It's Been A While, So....

It has been at least a month since I have posted anything, so let's see who has been up to what...

Phil Salazar the lead singer for our Sleaze Rocker friends Eden Burning has been writing a book on dealing with the music business from the perspective of a working band. It reviews the success and tribulations Eden Burning has had in the down and dirty world of playing for a living: how they got from playing hometown bars; to rocking out stadiums; and becoming a success at large music festivals.

The book should be out in November, and should be an amazing source of experience for any band that wants to break out of their local area.

Rest assured this does not mean Eden Burning is done Rocking the World! It just means they want you and your band to join them as they do it.

Hopefully this new release will inspire Phil and the boys on to more and more music releases. Keep an eye open for the book "Rock n Roll Stories from an unsigned band..." and get Rock n Roll educated people!

Eden Burning

If you want some Lego with your Metal - Yes I said Lego! You have to see this video!

Chris Wrenn belts out a great hardcore anthem to those little toy building blocks we played with as a kid (and in some cases still do.) It is a perfectly executed video with rabid fans and even a mosh pit. If bands are running short on ideas for videos to get the public's attention, they may want to check this video out and take some notes. What could be more internet infectious than Lego and Metal? Ok there is kittens and Metal, still this was a great idea!

Oh and Thank's Metal Insider for putting this out so that it caught my attention. So after you are done watching the video go and subscribe to Metal Insider - Especially if you would like to see Iron Maiden in Lego!

Guitar Blog of Elmo Karjalainen

The Finnish Guitar virtuoso Elmo Karjalainen has begun a blog about his escapades that has lead to the recording of his very successful solo cd "Unintelligent Designs." In it he gives nods to the excellent musicians that he has worked with over the years and the inspiration that lead him to write such metal offerings such as "The Feigning of Altruism."

If you are just learning to play the six string axe or are a seasoned professional it would not be a waste of your time to check out Elmo Karjalainen's videos or blog.

Live Music!

Would you like to see one of Canada's best and most entertaining Rock and Roll icon of all time? Are you more interested if I told you that tickets to see him are only ten bucks? Yes for $10 you can see Kim Mitchell live in Kingston!

Will Black has finally cemented his dates for the Will Black Live Canadian Tour 2014 so here they are... I'll be going to the Kingston one! how about you?

HAMILTON NOV. 19
TORONTO NOV. 21
ETOBICOKE NOV. 23
KINGSTON NOV. 26
MONTREAL NOV. 28
OTTAWA NOV. 30

Other than the notice of the upcoming concerts Will is still working hard at his weekly dispatches and live video performances. He still has to be one of the most fan friendly artists I know.

KRAPTOR THRASHING TOUR

Those crazy Venezuelans, Thrash Kings - KRAPTOR, are spreading the Thrash  epidemic all through South America. Before they mosh the whole continent into the ocean if you are down south go see them and get your Thrash on!

Still no news on any North American or European dates but we have our fingers crossed.

If you want to see the pics of how much fun they are having on their excursions go to their site and you too can vicariously live the Thrash Star lifestyle.

Well that is it for now. Keep on Rockin' all you bands that make this deplorable world worth living in.

Out of Desperation and Ashes - Detroit Still Rocks!

Detroit has garnered the anointed name of Rock City, most notably from the hit song by KISS. As of late the city has gained the notoriety of being bankrupt. 

The pictures of the dilapidated buildings that used to house the blue collar factories and motor-works that made Detroit one of the best working class cities in the world makes one wonder is there anything left of worth in the Motor City. Still, Detroit has never been known as a soft town and it's citizens have survived incredibly bad times in the past, but what about now? Is the City of Detroit still the Rock City it used to be or has the calamity that has befell its finances hurt the Rock and Roll pedigree that it had?

There have been rumors that the city is remaking itself into an artistic mecca for the States. Graffiti artists have been reclaiming the pale walls of despair and spreading a colorful message of hope and revitalization. 

This all leaves one to wonder... What is the state of Rock and Roll in Detroit today? There have been great Rock Icons that have called Detroit home and for good reason, but are there still some up and coming Rockers ready to carry the torch or has the talent dried up for Detroit? Well, let's take a look and see...

If you are looking for some evidence that Detroit Motor City still Rocks, then you need go no further than 5th Way. With growling guitars and lions roar vocals these Detroit sons have got the sound to play along side the new greats such as Five Finger Death Punch. With songs like "Stomping Ground" these guys prove they can Rock with the best of them!

They even have an inventive meaning to the name of their band: 

FIFTH - The interval or three tones and a semitone, embracing five diatonic degrees of the scale; the DOMINANT of any key. 

WAY - Regular course; habitual method of life of action; plan of conduct; mode of dealing. 

FIFTH WAY - The Fifth Way of conduct; a way of life expressed through music. THE DOMINANT FORM OF ROCK!!!

These guys are definitely worth checking out. 

Reverbnation                                              Facebook                                                  On the Web

If you are looking for some straight forward good old storytelling Rock and Roll then you have to listen to Ty Stone. This guy has a huge following and the chops to pull off a great show, just check out his video for "Anywhere but Here."

Kidd Rock is even advertised Ty's  CD, "American Style," on his website. Ty has become a real voice for a recovering Detroit; joining other artists to collaborate on projects promoting the resilience of  the cities citizens, and raising funds for its charity projects.

He seems very dedicated to spreading the word both musically and in other ways that Detroit may be down but you can never cut the Motor City out.

Now I realize that these are only two examples, but if the rest of the artists in Detroit are even half as determined as these two then we can safely say that Rock City is not going to give up its title easily.

Hell, I have not even mentioned how well the bad boy Kid Rock is still Rockin' the world, and the Motor City Madman Ted Nugent is also still going strong. As long as there are musicians willing to fight to keep the city Rocking Detroit Will Still Rock!

Ty on the web                                               Facebook                                                           Youtube

Gene Simmons, Arrogance, Rock & Roll, and depression.

As of late the comments that Gene Simmons, aka the Demon, have made on suicide and depression have been broadcast around the globe. Mix those words with one of the most loved comedians known in modern day history hanging themselves and you have one huge PR nightmare for "The Hottest Band in the World." Hell even the straight man of Mötley Crüe, Nikki Sixx, has chimed in. Now radio stations are banning KISS songs and I imagine it is causing problems with the tour.

Many people seem to be rightfully pissed off by the remarks and are writing it off as Gene being an arrogant asshole. Have never met the Demon himself I cannot presume that that is the case but his words seem to paint an interesting portrait. 

I must say at this point that I have been a huge KISS fan for a long time, yet in the shadow of the comments Gene said about suicide ("have some dignity and jump!”) I have put away my kiss collectibles, which used to have a prominent place on my living room shelves. At this point I am not sure if I am overreacting  or justifiably upset.

Arrogance seems to be inherent in the world of Rock and Roll, from the tirades and bad attitude of Axel Rose who thinks he is Guns and Roses, to Gene's characterization of the Demon. I have been quite surprised by the attitude of several of the Rock stars, even the ones I have respected in the past.

I have met musicians such as Bruce Kulick who seemed genuinely bored to meet his fans, to  Eric Singer who was amazingly personable and excited to meet his fans. Many of the personas of Rock Idols on stage are out right arrogant, you don't have to look too far to see that in pretty almost all popular styles of music. The Lead singer from the Headstones, Hugh Dillon, once refused to talk to Ed The Sock on TV because Ed was a sock puppet. Now whether you call that arrogance or just plain hilarious it paints a good picture of someone with a strongly defined view of self importance. Even members of the Canadian Iconic group The Tea Party  were observed on Much Music answering fan questions as if they were stupid questions.    

Hell even members of the one band that I have called my favorite Rock and Roll band for many years has shown some evidence of the Diva disease that is arrogance. Doug Pinnick, from the horribly under appreciated band King's X was quite rude to me when I met him. 

So where do we stand on the stupid, self important, or damaging quotes of people who live in a world that rewards unreal perception of self-idolization? Is the backlash against Gene and KISS warranted? The hell if I know but I can tell you that my KISS memorabilia will not be thrown out, still they will not see the light of day until I can come to terms with the anger I feel about the words said.

As far as Depression and Rock and Roll... Depression has been the spark that has ignited many excellent songs and have made many Rock and Roll Icons very rich. It almost seems like the beast that the creative must strike a deal with in order to become productive. Some even had to kill themselves to become icons; take Kurt Cobain for one. Still, it would make more sense to encourage the depressed artists that struggle in this world to have some hope to continue to create instead of telling them to "have some dignity and jump!”

For those of us who are struggling with depression and feel that it would be better to end it all instead of enduring another day of pain and disappointment, I really don't know what to say. I am too upset that I can't seem to have some dignity and jump.

                                                                                                                    Kevin Sweeney 

New Music Video from Tools of My Therapy

Here is the second music video from the Industrial Metal group Tools of My Therapy.

Check it out and tell us what you think.