois with
Axiom on Friday, August 17. The show
starts at 9pm, with a $5 cover. See
why they are known as one of most
fun bands northern Illinois has to
offer. And yeah I know, this is
supposed to be the Wisconsin Music
News. Loosen up!
There’s a lot going on Friday,
August 17 with several events
happening here in Wisconsin.
Boomslang, www.boomslang217.com,
will be appearing at the High Noon
Saloon with Hebron and Ottoman
Empire. If you like bands like
Pantera and Hell Yeah, you will love
Boomslang!
Former Driver 13 members, Kerry
Koppen, Todd Anderson, and DJ
Natural Selector will be playing at
the Klinic with Clint Smith on bass
and Tracy Kastner on vocals. For
that night they will be known as
Beautiful To Sick. If you can think
of a better name, feel free to send
your suggestions to
www.myspace.com/driver13.
A few miles north in Spring Green,
Clownboy will be celebrating his
recuperation from a broken leg, at
Arthur’s with Clear Blue Betty,
www.clearbluebetty.com .
Unfortunately Clownboy hit a deer a
few weeks ago while on his
motorcycle. After surgery, and
several weeks of healing, he is on
the mend already up and back out
supporting local music. After
hearing that he was a huge Joe Lynn
Turner fan, I got him an autograph
when I saw Joe on the Classic Rock
Cares Tour in Clearwater, Florida.
He signed it, “Clown Boy, Watch out
for the deer!”
Joe Lynn Turner will lend his
amazing voice to the Rock and Pop
Masters on The Lake stage at the
Taste of Madison on Sunday,
September 2. He will be appearing
with Mike Pinera from Iron Butterfly
and Peter Rivera from Rare Earth.
Joe’s new album, Second Hand Life,
is currently available at
www.itunes.com, and
www.fridaymusic.com. One of the
featured songs, “Over The Top,” was
co-written by ex-Madisonian
singer/songwriter, Steve Johnstad,
also known as Zeus. Johnstad has
worked with several bands, including
House of Lords and Japan’s Loudness.
Sunspot,
www.sunspotmusic.com, one of my
all-time favorite bands will be
appearing at the Annex on Saturday,
August 18. Also playing will be
Heart-Set Self-Destruct, Axis and
Axiom. This will be a CD release
party for Axiom, and you only have
to be 18+ to get in. Cover is $5.
My Space Favorites for August-
Alton Kelly,
www.myspace.com/altonkelly
4-piece band from Madison, Wisconsin
who are still in HIGH SCHOOL! Check
out their mellow/jazzy tunes fronted
by amazing lead vocalist Ricci
Fisher
Potent,
www.myspace.com/potent
Damn! An L.A. band who claim to be a
cross between Rage Against The
Machine and Dr. Dre. All I know is
they’re GOOD!
Unmaker,
www.myspace.com/unmaker
Really pissed off metal thrashers
from Brazil
After Elvis,
www.myspace.com/afterelvis
Melodic, yet heavy rock band from
Knoxville, Tennessee
Gun Shy,
www.myspace.com/gunshytheband
Possibly the youngest
classic/punk/pop rockers out there,
hailing from Saint Clair Shores,
Michigan.
Each Revolving Door,
www.myspace.com/eachrevolvingdoor
Excellent rock band from Australia,
featuring Kirsti Smith on vocals.
Girls rock!
Falling Closer,
www.myspace.com/fallingcloser
Top notch rock band from Portland,
Oregon. Where the hell is THEIR
record deal?
Ichabod Crane,
www.myspace.com/ichabodcranerocks
Crunchy metal rock from Sweden. Tony
Iommi liked them enough to play
their song
Monsters on his Planet Rock radio
show.
|
LINKS
Wisconsin Music News