We ran across a well-established Scorching Metal Band a short time back and I was pleased to be able to communicate with metal vocalist Petronela Hederova of Thalarion from her home of Bratislava, Slovakia.
Thalarion being a Scorching Metal Band she was at first wondering if it was a proper fit for Guitardoor, as with everyone I explained we don’t limit our interests and I was very interested in their music. But we told her we like everything louder when it comes to guitars so here is the Guitardoor interview with Thalarion.
I found that question and our subsequent brief discussions charming and considerate. There was a small delay as she was fielding interviews from France and other countries and was classy to keep me in the loop. Highly professional and just a pleasure to chat with.
How did the band initially come together and How Long has it been together?
This is a long story, but when it comes to my arrival in the band Thalarion, it can be dated around the year 1998. At that time I was looking specifically for this type of band that would accept a female vocalist.
Juraj answered extremely fast – one day I wrote him a letter (emails were not that frequent back then) and on another day I found a response in my mailbox. It was a miracle since it usually takes several days for a post to deliver a letter.
Tell us about the current members and the New album
Current members are easy to remember – they are all either Peter or Juraj:) I am not joking: Peter Bartakovic, Juraj Grezdo, Juraj Schlosser, Peter Schlosser, Peter Dvorak and myself – Petronela Hederova (close to Peter).
There will be some changes and extra players for live shows. The Album “Dying on the Scorched Plains” was released after the almost 2-decade break. It consists of an intro and 9 songs. They all can be found on Spotify and elsewhere.
You have certainly played some high-profile shows over the years. Any Particular highlights or stories from those experiences?
We played many gigs and some are hard to remember for me as I feel like having a memory blackout (it was so long ago that it feels like another life). I guess the best was big festivals in the Czech republic – Brutal Assault and Nuclear Storm. There are some live videos from events on YouTube. But of course, Also small club concerts had their specific charm
Obviously, Covid has Created major issues but do you plan to tour behind the new record?
Yes indeed, we already have some plans for 2022. Let’s see how the situation will unfold. IT would be really great to show up at some festivals, too.
Your Passion for music is very apparent, what keeps you motivated?
Appreciation and positive feedback from the audience, and numbers on Spotify and YouTube. I am very angry at Youtube since they decreased views on our video (allegedly because of some algorithm). But seriously, guys are motivated by themselves. Our main music composer Peter Bartakovic is capable of big things, he can create an album in a week or so.
Our guitarists also have their other music projects – Juraj Schlosser plays in Flashback to Future (along with Peter Dvorak) and Nailed Nazarene (with Juraj Grezdo). Peter Bartakovic is active in Constans Compromissum.
I am looking forward to Thalarion climbing Higher in the coming years. They certainly have all the qualities to achieve their wishes and dreams. They do stand out brightly from the pack. Intensely talented and ambitious they are going full steam ahead. We wish them all good things and continued success as a Force in Metal.
There were many sides to Kurt. We hear stories of Cobain trowing a computer out the window or smashing guitars and singing great songs. We are just picking a few unknown sides of for today’s article on guitardoor we hope you enjoy.
I was aware of Nirvana long before their first recording of “Bleach” due to a very particular circumstance. I lived so far up on a Mountain that frequencies carried to Ohio from as far as Florida on the radio, and funnily I had a wah Pedal that if you turned it on and set it in a precise spot it picked up Cuban Radio! In the early and mid-80s, the cassette was still a highly used Media and I found a strange radio station that played cassette recordings of demos and work tapes of bands unheard of outside their home base. The band intrigued me back then.
So when “Bleach” and “Nevermind’ were out I was already a fan. I Followed their career and studied everything I could find well after Kurt’s death. I thought I knew about pretty much everything there was to know. That was until today when Chris Dempsey sent me a video we are going to share with you now. This is Kurt the human, not the King of Grunge.
Kurt Cobain on Challenging the Mainstream
Musically Kurt was a fan of Diverse nature as well, Hawkwind, a plethora of punk and alternative music, and Daniel Johnston whose T-Shirt “How are you” with an alien was made famous showing the helpful and supportive side of Cobain. If you don’t know about Daniel who sadly passed away in 2019, it doesn’t get more interesting for cartoonists than Daniel Johnston’s life story.
Kurt Cobain Hollogram
There was some discussion on a Kurt Cobain Hologram show with Krist and Dave. If it comes to fruition remains to be seen. I was thrilled to see the people called upon to step up to the Mic at Nirvana’s induction into The Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. Joan Jett, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, and others.
Nirvana. The 29th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony 2014
The 29th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2014 included the induction of Nirvana, one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music. The ceremony took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on April 10th, 2014. The surviving members of Nirvana, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, were joined on stage by various guest vocalists, including Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, and Lorde, to perform a selection of the band’s most iconic songs. The induction of Nirvana into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame was a testament to their enduring legacy and influence on the genre of rock music.
Nirvana rock hall of famers since 2014
I’m sure there will always be Mystery surrounding Kurt Cobain. I prefer to celebrate his life as opposed to many who mark his Demise. In Place of R.I.P. I say Thank you to the Universe Kurt Cobain Born February 20, 1967.
Kurt Cobain’s Chaotic Creative Sides
Kurt Cobain was known for his chaotic creative sides, which were evident in his music, lyrics, and artwork. Cobain’s music was a blend of punk, rock, and pop, and his lyrics were often introspective and raw.
Cobain’s creative process was often chaotic, and he would write songs and lyrics in a stream-of-consciousness style. He was known for his ability to capture emotions and feelings in his music, and his lyrics often dealt with themes of alienation, depression, and social issues. Cobain’s artwork was also reflective of his chaotic creative sides, and he often used mixed media to create collages and paintings that were raw and emotional.
Despite his chaotic creative sides, Cobain was a talented musician and artist who left a lasting impact on the music industry. His music and artwork continue to inspire and influence artists today, and his legacy lives on through his fans and the many musicians who have been influenced by his work
5 Essential Punk Bands to know
Before Reading 5 Essential Punk Bands to know Read the Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER.. If you are offended by Language, Political Truths that are uncomfortable, or the Truth period not glossed over… this is not your cup of tea. Skip it. For me, Punk Has always been the Mirror some never want to look in. Life is not pretty, but it’s Very Very REAL. I personally don’t carry a Banner for others’ beliefs, only my own. I Believe in Freedom, whether I like it or not. I don’t do Cancel Culture.
I would rather write about 50 but had to trim it down to a number I could work and not become Methusela. Punk and Hardcore has so many Gems and is such a part of the fabric of Music History. All Punk/Hardcore bands from the most famous to the garage act of today all matter.
1.The Germs
Total Anarchy! The Germs were from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1976 to 1980. The band’s main early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and drummer Don Bolles. They released only one album, 1979’s (GI), produced by Joan Jett, and were featured the following year in Penelope Spheeris’ documentary film The Decline of Western Civilization, which chronicled the Los Angeles punk movement.
Germs disbanded following Crash’s suicide in 1980.
Germs – The Whiskey, Los Angeles 1979
Former Runaway and solo artist Joan Jett got tapped to help capture the Rawness of this Iconic Mayhem.
On Joan Jett Producing the Germs Record
2. The Damned.
The Damned were incredibly Musically inclined by comparison to many but they retained the spirit of Punk because well they frankly were up for anything. The band was formed in London in 1976 by lead vocalist Dave Vanian, guitarist Brian James, bassist (and later guitarist) Captain Sensible, and drummer Rat Scabies.
They were the first punk rock band from the United Kingdom to release a single, “New Rose” (1976), release an album, Damned Damned Damned (1977), and tour the United States
The Damned – New Rose (Official HD video)
The Damned – Neat Neat Neat – Supersonic 1977 HD Best Version
3. Black Flag
Black Flag was formed in 1976 First called Panic, the band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of the first hardcore punk bands, as well as one of the pioneers of post-hardcore.
Black Flag by any means parts 1 and 2
By Any Means: A Brief History of Black Flag (Part 1: 1976-1980)
By Any Means: A Brief History of Black Flag (Part 2: 1980-1986)
4. The Sex Pistols
Now I love Johnny Rotten. As the Years have gone by and the insolence is still there, but he’s proven his incredible Intelligence and could do well to be a world leader, but he’d never have that. He cites the Fact if there were no Hawkwind or Alice Cooper they may have not been a Johnny Rotten. With guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock.
Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977. Under the management of Malcolm McLaren, the band attracted controversies that both captivated and appalled Britain. The band’s only album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977)—a UK number one album—is a staple record of punk rock. In January 1978, at the end of their over-hyped and turbulent tour of the United States, Rotten announced the band’s break-up.
They did everything with a Flare and Flame. Steve Jones could explain why Bowie sang “The Music comes out better on a Stolen Guitar.”
Sex Pistols – Pretty Vacant (My Reproduction 20/20)
The Pistols Chaotic Tour Of America 1978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpf0MWobV2Q
5. FEAR
Lee Ving. One of my favorite people. They Broke the Mold on him. Formed in 1977, The band is credited for helping to shape the sound and style of Californian hardcore punk.
No Matter the Line up they are even now Relentless. Dig into the internet to find the things you won’t find here. I Must just share the Madness in short Form. A Tease, a Taste of Beef Bologna. Remember any press is good press!
Video FEAR I Don’t care about you!
FEAR on SNL
Sunshine for the Soul Marcus Malone
Marcus Malone is a skilled guitar player who has been active in the music industry for several years. He has played with various bands and musicians, showcasing his talent and versatility. Malone’s style is characterized by his ability to seamlessly blend different genres, including blues, rock, and jazz. He is known for his technical proficiency and his ability to improvise on the spot. Malone’s contributions to the music industry have earned him a loyal fan base and the respect of his peers. Today we are Interviewing guitarist Malone but here some of his latest work with Pete Feenstra’s Lyrics and the guitar of Muddy Muddy Manninen.
When George Clinton asked, “What is Soul?” It could easily have been answered by saying “Marcus Malone”.
Life Circumstances and the timing finally brought Marcus and me together on this project. I was pleased to learn about his personality. It was summed up in one of our emails that he wanted to make sure he fit our format here. He didn’t want to claim Virtuosity.
“I do play guitar but I’m primarily a vocalist with the guitar as a secondary instrument. I always have a main guitarist like Innes Sibun at the moment and am also writing and planning on touring with Muddy Manninen.”
However, 7 seconds of a song like “Rolling Stone” will let you know Marcus is a very capable Riff Master.
Rolling Stone (Malone) – Malone Sibun Band @ The Musician Venue
In his home of Detroit, Michigan he heard all manner of music. Some in the Church and some from a dressing room were underage he found himself in the same show with Bobby Blue Bland and B.B. King. He wasn’t allowed to leave the room except to hit the stage and then be ushered off.
Marcus provided me with excerpts from an interview with Pete Clack. It’s Marcus on Marcus, No better source than words from the man himself.
We (The Marcus Band) opened up for Iggy and the Stooges, Bob Segar, New York Dolls, Ted Nugent, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, David Ruffin, and tons of other touring bands passing through Detroit.”
He was a member of Mitch Ryder “s Detroit Wheels. “I had gone to a couple of after-hour jams in East Detroit before pursuing my own band with Gene Black (Heart, Joe Cocker) and the bass player from the Wheels approached me about putting a new version of the Wheels together as Mitch was leaving.
It was my first well-paid gig and an early education about the rough side of rock n’ roll. We played 7 nights a week at a place in East Detroit called Sexy Sadies. The venue was as decadent as the name. Packed with stoners, drug addicts, groupies, and great rock musicians.
The Hodge Brothers, The Rockets, and tons of great players passed through the revolving door until they lost their license and were shut down. A real eye-opener for me and the beginning of my pursuit to put my own rock band together.
I still loved Motown but I needed to express myself in a much ‘heavier’ form. I made my way to Ann Arbor, home of the MC5, Iggy Pop, and SCR.. punk was alive and well.
I put my first band together there and started doing cover gigs in the Detroit suburbs. At first ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Bowie, Allman Bros, and then we started writing our own songs along the same line as the bands we were covering so people wouldn’t notice we were doing originals (especially the club owners).
We recorded a demo that was heard by Ike Turner and his management and after flying to Detroit to see us, he paid for us to come to LA where we were signed by his (Ike’s) label – United Artist Records which is now EMI Capitol.. “
Marcus Malone band: Let The Sunshine In
Tough music runs in the very blood of Detroit. No Fakers allowed. I have found that if you can win over an audience of one in Detroit then you can make it happen anywhere. So That’s what Marcus did. He went across the Pond and in short order found himself playing the Royal Albert Hall with B.B. King. He was free to leave the dressing room this round.
Over the years he has been involved in self-releasing his records under the “Red Line Records” umbrella. Marcus stated in clarity” I’ve been self-releasing all my albums in the UK so far.
I do this in the name of Redline Music. I can therefore do what I want and take whatever risks. With the latest projects, I’ve been working on it seems I have some small label interest which is cool. So looking forward to working with a label that can take care of the business and I can do more music.
Currently, he has many records available, and as he explained to “Blues In Britain” magazine … “Well during ‘Lockdown’ which pretty much was a ‘Shutdown’ of live music I concentrated on new and old avenues of collaboration with musicians in the UK and US.
Unfortunately, the Malone Sibun Album was released one week before Lockdown which was very disheartening for us having spent a small fortune on advertising and promoting gigs in the UK and EU, only to have them all canceled.
So I have co-written an EP with Innes which will be released at the beginning of the year and we have a few gigs coming back to us. We had some gigs in the EU but as things are going at this point with ‘the virus’, they may not happen.
Limelight in Aylesbury in Jan and the Riverside Rhythm Club in Gillingham 3 February and a few more live gigs in March and April will hopefully not be moved or canceled.”
“I’ve collaborated with a couple of other songwriters (Muddy Manninen- guitarist and Pete Feenstra – lyricist) to form a group, Black Pearl. We’ve completed an album we hope to get signed and released early next year.”
Malone Sibun Band @ Colne The Great British R&B FestiVAL
Marcus Lives in the U.K. but his Heart is still in Detroit. He shares the soul he found there with the rest of the world. He is an entertainer equal to anyone. Blues, Soul, and what could be considered Classic Rock. It’s all music and he is a Mighty force.
Malones Music on the Black Pearl Album 2022
Malone is currently a member of Black Pearl a contemporary blues rock collaboration between himself and the moved-on from wishbone ash guitarist Muddy Manninen who was featured in the freeing the firebird article interview along with songs co-written by our friend Pete Feenstra. This is a short compilation of their music in a promo video for the self-titled album Black Pearl.
https://www.marcusmalone.com/index.html
Marcus Malone And Pete Feenstra on the Mike Wagner Show
Finally we are leaving you with this chat on the Mike Wagner show with Pete Feenstra and Marcus Malone where they talk about their works and upcoming shows and events.
Brian Jonestown Massacre the industry
Brian Jonestown Massacre probably has had even more members than Hawkwind and the Grateful Dead. But they were nearly all big against the industry elites. True Massacres of the industry
There is nothing like the Brian Jonestown Massacre. They have a drug-fueled, Bullet riddled history and are still going with a new Album released in 2021. They are one of my favorite bands of all time.
Anton Newcombe has been the Brainchild and has brought the artistic level of their catalog to its glory and at times singularly destroyed many opportunities. However, he never did anything halfway, if there was trouble he simply poured more gasoline on the fire.
The Guitar based rock band has been his baby, but every member has stood on equal footing. Joel Gion specifically is someone I would put on my Bucket List to sit and have a conversation with.
He has been the Front and Center Tambourine man, comedic relief, and somewhat the face of the band. From Matt Hollywood to every member past and present, everyone has left their stamp on the music.
Since forming in 1990 The Massacre has been able to keep the guitar-based music influenced by the retro ’60s sounds Fresh. They are not a throwback to anything. They have harnessed the music and instruments of decades gone by and given it a new life. The band is a living and breathing force.
Brian Jonestown Massacre – Servo
Using an arsenal of vintage Vox guitars and many other Pawn Shop treasures they have recalled the times of The Velvet Underground and a few obscure others but created new music.
Beginning with demos that were titled “Pol Pot’s Pleasure Penthouse” in a couple of short years they were off and running.”Spacegirl and Other Favorites” “Methodrone” moved the reputation along. In 1996 they recorded 3 albums in one year alone.
Those are now thought of as the classic lineup and widely the best 3 albums in their story. “Take it From the Man!” “Their Satanic Majesties’ Second Request” (a nod to The Rolling Stones Brian Jones) and “Thank God for Mental Illness “
BJM Full Show Atlanta Live 1998 Best Audio
They continued to make a wealth of records and friends and my first exposure to them was a Documentary of their working relationship and largely positive association with the band “The Dandy Warhols”. The film was released in 2004. “DIG!” put them on my radar as well as the Dandies.
I am not normally a pop music fan but the film showed both bands equally rising and I became a Dandy Warhols fan. The two bands could not be more different, Light and Shade.
It documents very well the complexities of driven bands dealing with the music landscape of the times and the Reckless abandon of both, yet BJTM was definitely the Dark anarchists of the two and the success and differing definitions of what success meant were and are fascinating. 7 years of both bands’ excess and triumphs, with a great dash of competition and self-destruction.
DIG! VF / The Brian Jonestown Massacre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU0vYaFH7Vk
Somewhere around the many band members came and went. The Albums kept on being made under many different situations aside from any solo and other collaborations by Anton
Albums By The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Methodrone (1995) Spacegirl and Other Favorites (1995) Take It from the Man! (1996) Their Satanic Majesties’ Second Request (1996) Thank God for Mental Illness (1996) Give It Back! (1997) Strung Out in Heaven (1998) Bravery Repetition and Noise (2001) …And This Is Our Music (2003) My Bloody Underground (2008) Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? (2010) Aufheben (2012) Revelation (2014) Musique de Film Imaginé (2015) Mini Album Thingy Wingy (2015) Third World Pyramid (2016) Don’t Get Lost (2017) Something Else (2018) The Brian Jonestown Massacre (2019)
TAMBOURINE MAN: Interview with Joel Gion of The Brian Jonestown Massacre
As it Stands the band appears on the tour for 2022 to support “Fire Grows on Trees” on the road with Mercury Rev.
If you are any sort of music fan I think you will find many things to like in any given album.Much like the statement made by Jerry Garcia about the Grateful Dead they are like Black Licorice Candy “ Not everyone likes it but the ones that do REALLY Like it.”
5 easy to play country guitar songs
Country music has been a popular genre for many decades and continues to attract a lot of fans. If you’re interested in learning how to play guitar, you might want to start with easy to play country guitar songs. The guitar is a versatile instrument and can be used to play many different styles of music. Simple country songs are often easy to learn and can be a great way to get started playing the guitar. They typically feature straightforward chord progressions and basic strumming patterns. Additionally, many of these songs have catchy melodies and memorable lyrics. Learning to play simple country songs on guitar can be a great way to improve your playing skills, have fun, and connect with other guitarists who share your love of country music. Before learning country songs on guitar, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with some of the basic cowboy chords, also sometimes referred to as whiskey chords.
The search for an easy-to-play country guitar song is one of the most popular choices for beginners who want to learn to play the guitar. In this regard, I have compiled a list of 5 easy country songs that you can play on guitar. These songs are mainly focused on chords, rhythm, and tempo, and are performed as a group. I have chosen artists with a distinctive style, so once you learn to play one song, you can have a better understanding of their other works as well. Some of these songs were played by me in my early days as a 16-year-old player, playing for 15 years in Honky Tonks.
1:Waylon Jennings “Lonesome On’ry and Mean”
THE outlaw Waylon had his signature ideas. It was a simple Telecaster and a Chorus pedal to the amp. Even the Lead breaks he plays are simple but Important and have their elegant character. Based out on the Key of D and including a quick C to G dynamic accent, with the chorus also including C to G back to D it’s a quick study. The Rhythm and dynamics are the things you want under your belt to play this song perfectly but practicing this good country tune will help you achieve that in the long run.
2: Johnny Cash’s “Big River”
Johnny Cash was known for his skill in using the guitars of his rhythm, which were expertly echoed by the late great Luther Perkins. Luther was also a lead man, much like Waylon, with an economical yet impactful style. Once again, the focus is on the style. However, given the uncertainty regarding the root chord and recording speeds, I’ve included a tutorial video to help clarify things. Keep in mind that the feel of the music is just as important as the chords themselves.
George‘s voice often distracted everyone from what he was doing on the Guitar. In this case, he is using a Capo on the second Fret and working from there.
This song is a prime example of a “walk-up” a dynamic used greatly in Country Music and I’m 99% sure came from The Church and Gospel Piano. Remember even Rock Players Like Chuck Berry were being led to dynamics and keys that were originating from Piano.
George Jones If Drinking Don’t Kill Me” (Her Memory Will) Chords on Chordify No Capo
Bocephus is a Master songwriter, Rhythm, and Lead Maestro. Here you are finding the intro to a simple structure., but in the case of all these songs, the word simple is not there to downplay it. It’s about the Distillation of music same as Making Powerful Moonshine and Whiskey. Intro G and D and again as you go you find the “walk-up” meaning quick notes or chords leading to the other primary Parts. G A B C to the G in the verse and then at the end of the verse and extended G and then D. The chorus employs much of the same structure. Feel your way around it and you begin to be able to anticipate the changes.
In General, I am not a guitar teacher at all. I use my own tunings which change many things but I find I can find bits of focus for a beginner. My Beginning was shouting” What key is it in? G ok Go” and I would figure it out, on-the-job training sometimes in front of 200 or 2 thousand depending on the gig.
I love old school Country as it is part of my life, and once you learn the intricate aspects you are gaining knowledge to use in many other forms of music. When I speak of things like “walkups” or “walk-downs” one mistake many guitarists make is that they more often listen to the guitar part. I advise people to listen to the Bass Player as well, the structure lies there and even though most might think Bass in country music is background, it is in actual fact the bone of any real band or song. Learning the Bassline can make you a better guitar player who finds it easy to play country guitar.
Taby Tabfritz I came to find the playing of Taby in an “outsider” music forum. Where anything goes and all things reign.
Chris Dempsey and I had been discussing that we were open to talking with not only Guitarists but Bass Players and people in other areas of music also. This is so we can build a network of musical artists here on Guitardoor so visitors can discover and engage with another musical talent. I may have found just that! Mr. Tabfritz is equally adept at both.
His Bass playing struck me as The work of a wise player. He wasn’t into the “Look at me” he was more “Listen to the Instrument.” He lets the playing breathe, playing the melody and then finding the right timing for the next note.
Much Like Miles Davis, he waits for the right moment to speak the note. The occasional Jaco harmonic is followed by his own Improvisation. The Man clearly is a student of musicianship and Music History.
We are pleased to share the music and thoughts of Leipzig, Germany’s Taby Tabfritz. Starting out with something a bit upbeat….
Taby – What Went Wrong
What brought you to music and What was your first Instrument?
I was always attracted to Rock sounds on the radio but then when I was 15 a cousin of mine put on the first Zeppelin album and it blew my mind It was so powerful! Then one day he happened to have a Bass and he taught me right there on-the-spot electric funeral from Black Sabbath. I played it and I was hooked!
So Taby Tabfritz Tell us a bit about your Background in life?
I was born in Greece. I lived in a small town called Loutraki. There were not many things to do there so music was a great way to pass time and enjoy ourselves. I was always forming little projects with friends.
Who do you Recall being your early influences?
Of course, like many, I started with hard rock and metal but then going deeper I discovered bands like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Mogwai, Miles Davis…so many genres.I consider my ears “spoiled”! Ha Ha Ha!.
Taby – Distance
What sort of things do you have in mind for the Future?
I try to be able to play many different genres but I think that basically I am a rock/hard rock bass player and that’s currently the band I want to form, Sprinkled with Prog and Post Rock elements!
Taby – The Calm And The Storm
Who do you find you draw Inspiration from?
My first bass player love was Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath. Man!… The way he digs in is Amazing.
Later came Flea, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, and of course, Jaco Pastorious still is Incredible. He’s the goat! Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten…There are so many players I admire what stands out in your mind about music and life experiences Related to it? I always remember fondly all the nice moments we shared at concerts with bandmates and audiences (some better than others Ha Hai) but it’s always a special, spiritual moment.
It seems like time stops for a while and that’s all there is. The music and the Unity that you wish could last forever.
Any Ultimate Goals?
For the future, I want to form a band and finally start playing my own original music which I have never done before. After 40 years I finally Have the confidence to do it!
Do You have any advice for an aspiring player starting out now?
To anyone that wants to pick up an instrument, I say do it! It will expand your mind and educate you in ways you’d never expect!
You can only gain from learning Music! Surely there will be frustrations along the way but it’s only an exercise in overcoming! Music has helped me when no one could. I’m very grateful I discovered it and it keeps me going, keeps me sane! Like Frank Zappa said Music is the Best!!
I am a Metal Head as I have often said before regardless of the style of music I personally write. I was an active Headbanger at the age of 13 seeing the Legends live. There are times that seem empty of Truly inspired Metal. Chris one day said, “Hey what about these guys?” I had a quick listen and got excited again. Six Pack of Doom instantly conveyed the best of Classic and Modern Metal in one package. It, for my money, is a time trip back to the Heavy Metal Heyday while keeping their own sound and vision.
The Plus side is You know it’s a Band you are going to be able to go see Live that stacks up to some of your favorite memories of days gone by. “Chaos in Control” is a Perfect package of Thrashing Metal Long overdue. It will be part of my ongoing music collection. Today we hear the story from Guitarist Andy Oliphant of this awesome band.
What is your position in the band? & What is the current lineup?
My name is Andy Oliphant, and I share rhythm & lead guitar duties with Marty Mostad. Carl Crosswhite is the vocalist and wrote all lyrics on the new album CHAOS IN CONTROL. Justin Harrison is on bass, and Mike Jacobs is on drums.
Where was the current project recorded?
CHAOS IN CONTROL was recorded at DSD2 Studio in Ventura, CA, and was mixed & mastered by Chris Collier at CMC21 Productions (known for his work with Fear Factory, Prong, Lynchmob, and others).
Six Pack Of Doom – Avenge My Death (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT7TAiQxRlo
How did the band come together and how long have you been together?
Six Pack Of Doom rose out of the disbanded Cessation Of Life in 2012, with members having a new and more energetic concept. With original vocalist Joel Perkins, the band had more metal-meets-punk sound in the beginning. It became clear that a change was needed, and the beginning of that was the addition of myself on guitars in September 2019 when we began to work on the new record, followed by Carl on vocals in the summer of 2020. We refocused on a more aggressive and complex metal sound for this “six pack” of new songs.
What was the particular inspiration behind the EP’s set of songs?
Musically we wanted to get back to our thrash roots and do something a little more technical than what we had done in the past. We wanted to play something with more substance than a generic chug riff. Lyrically, Carl looked towards classic metal themes like War (Avenge My Death), Dystopian Future (Chaos In Control), The Occult (The Sorceress), Fate (The Harbinger), Life Struggles (Tree of Life), and the universal song inspiration of Heartbreak (Stare Decisis).
Six Pack Of Doom live at The Whiskey 9.24.21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzlN9r4JfQs
The Guitar end of things, what is a brief rundown on your gear?
I’m playing Kiesel guitars right now, currently, my main guitar is a Neck-thru Aries Multiscale 7-string, with the album having been recorded on a DCM7 and AM7 (both multiscale 7-string guitars) and Marty used his USA Jackson guitars.
Live, I am running a rack setup with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV, and I am hugely impressed with my recent addition of the ISP Decimator Pro Rack G noise gate. Marty uses his rackmount Kemper, and both of us are running Mesa speaker cabs. For Chaos In Control, all guitars were recorded on a Kemper for the sake of convenience and consistency.
What’s next in plans for Six Pack of Doom?
We are currently supporting the album release and booking shows. We played with Soulfly at The Whiskey in Hollywood, CA, which was an especially fun show for all of us. Meanwhile, we are beginning the writing process for our next “six pack” of songs, and we intend to continue to release material in that format.
We have a great digital distribution pipeline so the album is all over the major streaming services. Physical distribution is all independent, so all CD sales are direct through the band. We would like to release it on vinyl in the future.
The elements of tasteful twin guitar parts combined with Raw Raging Riffs and Sonic Bomb of the Bass and Drums Demand your attention. “Stare Decisis” encapsulates everything great Metal is supposed to be. “The Harbinger” and “Tree of Life” will just hammer you into submission. The whole of “Chaos in Control” as a project knocks it out of the park.
Six Pack of Doom has made an instant Classic recording! If they work their way to The Ohio area I will be standing in the Que ticket in hand. Five Stars Gentlemen!
The Guitar Guardian Interview With Michael Molenda
The Guitar Guardian Michael Molenda is with us today for a Guitardoor Interview. He and I have been in each other’s orbit on and off since 2007. He was kind enough to include me in Guitar Player Magazine’s “Editor Boy’s Big Eight” feature for my song “Black Widow”. He has Graciously tolerated my ambitious pestering over these years.
Being the Longest running Editor for Guitar Player is by far not the be-all-end-all of his musical involvement. I have watched closely during this time of on and off communications small sections of his time as a player and now am pleased to learn myself and share with you his story in his own words.
What brought you to the Guitar? What was your first guitar, First performance?
“Like pretty much everyone in my age group, seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, was a seismic event. My dad hated them, of course, so I was 100 percent in. I wanted the boots, the trading cards, and the hair, and I circled the crap guitars in the Sears catalog with a pen hoping to get one for Christmas.
That didn’t happen—not really a surprise. But, incredibly, one of my 7,450-year-old Italian aunties sent me a copy of Songs, Pictures, and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles on Vee-Jay Records as a gift. Who knew? I hid the album at my grandma’s and played the crap out of it. Inspiration was brewing…”
“But it wasn’t until I saw The Who performing in some London town park on the Today Show when I was home sick from school that I really got the playing jones. The Beatles looked so beautiful and flash and ultra-cool that they were intimidating. But The Who was kinda like me and the kids at school, so I thought, “Hey, I can do this!”
“My mom took pity on me, bought a cheap acoustic at a local music shop, and enrolled me in lessons with an elderly Swedish woman. It wasn’t what I expected.
Playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on an acoustic guitar was a long-ass way from rocking out “Please Please Me” on an electric Rickenbacker. Furthermore, when I brought the teacher some Beatles sheet music, she took out a pen and corrected it! “This can’t be,” she said. “It’s not in the right key.”
“I told my mom I’d rather join the Cub Scouts. That was the end of Mike on Guitar Phase I.”
“When I got to high school, a kid named Kirk Griffin was fronting a ’50s-style band that played in the food court. He had a semi-hollow Fender Telecaster, and I was entranced once again.
I brought in my best friend Mark Davis as a co-conspirator. We bought super-cheap, off-brand electrics (mine was a black Les Paul knock-off with gold hardware) and Fender Champ amps and we tried to jam. Just awful. But I bought all of the rock-lesson books that I could, picked up Guitar Player magazine religiously, locked myself in the bathroom for hours, and practiced like a demon.
I also developed a thing for attempting to write songs and record them on a Radio Shack cassette recorder—thanks to Pete Townshend for giving me the composing/recording bug.”
“Finally, the aforementioned Kirk Griffin started another band to do contemporary rock covers, and he asked me to join. I told him I was crap, but he encouraged me to just do it.
A lot. It took days for me to get over my fear. But I did it, and my first gig was at a divey Mexican restaurant by day/bar by night. To make a stage, they put some wood planks across a couple of the booths. I was in heaven. I haven’t stopped playing since.”
Monkeys at the Flamingo Resort 2n Promo
So how did you become the Guitar Guardian you are Today and What is your background?
“I was born in San Francisco to a very close, but very conventional Italian family. My grandpa, dad, and uncle had suffered through the Depression and World War II—my uncle lost his leg in Monte Casino, Italy when a German Stuka dropped a bomb on his tent—so they were all very pro-America and conservative. They weren’t ready for the 1960s at all.”
“But I was lucky once again because I lived near Golden Gate Park, which was a stone’s throw from Haight-Ashbury. When the Summer of Love hit, I was practically in the middle of it—rainbow-clothed hippies, barefoot girls with flowing hair and no bras, smiles everywhere, and music blasting from clubs and street corners. Magical.”
“I was too young to hit all of the famous—and infamous—venues in the area, but I realized very early the power of the female. The older brother of a school friend of mine got stuck “babysitting” us one evening, and he decided, “Fuck it.
I want to see Lee Michaels at the Fillmore, so I’m going to drag these pipsqueaks along.” No one stopped us. And when the older brother got hip to the fact all these gorgeous hippie chicks were talking to him because they thought my friend and I were cute, we had a weekly “free ride” to the best concerts of the era.
I got to go to the Fillmore, the Avalon Ballroom, The Family Dog, Winterland, The Straight Theatre, the free park shows, and more, and I saw everyone from Jimi Hendrix to the Jefferson Airplane to the Doors and Satana and Moby Grape and the list goes on and on. How could I not fall in love with music after being exposed to that paradise of beautiful noises?”
EBOW THE ’60s! • “I’ll Make You Happy” • The EasybeaTs
How would you describe your personal musical style
“It’s pretty rudimentary, actually. I loved everything from Dean Martin to Deep Purple, but I gravitated to garage bands and punk bands, as well as anything that produced a “scene”—mod, glam, new wave, and so on. It’s all a blend of what I tend to define as non-super-technical creative explorations.
I’ve never really thought about a “personal musical style,” so since you’ve asked me, I guess I’d go for British Invasion melodicism with punk-rock dynamics and a dash of weirdo iconoclasts.”
Who are your primary influences?
“Well, the Beatles, obviously, and practically the entire British Invasion. If I was going to build altars in my garage, you’d see posters of Link Wray, Pete Townshend, Mick Ronson, Reeves Gabrels, Tom Morello, Bill Nelson, Marc Bolan, Jennifer Batten, Les Paul, Sister Rosetta Tharp, Jeff Beck, Paul Kossoff, Jan Akkerman, Robbie Krieger, Davie Allen, Dave Davies, and Andy Summers.”
“Whirlwind (Ode to Michael Hutchence)” by L’Ambretta
So as a Guitar Gaurdian What’s your go-to gear?
“It starts very British and then moves onward. My favourite amps are the Vox AC15, Vox AC30, an Orange Tiny Terror. Collings Guitars made me a gorgeous 290 in “Monkee Red,” and Reeves Gabrels had Reverend send me one of his Signature Dirtbikes in a blue-metallic finish. I also have a prized Eastwood Bill Nelson model, a really good-sounding Gretsch Rancher acoustic in that stunning
“Gretsch Orange,” and an expensive, red Gretsch Electromatic that I turned into a faux “1967 Monkees Model.” I have boxes of fuzz and wah pedals.
I really need to divest myself of stuff I hardly ever use, but, you know, it’s hard for me to give up any fuzz and wah pedals. I have two short-scale basses—a Reverend Dub King in an avocado finish and a Musicvox USB in blue and cream.
Recently I purchased a really kick-ass Gretsch Renown Classic 57 drum kit in black oyster pearl that reminds me of the Ludwig kit Ringo played on The Ed Sullivan Show.
It’s not even the same brand, but it makes me happy to sit behind it and pretend I’m watching John, Paul, and George rocking out in front of the stage. Silly.”
What are your fondest memories of people you have met or worked with?
“Wow. So many memories. I’ve been a music journalist for decades now, and I’ve met or interviewed 99.4 percent of my heroes. I have been so lucky. Interviewing Paul McCartney was a thrill. Duh.
He is everything you’d dream that he would be—super nice, informative, funny, and so easy to talk to. Thanks to guitarist Steve Lukather, I was able to meet Ringo, and there’s another legend who couldn’t be nicer.
There have been some not-so-awesome interactions, of course, but I’m going to keep those to myself. My dad always said, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Hahaha.
“But, beyond the celebrity moments, my fondest memories are probably creating content with all the magazine staffs I’ve worked with—Guitar Player, Guitar World, Guitar Connoisseur, Bass Player, Electronic Musician, Keyboard, Rumble, Modern Drummer, Mix, EQ, The Droning Company.
Naming all the editors and writers of these publications individually might break the Internet, but it is one hell of a magic trick to sit with creative people and build a magazine from absolutely nothing every month. It doesn’t exist at all until everyone sits down, tosses out ideas, devises strategies, and goes out and writes the thing. We make these lovely little magazines out of thin air.
I feel so grateful that I’ve been able to work with so many smart folks. I’ve learned so much from them, and I continue to learn stuff every day”
What do your future plans entail?
“COVID has made consistent gigging very difficult, and while a lot of people think the pandemic is over, the new strains coming down the road absolutely have the power to shut everything down again.
Even for the big acts, it’s almost impossible to get tour insurance at present, and how many bands could write a check for a canceled arena gig due to an outbreak of audience fears?
I’m nervous that the concert business can keep going, that bars can stay open, that clubs and other venues can be profitable in 2022. So there’s that.”
“But one of the lessons of the pandemic is that creative people need to find other ways to share their creations and to bring in revenue.
For me, that meant—and means—taking on virtual recording and mixdown sessions as a player and/or producer. Thank goodness for digital!”
“It meant becoming a co-founder of Neural Tunes (along with guitarist Matt Gibson, Christian Brady of Hell Yeah, serial entrepreneur Bryan Talebi, and
AI expert DeKai ai expert system)—a tech startup that seeks to deploy AI, biometrics, and music to alleviate anxiety and other brain-based challenges. I got big into licensing my back catalog of songs and writing and writing new songs.”
“I founded the content initiatives Guardians of Guitar and NowGen Drums, and I started my own marketing/media company, Content By Molenda.”
“My good friend Ted Mason of Mi5 Recordings/Universal Music Group did me the massive favor of providing me with a digital-music imprint through his record label.
Another good buddy, guitarist Stuart Smith—who played with The Sweet and Heaven and Earth—brought me on board to be an editor of his drone website, The Droning Company. Modern Drummer hired me as Content Director.”
“Thanks to guitarist Steve Walton and bassist Desmonde Mulcahy, the surf trio that I actually play drums in—Surf Monster—signed a deal with Sharawaji Records.
I also play bass in Bad Jacket with guitarist Jon Plutte. and drummer Jon Christ. Someday, I will bring back my beloved The Trouble With Monkeys, which performs hard-rock/punk versions of Monkees hits.
I play guitar and sing in that act along with my wife Cheryl, so it’s a fabulous project, but it had to go on hiatus due to COVID.”
“Finally, I am still out there playing shows, as carefully as I can. I am so grateful that I’ve never been busier, and I’ve met so many awesome creators and new friends during COVID.
Who would have thought this could happen to me back in the early days of the virus and the lockdowns? But I stayed optimistic, I kept playing, and I opened myself up to opportunities. I also took the William Shatner Approach to Life: Say “Yes” to Everything.”
L’Ambretta Collaboration with Drummer Dana Parker
What wisdom or advice do you have for a young person deciding to pick up the instrument today?
“You have to really love guitar to the point of an unhealthy obsession, because the industry is a shambles, and it doesn’t always reward hard work and transcendent playing.
I’m not trying to sound like a post-modern hippie—although I guess that’s a fair assessment of a big chunk of my personality—the love of the Guitar and music is what will save you and sustain you.”
“I’ve never been disappointed in making music and playing guitar. I play every single day—it’s like I have no choice in the matter.
Everything else about music—the actual business of being a musician, band members, bands, consumer culture, revenue shares and acquisition, social-media hoohaa, managers, bookers, record labels, and the like—would have crushed me into dust if I didn’t adore the act of holding a guitar in my hands and trying to write a song with it.”
Michael has taught me many things over the years, planted seeds that took an older me to appreciate. From many aspects of music journalism to what works and what doesn’t in the corporate world.
He has, if you take the time to really think about it, played a major hand in bringing most guitarists an education for a very long time.
His talents are many, his convictions are steadfast and his views are never boring. We in the Guitar community owe him a thank you. This interview is mine, albeit a small tip of the hat to the man.
I have respected him for more years than I’ve been in contact with him. These many years we have been in touch, We may not have always agreed on certain things but I consider him my friend as friendships endure different things.
Thank you Mike for this interview and to the reader, I’ve always liked him but he scores extra points as He and I both love Vox amps and Link Wray. That is all I need to know to Dig him that much more!
• Vice President, Guitar, Mi5 Recordings/Universal Music Group
• COO, Neural-Tunes (“Music as Medicine to Alleviate PTSD”)
• Longest Serving Editor in Chief of Guitar Player (1997-2018)
Manic Street Preachers Guitar TIMES Two
Sometimes the loudest sound is the one not present. For a Band to carry on and leave a mix of tribute and hope on the stage for the member now is a beautiful and mysterious effort.
Richey Edwards loved a good mystery and the writer and rhythm guitarist for the Preachers would ultimately become one himself.
The Preachers still feel they are a two guitar band, one is just not present.James Dean Bradford Vocalist and Lead guitarist and the rest of the band have carried on with a new album release “The Ultra Vivid Lament”.
In 2021 To this day the band acknowledges their fourth member by paying his family 25% of all earnings and have for the last 25 years.
Onstage as well on stage right is an open microphone where Richey would be.. Striking the heartstrings of memory and possibly just waiting for the day he might walk back into the band.
This is a second extension of Love for Richey as when he first was brought into the group he couldn’t play the guitar but they allowed him to pretend he could as the guitar was not turned on. Fake it til you make it a success.
He did in time become a solid rhythm man. The current status is “Death in Absentia” for the unknown whereabouts of Edwards.
Manic Street Preachers Suicide Alley
The band identified and promoted an image and theology borrowed from Glam, Punk, and Edwards was the instigator for the gender bending no rules approach.
As a well self educated spokesman for the group he was fearless in the public eye. Privately he dealt with depression and severe mood swings and was soon to be known in the world view as one who suffered from self harm and did have a degree of nihilistic attitude.
He may have been the focal point of the group but In my recent study I must say that Bradford was an equal genius .
Bradford was and is able to include incredible guitar work in the ever changing contexts of Punk , Pop, and straight up Rock. A Brilliant Lead player and singer. Truly underrated .
Getting the Manic street preachers sounds on guitar
February 1992 saw the bands debut record “Generation Terrorists” followed by “Gold against the Soul” in 1993 and Thirdly “The Holy Bible” in 1994.
The band worked as hard then as the later decades leading to present day efforts. There was one big issue, In February of 1995 as they were leaving to tour the United States well, Richey just disappeared .
He was reportedly seen by Cab drivers , fans, and even purchasing a new passport sporting a shaved head after leaving his legal passport behind. His vehicle was found abandoned near a bridge where many before had taken a dive to end their lives. From all accounts he had been making gestures of gifts to friends and was in hindsight behaving calmly in a manner that precedes a planned death. However he was not the suicidal type and referred to the act as the “S Word” as he did not wish to speak the very word fully.
He was tormented by the Death of Kurt Cobain and was not able to comprehend the reasoning behind it . Did he go the way of Syd Barrett, choosing to become someone else in dissolution with the Music Industry? Was he Pulling the Jim Morrison card or possibly just faking his death? There are no clear answers
From Despair To Where – The Life and Disappearance of Richey Edwards
Richey’s proclamations in the third album Lyrically deal with subjects including prostitution, American consumerism, British imperialism, freedom of speech, the Holocaust, self-starvation, serial killers, the death penalty, political revolution, childhood, fascism and suicide.
He was truly preaching his views and had insisted everything contained in that album be perfect. His final Testimony? Quite possibly. The style of music had expanded into hard rock, British punk, post-punk, new wave, industrial, art rock and gothic rock.
Manic Street Preachers – Faster (Glastonbury 1994)
The Manic Street Preachers made a massive impact with him and without him and one should not allow the mystery to overtake the music of his time and all the work the band did ongoing. I hear elements that may have well influenced so many bands to come such as Foo Fighters and others.
The Manics are a Mighty band , not caged to any style but their own. Always pressing forward while still looking over at the empty spot where that Microphone awaits the missing man who helped catapult them to the world. Perhaps waiting on the band to again be Guitar times Two.
The creepy story behind the disappearance of Ritchie Edwards
Black Sabbath Wizard Beyond The B-Side of Paranoid
Black Sabbath Wizard or the wizard a B-Side of Paranoid, Normally “The B-Side of Paranoid by Black Sabbath can consist of three tracks: ‘Rat Salad,’ ‘Fairies Wear Boots,’ and ‘Evil Woman.’ ‘Rat Salad’ is an instrumental piece that showcases the band’s musical prowess, particularly the drumming skills of Bill Ward. ‘Fairies Wear Boots’ is a heavy and riff-driven song with dark and cryptic lyrics. Finally, ‘Evil Woman’ is a cover of a song originally performed by the band Crow, and Black Sabbath’s version adds their signature heavy sound. Overall, the B-Side of Paranoid offers a diverse range of songs that further solidify Black Sabbath’s status as pioneers of heavy metal.
The Beat Club program was my induction as a fan. “Paranoid” from the second album was the video. Thus the album Paranoid was quickly purchased. I wore out many copies of that but the true bombast and Doom lay in the self-titled first release. No one before or since has created anything as alarming to new ears as the song “Black Sabbath” itself. Boris Karloff’s film inspiration was evident in the album art and the songs within.
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)
Bassist Geezer Butler has always been open about his interest in the occult, yet he’s been clear it was an interest and the band’s songs are much maligned as they address stark realities against the Demonic and are anti-war and anti destruction. The band’s interest lies more in the sonic destruction of the foundation of the venues they performed in.
Guitarist Tony Iommi detuned his Gibson SG to make the strings easier to bend due to the loss of his fingertips and the secondary consequence of that is the wider and fuller sound. He is not only the Riff master but the innovator of sheer power.
Drummer Bill Ward has been the most unique contributor as his unorthodox drumming was based on Jazz and the result being those songs are enveloped in a certain “swing”.No other drummer plays like him in that setting.
Then we have Ozzy. Madman? Absolutely. Yet he had an unheard-of voice and sense of melody. He is also one of the best frontmen any band ever had.
Black Sabbath – Wizard (Demo) [Vinyl]
Biography: Black Sabbath (2010), documentary with Finnish subtitles.
The First three albums thirdly “Masters of Reality” were the encyclopedia for great heavy songs. “Iron Man” War Pigs” ‘Children of the Grave”. The endurance of the first few years’ outputs resounds now because someone somewhere is playing those albums on the stereo or with a guitar in their bedroom, now.
Volume 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, all had some incredible moments but by 1976 to 79 Technical Ecstasy and Never say die had seen the band running full steam for almost a decade and no breaks. The Weed and drink were eclipsed by harder drugs and communication had broken down between the Band and Ozzy.
THE Black Sabbath WIZARD DEPARTS
Ozzy was unceremoniously let go and Sabbath returned with one Ronnie James Dio for the second chapter of their life. The Albums ‘Heaven and Hell” and “Mob Rules” were a departure in many ways but Still Rocked relentlessly. New Blood, however short-lived.
Black Sabbath – Neon Knights Live In N.Y. 1980
“Live Evil” marked the tenure of Dio. It was brief but Lasting.
Black Sabbath BORN AGAIN
The next Vocalist for Sabbath Ian Gillan entered the band and the work produced was the very Underrated “Born Again”. It was not the lack of quality of the collaboration, it was more just simply a poor mixing of the sounds. Had it been recorded in a different studio or mixed by a different person the songs would have made a better impact. Sadly this happens to many bands. Proper careful attention to the details will make or break any project.
Ian departed and a string of vocalists came and left and some came back again. Glen Hughes, Dio, Tony Martin, and others. Success and Failures abounded from 1984 and the band danced with dalliances with Ozzy for events Like Live Aid and other reunions.
In 2010 Black Sabbath and Ozzy rejoined with all the Original members to make the album 13 and shows followed. Contractually there became a problem as Ward was feeling not respected and so he left and was replaced by drummer Tommy Clufetos.
NiB Black Sabbath
The End Tour
TONY IOMMI REFLECTS ON THE END OF THE END FOR BLACK SABBATH
I had tickets to see this In Indianapolis but for some reason, I had Hesitations and Gave the tickets to a friend. That Friend is the vocalist for one of the best Ozzy/Sabbath Tribute bands I’ve ever heard. “Ultimate Ozzy”. I thought proper use, proper gift.
You only get one Black Sabbath and they are to remain Timeless. No matter your great loves or hates of the multitude of time periods, everyone contributed something special.
Groundbreakers, Road Dogs, Legends. We Thank Them for the music. It will always spark Magic and smiles in Memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ipSJrQP5E8
Check out these fellows, Keep up them if you are an Ozzy and Sabbath fan. They never disappoint. Rock on!
The Kentucky Headhunters Remembering Your Roots
For My Friends who know this story about the Kentucky Headhunters and me, well you know. This is a study for those who don’t. This is a collection of Kentucky headhunters songs and my own personal story about playing guitar with the Kentucky Headhunters.
I’ve had many highlights in my career and have had many interesting opportunities as an Opening act for The Late Jani Lane Of Warrant, Country Legend Martina McBride, Guitar Legend Neil Zaza, and a few others. As you climb the Ladder of a musician you are often going to find that you are just there to do your 45 minutes and many times the main act doesn’t care who you are.
The money is Great, the interactions are awkward at times. Talking Jani Lane down from a flip-out was a test of my willpower as a representative of the Hometown. Many folks have to remember they are not doing the enormodome and the Stadium and nothing is ever perfect.
I’m not speaking ill of the dead here. I’m saying we are all human and prone to bad days. The Audience has no idea what happens before the Venue Doors open. They see the Headliner smiling and being professional. The opening act sometimes knows more about the reality of dealing with a Rock Star in a bad mood. Things don’t always go well. Then you get a show that does and it’s a gift.
Quick Photo while Getting the guitar from the bus
The Kentucky Headhunters – Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine (Official Video)
Walk Softly Music Video
The Kentucky Headhunters were a gift. I’ve been a fan since they broke through to worldwide fame in the late 1980s and played many of their Hit’s in cover bands and Showbands all across the midwest the first half of my career. I never ever saw it coming that I would be called to actually work a show with the band and get paid to present my own songs to their audience. I was already truly honored to just have that laid on the table.
I assumed it would be like most of those shows I had done prior and expected nothing more. I was in for a whole different experience.
I arrived at the Oktoberfest early in the day knowing my setup would be simple, an amp, a couple of guitars, and a vocal mic. I saw the Tour bus parked and thought well the band is at the Hotel and I’m not here to bother anyone so I made contact with the event organizer and he said “I’ve got someone I want you to meet.” and brought me to the soundboard. He told the Soundman I was Jimmy Fleming and then said “This is Steve Wilson, He worked for Stevie Ray Vaughan and I’m sure you two have plenty to talk about.” Mind Blown.
Steve was one of the nicest people on Earth and we talked for 30 mins or so about shows I had been to and some specific events like Stevie getting that scooter he loved so much, and that he had run over a friend of mine on the thing. The guy didn’t care as SRV helped him to his feet and asked if he was ok and he said “I don’t care if I am or not, you are Stevie Ray Vaughan!”
Steve asked if I wanted to soundcheck and I looked up at the stage and said “ I see Greg Martin’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul on the stage and I’ll gladly sound check AFTER you put that thing in a case because I’m not going near it!” Steve Laughed and agreed. I went up a few minutes later and out of nowhere, I have Richard Young and Brother Fred Young onstage too. I apologized and began to move my Guitar cases out of Richards‘ way. He then said something that spoke volumes about their Humble nature. “This is as much your stage as it is ours.”
Greg Martin and Bassist and Lead vocalist Doug Phelps were actually at the Hotel so I got drafted to not only get my sound but to soundcheck with them. That’s a surreal experience to play and do the vocal check and be a Headhunter by proxy. I saw Richard was being approached by a young man and young Lady so I thought ok this is a private matter so I’m going to step off. Richard says “Hey man come back here, check this out.
I want your opinion.” What was happening was he was being delivered a Stratocaster style guitar he had ordered a few years prior, made from wood cut from his family farm decades earlier. This was no little project, he had cut the wood himself and let it sit for a very long time so it was a very sentimental and deeply heartfelt piece of his life now being seen for the first time by just the two of us and the Luthier. Then He hands me the thing to play and seriously wanted my thoughts. I was speechless. Yet I managed a response of the beauty of the work and the sound.
Checking the sound
Soundcheck was done and we walked back behind the stage and talked about Family and our roots in Kentucky and Virginia and our mutual Love of Waylon Jennings and The Rolling Stones. He then said, “well I’m gonna hit the bus and have a power nap, I’ll be listening when you hit it and have a good show..see you after this Horse Race is over.”
The Kentucky Headhunters perform “Oh, Lonesome Me” Live at the Shed
I had very little time to get my head around what just happened in the last couple of hours and I still haven’t even thought of playing, which was the only reason I was there, to begin with. I had noticed a few folks coming in 30 mins prior, and took another look and I am now seeing a sea of people. I asked my friend how many this was roughly and his response was “Oh somewhere around 2 thousand, AND… you are onstage in 10 minutes.
You are as the Great Ronnie Hawkins would say “In the BIG TIME JIM”. Grammy award winners, people you watched on television and this may be your stage too, but it’s their audience. You have a carnival going on, crowd noise, announcements, games, and sonic chaos. Then You realize “I can’t think of the first words to the first song and I wrote the thing!!” The only thing I could do was lock myself in the Porta-John and stick my fingers in my ears and think hard. You are opening with “Bottled Devil Blues”, what is the first LINE?
BOOM “ ‘I have a Darkness stalking doing that high step walking “ OK. The door opens annnnnnd “You are on”.
That set flies by, 45 seems like 10 minutes. Yet you made it through.
It’s sadly a rare thing to be treated that well and respected as an equal by the Legends, but thank Goodness there are bands like the Kentucky Headhunters who treat you the way they do. If you find yourself discouraged in the business by dealing with a run of ego trips as a support act, remember it’s part of the program that if you endure, you’ll get a Blessing as I did. If you are an established act the single best thing you can do for yourself and your Legacy is remembered when you were starting out, Treat your support with respect and Remember your Roots. It means everything.
![▷▶Nirvana - Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame [2014]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7U1zBOiRIes/hqdefault.jpg)
![Black Sabbath - The Wizard (Demo) [Vinyl]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/04WYcTOWnjU/hqdefault.jpg)
