STRANGE FACES
You’re at a convenience store. The clerk asks you question. You’re too high to talk. You swipe your card and pay. You read the credit card machine and it says “Thank you.” You say “Thank you.” The clerk nods his head.
PHAT KISS
YOU WANTED THE HEAVIEST..YOU GOT THE HEAVIEST
MAC SABBATH
Based out of Los Angeles, CA but born from the bowels of Outer Space,
Mac Sabbath is here, and it is time for a dinner rock revolution.
Vocals / Ronald Osbourne
Guitar / Slayer MacCheeze
Bass / Grimalice
Drums / the Catburglar
RICHARDSON RICHARDSON
Punk for metalheads and metal for posers.
TEXAS TOAST CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Crossover thrash band from the underground of Chicago, Ten years strong this 5 piece combines their love of pop culture, thrash metal and putting people through tables
TELEGRAPH CANYON
Members: Christopher Johnson Bobby Zanzucchi Austin Green Chuck Brown Tamara Cauble Brown Erik Wolfe Steffin Ratliff
BLOOD AXIS
The concept for the musical project Blood Axis was initially created in the early 1990s by the musician, artist, and writer Michael Moynihan. He is joined in Blood Axis by ongoing artistic collaborators Robert Ferbrache a renowned musician and recording engineer, and Annabel Lee, an accomplished musician and artist. Other artists have also contributed to the project over the course of its existence.
The first Blood Axis album, The Gospel of Inhumanity (1996), was recorded by Moynihan and Ferbrache in 1995 and its somber, elegant tones and conceptual richness attracted considerable attention in underground art and music scenes in Europe and the United States. While this album continues to influence numerous bands who have imitated its sound and style, Blood Axis has long since evolved in new directions. Annabel Lee began working with the group in 1996. In 1997 Blood Axis performed at a prestigious event marking the 10th anniversary celebration of the Swedish industrial label Cold Meat Industry. The resulting recording became the basis for the 1998 album Blót: Sacrifice in Sweden, which at the time was the first release by a non-Scandinavian band on the CMI label. Blood Axis has given occasional live performances over the years. These have included sporadic events in the USA in 1992 and 1998, a European tour in 1998, special concerts in Portugal in 2001 and 2008, and a small tour of Germany and Italy in 2005.
In 2010 the second full-length Blood Axis studio recording, Born Again, was released to overall acclaim. While this new album retains certain echoes of the earlier sounds of Blood Axis, it defies easy categorization and represents a bold development in many respects.
In the first decade of its existence Blood Axis contributed various songs to special compilation releases; these songs will be collected together on the CD anthology Ultimacy in 2012.
FIRE + ICE
Ian Read is an English neofolk and traditional folk musician, and occultist active within Chaos magic and Germanic mysticism circles
THE UNKNOWN NEW
The Unknown New is brand new jazz-ish musical offerings from Paul Mutzabaugh ~ Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, arranger.
MIKE MELINOE
Mindfully mysterious, Detroit’s conscious riddler Mike Melinoe is a demigod. Combining psychedelic sounds and a low-fi internet-bred aesthetic with old-school lyricism, The Organic Geniuses founder deliberately swerves his way through drugged-out ballads with crisp clarity. Melinoe’s music exists in a plane that marries classic boom-bap to the intricate chaos that can only be summoned by a computer. Melinoe snarls with an elevated consciousness about his life, but eschews narrative for a collage of images. With impressive vocal elasticity, the artist treats beats as blank canvases for vocal exploration rather than a series of lines waiting to be colored within.
TRE CAPITAL
D.LX THAT’S THE FLEET
TRE CAPITAL FOREVER
BEARFISH PADDLERS
While floatin’ up Spit Creek without paddles, a few boys from North Carolina, Michigan, and Chicago happened upon one another during a cold Midwestern winter. All bound by the common thread of a love for bluegrass music and the desire to play it, they quickly realized their compatibility. Vocal harmonies and instrumental synchronicity came quickly and naturally, and quite suddenly their paddles were found. Spit Creek Paddlers were then formed, destined to put on barn burners and throwdowns with their upbeat, high energy renditions of traditional bluegrass and rock ‘n roll tunes as well as a large catalog of original music, drawing stylistically from all over the map. You can never know what to expect from one of their performances, but the Paddlers will guarantee this: high caliber, high energy acoustic music and one hell of a good time.
Spit Creek Paddlers are:
Dave Henderson – Mandolin, vocals
Sam Huff – Acoustic Guitar, Piano, vocals
Jake Gold – Guitars, vocals
Benji Jacobs – Upright bass, vocals
Ray Knipe – Drums, washboard, vocals
THE RUINS OF BEVERAST
The Ruins of Beverast is a black metal solo project by ex-Nagelfar member Alexander von Meilenwald.
In 2004, the debut album was released. As of 2013, four studio albums and one compilation have been released.
ABSU
ABSU is a metal band from Plano, Texas in the United States. Their demos and first album leaned towards death metal, but evolved more towards a mix of black metal and thrash metal by their second album and beyond. They also incorporate various elements of celtic, folk, jazz fusion, progressive rock and psychedelia into their overall sound but without compromising their trademark speed and ferocity. Lyrical themes vary from myths and legends, magic, weaponry, sorcery, alchemy, astrology, cosmology and beyond.
URFAUST
Urfaust is an occult audial vessel of delirious madness that was invoked in 1999. Ranging from Cruel Black Metal Ambient to Bombastic Drone Rituals, to minimalistic low-fi Black Magick: Urfaust does it all.. Over the years Urfaust have recorded different releases on vinyl, tape, cd and cloth…
Urfaust performed Rites of Intoxication in the USA, The Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium, England, Ireland, Serbia, Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Iceland and Finland
Urfaust is signed to Ván Records (Germany)
AT WAR
At War was formed in 1983 by guitarist Shawn Helsel, bassist and vocalist Paul Arnold. and drummer Dave Stone. Originally trying out vocalists they quickly decided that the brutal form of metal they had envisioned could only be brought forth by Arnold’s growling vocals.
June of 1985 saw the release of At War’s first demo entitled “Eat Lead”. The two song demo consisted of the songs “Rapechase” and what has turned out to be At War’s anthem, “Eat Lead,” and immediately received excellent reviews from fanzines and magazines; it was high on rotation on many college radio stations in the US and had an even better reception overseas. It was because of this demo that At War had been dubbed by Spin Magazine as “America’s answer to Motorhead.” This demo garnered At War much attention and an appearance on the now legendary compilation “Speed Metal Hell” issued by the relatively new label from California, New Renaissance Records for the song “Eat Lead.” This compilation is the Holy Grail among metal collectors all over the world. This led to their first full length release ” Ordered to Kill” in 1986. So well received was this album and subsequent tour that new Renaissance decided to put the second song from their “Eat Lead” demo, “Rapechase,” on their next compilation, “Speed Metal Hell II,” now also a collector’s item. After more touring and on a roll, At War immediately booked studio time with the great Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound to produce their awesome 1987 release “Retaliatory Strike.” With Rob “Wacko” Hunter co-engineering this masterpiece, At War’s place in the world of metal was solidified. At War toured relentlessly through the eighties and early nineties when negotiations began to break down with New Renaissance and the music scene was in the midst of a huge change. Around 1994 At War recorded material for their follow up to “Retaliatory Strike,” but were never really happy with the recordings, so it was never released. At War played its last show around this time.
Dave Paul and Shawn remained close friends and At War never officially called it quits. There were several attempts to revive the band during the late nineties and early 2000’s, but with families, and businesses to run, it was just not the right time.
Fast forward to 2006. The amount of fan pressure had been and was so intense along with the resurgence of the thrash metal movement, At War felt the time was right to get moving again and take care of unfinished business. Determined to put the brute force of At War back in the faces of the legions of dedicated fans, they are back at it with the original lineup. In 2008 At War is started working on their latest release “INFIDEL” and went back to their roots on the new material, and included a few songs that were written during the “Retaliatory Strike” sessions. At War also fulfilled a career dream by finally getting over to Europe in 2008 when they played the “Thrash Assault II Festival in Wuerzburg Germany in February to a huge crowd of Germanys’ most avid metal fans. The crowd response was so intense, they were invited back to Hamburg and played at the “Headbangers Open Air” Festival in July. The weekend prior to heading back to Germany, At War made their first appearance in Mexico City Mexico to play at the infamous “Circo Volador”. This marks a milestone for At War as they have always had a devoted following in Central and South America, and the fans finally got a chance to see At War. Talks are in the works to bring At War to Brazil, Columbia, and many other South American countries along with Japan and Europe.
In September of 2008 At war signed a new deal with Heavy Artillery Records for the release of their new CD “Infidel”. Released on August 18th 2009 to rave reviews At War’s has concreted their return and relevance in the underground metal scene. Infidel was recorded in January of 2009 at Pyramid Sound with famed Metal producer Alex Perialas (Testament, Overkill, Nuclear assault etc.) This pairing has proven to be a perfect partnership, with Heavy Artillery’s network, intense knowledge of the metal scene and their enthusiasm with At War.
At War is back with a vengeance, all due to their rabid fan base. Keep your eyes and ears out for At War!!
RAZOR
1984 saw the birth of Canada’s finest extreme metal outfits, a band whose ideals would not permit compromise, whose conviction would lead to eight releases, and an equal number of years fighting an uphill battle. No mere bandwagoneers, this quartet were out to permanently fuse metal with insane aggression and violence, pummeling listeners with aural and mental fists. This they have undoubtedly achieved, and continue to foster to this day.
HERETIC
The year ’14 brings new blood to Heretic’s ranks. With the addition of second bassplayer Jimmy Blitzer and drummer Tom Auf Der Axe these Dutch black ‘n’ roll masters have what it takes to prolong their mission: writing and playing basic and evil songs that are the perfect soundtrack to any headbanger’s wet dream.
If you like Venom, Motörhead, Turbonegro and/or the Misfits, you’ll probably bang your head to the energetic unholy chops these 4 filthy guys rape your ears with. Love it or hate it, Heretic is here to stay and will be in a town near you anytime soon.
You wanted the sleaziest, you GOT the sleaziest.m
Heretic is and will be from now on:
Thomas Goat – vocals/guitars
Tony Hellfire – leadbass
Jimmy Blitzer – thunderbass
Tom Auf Der Axe – drums
TIGER JUNKIES
According to an interview with Joel Grind (Toxic Holocaust), Tiger Junkies began as a tradition between himself and Yasuyuki Suzuki (Abigail) in which the two would get together and record something any time Joel was in Japan, usually with a mix of metal and hardcore punk styled songs.
SHITFUCKER
Demonbitch – Bass, Vocals (2005-present)
Shagrat – Guitars (2006-present)
“Motor City” Chaz – Drums (2008-present)
ABIGAIL
ABIGAIL
Yasuyuki(Bass, Vocals)
Youhei(Drums)
Jero(Guitars)
The band has dubbed themselves as “The Most Evil Band in Japan”, and Yasuyuki Suzuki calling their musical style “Street Metal”.
Abigail played their first gig in August 1992 together with Sigh.
BULLDOZER
In 1984 BULLDOZER released their debut 7” single Fallen Angel/Another Beer. This record shares the dubious honour with Hellhammer’s debut EP as being rated “The worst record of all times” by respected UK magazine Kerrang.
A band called BULLDOZER was formed in 1980 by Darrio Carria and Andy Panigada. Panigada left the band shortly thereafter. He met AC Wild in 1983. Together with drummer Rob K Cabrini and second bassist Fabrizio Grossi, who would go on to play bass with Steve Vai, they played covers of MOTORHEAD songs. Panigada was contacted again by Carria who wanted to reform Bulldozer and record a single in Milanese dialect. Instead Panigada not only suggested two different tracks but also a new singer, AC Wild. The two infamous songs Fallen Angel and Another Beer were recorded in one take and released as BULLDOZER’s vinyl debut.
Notwithstanding the dubious honour awarded by Kerrang, Roadrunner Records signed the band in 1984. The contract contained a special clause noting the fact that AC Wild, as a conscientious objector during the Spadolini government in Italy, did not have a passport and could not travel outside of Italy to perform, for an unknown period of time.
Before the Roadrunner contract was signed, bassist Carria and drummer Galli, still minors, were caught with tattoos by their parents and both left the band. The new bassist, Don Andras, was nearly 30 years old and had a criminal record, but he was the only drummer around who could thrash a kit. AC Wild, originally a bassist, replaced Carria on bass but invited him to record bass on the album version of Fallen Angel.
“Too punk” according to King Diamond in 1985
In 1985 BULLDOZER released their first album on Roadrunner Records in Europe, the USA and Japan. The band wanted King Diamond to produce the record, he claimed the material was “too punk” for his taste. Roadrunner appointed Algy Ward from TANK as producer. In a twist of fate TANK had themselves been produced by “Fast” Eddie Clarke of MOTORHEAD whose songs BULLDOZER covered at the beginning. The British press labeled the band “Venom clones”. In fact Cronos even jokingly asked for royalties!
Roadrunner encouraged this erroneous labelling and even re-signed the band for a second album, chosing a rejected photo for the cover. From there on the relationships with Roadrunner and the foreign press broke down completely.
The band, and particularly AC Wild, never accepted the labelling used by the British press. Starting with The Exorcism all the songs were about true experiences, real people or events. Nothing was invented.
The Final Separation was a darker and more serious album. But it had a weak sound and sales dropped. Roadrunner did not take up the option for a third record.
Don Andras left the band, replaced once again by Rob K Cabrini. AC Wild took a leave of absence to perform 20 months of community service.
IX given the first ever Zero rating by magazines
The band decided to self-produce a four-track EP (later side A of IX). They signed to Italian disco label Discomagic. The cover of IX was AC Wild’s concept. It contained certain hidden messages and intuitions. The record was strongly criticised in northern Europe and even received the first ever Zero rating by UK magazine Kerrang and German magazine Metal Hammer! The lyrics were targeted as being too extreme and direct. Obviously they completely missed the irony of Mysoginists, Ilona The Very Best, The Derby etc. Only BULLDOZER’s hardcore fans in Italy, Poland and Japan liked the album.
In 1987 just before performing in Livorno, the band learned of the death of Dario Carria. From that moment on their playing became more urgent and determined.
They dedicated the next album to him. This time the album is received with respect by certain leading European publications like Aardshock or Metal Forces. The album features keyboards, symphonic sounds, drum sampling – innovative elements adopted by many bands from the nineties until today.
After seeing a festival in Poland, AC Wild is inspired to have the band perform and record a live concert. Alive In Poland was recorded in one take, with no studio retouching, in front of 5500 people in the city of Katowice. BULLDOZER’s last concert was held in Milano, Italy in 1990. The band knew it was over. In an interview AC Wild said “we hope to take steps forward in the future, otherwise we can forget the whole thing. If it means recycling the band’s name with nothing new, it’s useless to carry on …”.
BULLDOZER goes experimental and it’s labeled a fiasco
In 1992 AC Wild and Panigata decide to record an experimental EP Trilogy: Dance Got Sick with rapper Dr. D.O.P.E. Three tracks in three distinctive styles are recorded. Dance Got Sick is called a fiasco by many hardcore BULLDOZER fans. Others would call it winning at the lottery. One track is covered by the Japanese band Abigail and another is discovered by a famous British DJ in Japan who turns it into a hit. It is re-released on many compilations that sell over one million copies, a new style of music is born. Even PRODIGY are inspired by it.
Whereas IX and Neurodeliri were made with the heart, Dance Got Sick was made with rage and a stroke of genius.
Resurrected from the grave in 2009
The realization, in 2001 and 2007, of prophecies contained in the album IX drove AC Wild and Andy Panigada to reconvene with new drummer Manu ( DEATH MECHANISM) and put into words and music BULLDOZER’s point of view on this world.
During the period of hibernation, Aristodemo – nominated honorary member of the band – took it upon himself to promote the band to new generations of fans. His activities are the inspiration for BULLDOZER re-releases, reissues and the most current boxset Regenerated In The Grave by MetalMind.
The new album Unexpected Fate is due out in 2009.
Guest musicians such as Jennifer Batten , Kiko Loureiro, Billy Sheehan, Olaf Thørsen and Anders Rain give the new project a touch of class and, should we stay, some respectability.
The release of the come-back CD give the chance of a “renaissance” for the band. A renewed interest brings the band to start a new chapter of his history. Recuiting lead guitarist Ghiulz from FAUST, G.C.(A.C.’s teen son) on keyboards and Simon, still of D.M., on bass the band start to promote the new release.
The band had the chance to being guested in major festivals such as Metal Camp, Tuska, Rock Hard etc, alongside band such as Slayer, Kreator, touring Japan and perform shows in many areas of Europe ending with the opening act with their “early time” influence: Motorhead.
On 2011 Simon left the band, replaced by his fellow band member Pozza and the band start again touring Poland and perform shows and festivals alongside Venom, Marduk and many others covering Europe and South America.
On 2013 the band decided it was the time to relase their first Live DVD to “picture” their blast on live shows.
Recorded at Rock Hard Festival Italy in 2012.
On 2013 Andy begins to wrote some “scraps” for the new album and at the present days the band is still working on it.
1984 7” FALLEN ANGEL
1985 THE DAY OF WRATH (Roadrunner)
1986 THE FINAL SEPARATION (Roadrunner)
1988 IX (Metalmaster) (Metal Mind)
1989 NEURODELIRI (Metalmaster) (Metal Mind)
1990 ALIVE IN POLAND (Metal Mind)
1992 DANCE GOT SICK (Bulld EP)
2009 UNEXPECTED FATE (Scarlet)
2012 DVD + CD The Neurospirit lives………….
2014 THE EXORCISM (Foad) original 1984 demo LP-CD
PANTHATONE
Khutso Paynter – Vocals, Guitar
Steve Denning – Drums
BOOGIE
W.T. NEWTON
Ouachita Mountains storyteller, Songwriter, Guzzler of coffee, and lover of traveling and old dogs.
TOBIN BAWINKEL
Flatfoot 56/6’10
THESE BEASTS
These Beasts (Chicago, Illinois) are a trio of hard driving heavy metal, soul bending space rock, and power noise that will rock your face off.
AARON KELLY BAND
The shadow cast by the city of big shoulders is a shade where a certain imagination gets ignited. Perhaps it’s all the train tracks that harken back to when Chicago was truly freight handler to the nation, sending catalog dreams speeding over steel to far off corners of the country.
Aaron Kelly grew up in Plainfield, IL, thinking big and making plans, and wondering where those trains were going to. Falling under the influence of Townes Van Zandt, Hank Sr., John Prine, and contemporaries Todd Snider and Hayes Carll, his songs aren’t too dissimilar from those crates and packages of the last century. They carry the promise that something good is coming. These are songs meant to ease a burden and bring a smile, carefully crafted and made to last.
Aaron has been featured by American Songwriter Magazine, and will release his first solo album in December 2015, after zig-zagging across the country for the last 7 years with his band, Overman.
FAIRVIEW
Pop rock group out of Addison Illinois!
TEDDY BOMBER
We are,
Nico on vox,
Sam on fiddle and backup vox,
James on four string and more backup vox, and
Justin on the skins n’ tins
We like rock n’ roll, partying, and other cool shit.
You probably wont like us.
DUCKWRTH
Over the last five years, LA-based wunderkind Duckwrth has quickly risen up the ranks as a promising star of the future of music. His collection of critically acclaimed projects including Nowhere (2015,) I’m Uugly (2016), Xtra Uugly (2017) and The Falling Man EP (2019), have transcended streaming platforms and landed in films, TV series, and brand ad campaigns and have received critical acclaim from a vast amount of outlets including NPR, The FADER, Complex, XXL and more. This accumulation has led the rapper to become an international touring staple, headlining shows globally and performing at Austin City Limits and opening for superstars Billie Eilish and Anderson .Paak. Duckwrth’s music has appeared on shows like CW’s All American, HBO’s Insecure and Real Time with Bill Maher and his song “Start A Riot” was featured on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. His music has appeared in campaigns for the likes of Cadillac, Microsoft, Peloton, Amazon and Apple Music, and he’s worked with fashion legacies like Levi’s, Vans and Fila, as well as high fashion men’s suit designer Paul Smith.
RAY WILD
Ray Wild brings a fresh funk to vintage rock and roll, pulling from influences of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Mac DeMarco. Born in Chicago, currently in Columbia- Ray Wild has shared the stage with Andrew W.K., Radkey, The Paul Benjamen Band, and recently returned from a 7-stop tour to California and back.
THE 4ONTHEFLOOR
The 4onthefloor deliver stompin’ blues at an alarming intensity. 4onthefloor was born in the bottom of a bourbon bottle with the idea that it’s effing time to have some fun and make amazing music as well. Audiences immediately took to the infectious driving feel of not one, but four bass drums pulsing to the beat of the songs. The music is inspired by the gutsy stomp of the Delta Blues and the hoe-downs from America’s past and present. While 4onthefloor prides themselves on their original songs, they also love putting their signature stomp on covers from the likes of Wilco to Tom Jones. This makes 4onthefloor one of the most entertaining bands on the Midwest music scene today, and the world tomorrow.
FEVER CHILLS
Fever Chills blends pop, rock, jazz, r&b and dance into a sound that’s inspired as much from modern music as it is from the classics. It’s all about the feel.
THE WOODS
We are a rock trio from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.
MODERN VICES
Self-proclaimed dirty doo-wop, Modern Vices are Alex, Peter, Thomas, Patrick, and Miles. They hail from Chicago. Noir in tone, their sound resides somewhere between late ’50s croon and wet garage rock snarl. Their self-recorded, eponymous, LP drops in October via Los Angeles’ Autumn Tone Records. A romantic revolution.
STUFY
As children, many people gave life to their stuffed companions, bestowing upon them names and personalities. As these children grew, their sincere attachment to their inanimate comrades often dwindled or disappeared completely…but little did the world know that the conglomeration of these imaginary personalities would be made manifest in the form of a wandering dream-being collectively imagined by everyone.
And he’s a shithead.
ULTRA NADA
Ultra Nada is a 3 piece punk band from Chicago. We originally started in the summer of 2013 and been consistently performing all around Illinois area since. We recently recorded our first EP and a full album is in the works.
CHRIS DE SALVO
Chris De Salvo is a Chicago-based musician. He lives in Logan Square & records in West Logan Square with the sonically- gifted Tim Joyce. Together, they’ve braved a dastardly grueling winter to create the EP “Glimmer.” Chris wrote it, and Tim made it sounds as shimmery as they both hope you find it to be.
MARMALETTA
Marmaletta formed in the spring of 2014 in the city of Chicago. The band was initially created in support of lead singer/guitarist Joey Cantacessi’s solo project, All My Friends, but budded into something much bigger than expected. More than a band, Marmaletta is an idea, a flowing energy between 5 best friends expressed through spacey, psychedelic infused jam-based music. The group is comprised of members Joey Cantacessi (vocals/guitar), Ryan Flynn (keys/synth/percussion), Stuart MacFadyen (bass), Cole Hawking (keys/synth/percussion), and Evan Weinstein (drums).
TALL DOUG
MIKE DIXON
SONGBURD
Songburd ~ your gal-friend who migrates across the globe singing; pairing the arts & social media to share life’s stories with many cultures.
JAZZ FOR KIDS
Here at Jazz for Kids, we aim to offer you only the greatest selection of quality JAZZ. As we have recently partnered with Jazzy J’s JAZZ Emporium, our prices are competitive and we are sourced from organic, free-range JAZZ cultivators right here in America. We also sell used JAZZ and boast a variety of international JAZZ from England, Japan, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and many other JAZZy countries. Here at Jazz for Kids, we care about JAZZ. But, above all, we care about you.
*not affiliated with the Jewish House for Orphan Jazz
SOMETHING IS WAITING
We have separately been kicked out of every band we’ve ever been in.
We are no longer allowed to talk about music in public or comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band. We cannot play a show with “your band.”
We are not a band. We can not have our pictures taken together. We are not allowed to rent our own, or share a practice space with another group. We each show up separately to “shows.” We do not have band van. We do not have a band fund. When we play “shows” we, “send any money the touring band’s way.” We are allowed to “support local shows” by attending and/or booking them, as long as we do not comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band.
We are allowed to DJ a local psuedo-Metal club and/or hole in the wall-bar that will let us DJ on an off night if we “draw out a few friends” as long as we do not answer “What band” this is when you come up to us and ask us when said band’s song is blaring and can barely be heard over, before you respond, “I thought this sounded familiar.”
We once played with Electric Wizard (because somebody made us).
We are not allowed to be “thrown on the list,” even if you were to say to us, “Hey man, what are you doing this Wednesday? Come out to the show. I’ll throw you on the list.”
The previous owner of our Bassist’s Emperor Bass cab was THE WAR ON DRUGS.
NECROPHAGIA
Necrophagia was one of the first death metal bands. The band was assembled in Wellsville, Ohio in 1983. Their name derives from the act of cannibalizing, or eating a corpse. The word derives from the two Greek words nekron (corpse) and phagein (to eat).
Necrophagia was a popular group in the underground “tape trading” scene of the early-to-mid-1980s. Featuring hard-driving metal and growling vocals, Necrophagia became a pioneer in the fledgling extreme metal genre. Their first full-length album, Season of the Dead, was recorded and released in 1987.
The band then split up due to musical differences, and lay dormant until 1997 when frontman Killjoy reformed the band with then Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo (under the pseudonym Anton Crowley) on guitars, Wayne Fabra on drums and Dustin Havnen on bass. This lineup released the album Holocausto de la Morte and the EP Black Blood Vomitorium. Havnen was then replaced by Jared Faulk, with Gorelord mainman Frediablo also joining as a second guitarist and Opal Enthroned (then Anselmo’s wife) joining the band on keyboards. This line up released the Cannibal Holocaust EP in 2001 before splitting up leaving Killjoy & Frediablo as the only members for a short time.
In 2002 Killjoy announced the new Necrophagia line-up. Joining him and Frediablo would be Frediablos brother Fug on guitar, Iscariah (formerly of Immortal) on bass, Titta Tanni on drums and Mirai Kawashima of Japanese avant-garde black metal band Sigh on keyboards. This proved to be the most productive time for Necrophagia, with all members concentrating on the band rather than treating it as a side project. They released the albums The Divine Art of Torture and Harvest Ritual Vol. 1, as well as the Goblins Be Thine EP.
On June 6, 2006 Necrophagia released Slit Wrists And Casket Rot, a live album from their “Harvesting the Dead” tour.
Frediablo left the band in early 2006 to concentrate on his other band Gorelord, and has been replaced by Undead Torment.
On 22 December 2007 Necrophagia announced that Death Trip 69, will be released before Summer 2008, followed by a major tour, but the release of the album has been delayed.
VENOM INC
After more than 20 years and for reasons that will become apparent, along with repeated fan requests, we introduce …
VENOM.INC – IRON & STEEL
Following on from the much acclaimed Prime Evil album era and in the great tradition of VENOM, the three protagonists continue to brew the cauldron……
MANTAS – THE DEMOLITION MAN – ABADDON
Are BACK!
With a launch appearance at the highly respected ‘Keep It True festival’ in April, followed by live dates in China, Japan and Taiwan in July, a full European tour in September… and a full South American tour as well as festival appearances and North American dates planned…. with a FULL and CLASSIC VENOM set.
Followed by a brand NEW album
This absolute powerhouse of metal are set to bring you all that was/is and will be Venomously brutal and exciting. It is time to set the record straight and give back what was lost.
Welcome to the beginning of the end….!!
MR. CONSTANT
Mr. Constant is a three-piece psychedelic/hard rock/funk band founded in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Originally formed from an improvisational standpoint, the group’s focus has shifted towards tighter songs that emphasize the mix of different genres that they forge. This collective melting pot of genres is what they call Mr. Constant, for the only constant in music is change.
RDGLDGRN
After a brief hiatius, RDGLDGRN (pronounced RED GOLD GREEN) is back and gearing up for the release of their second EP. Slated for release in Fall 2015, the band leaked their first single, “No Pixar,” to kick off the summer early. Amassing over 100,000 streams in 48 hours—the song received resounding feedback from critics and fans alike, and signals an ambitious progression in the band’s sound. The video to their follow up track “Runnin Away,” also met with glowing reviews and gave new fans a view into the band’s energetic live show and eager fanbase.
With a distinctive go-go drumbeat native to Washington D.C. serving as the backbone to the band’s sound, RDGLDGRN represents the best of the city’s musical heritage: influenced by punk, hip-hop, jazz, indie rock, and soul. The result is a trio that could be the lovechild of The Neptunes and Arcade Fire—excelling as a live indie band and as a hip-hop group and production trio. To put it simply, this band, while deeply rooted in D.C.’s sonic landscape, also manages to transcend it.
RDGLDGRN initially gained widespread recognition after self-releasing the song, “I Love Lamp,” on YouTube, a song that landed them in the studio with Dave Grohl and Pharrell Williams, with whom they collaborated on their debut album, RDGLDGRN LP. Williams co-wrote and co-produced the standout track “Doing the Most,” which showcases the breadth of the group’s capabilities and their willingness to defy convention.
However, while the singularity of their music demands attention, it is their live performance that has boosted the band’s reputation and built them a diverse and loyal following. The band’s ability to engage with their audience—combining audience participation and irreverent ad-libs and mash-ups to accompany their high-energy performances—has established RDGLDGRN as a must-see live act, sharing stages alongside Outkast, The Killers, The Foo Fighters, 311, Lauryn Hill, Talib Kweli, and AWOLNation. With each performance, RDGLDGRN delivers the kind of energy that could jump-start a stadium, as they did opening for (Foo Fighters July show), with the kind of audience connection one would expect at a private club.
With their upcoming sophomore EP, RDGLDGRN promises an evolution in their sound, as the group fuses its genre-bending musicality with a sly wit, honesty, and truly global worldview. In “No Pixar,” the group confronts the trials of forging their own path and establishing their own sense of identity and morality—a move that not only has The Source calling them “the rap game’s Disney,” but signals the band’s willingness to step into the void. Not content to be the product of their myriad influences, RDGLDGRN continues to stake their claim as the new musical vanguard.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS
It really doesn’t take much…
With nothing more than a Gibson Les Paul slung over his shoulder, a warm amp turned all the way up, and a hot microphone on and ready, Jared James Nichols churns out the kind of rock that rips, roars, and rolls without filter or apology. The Wisconsin-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist delivers a one-two punch of gritty vocals straight from the gut and incendiary fret fireworks. After earning widespread acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Guitar World, Relix, and more, tallying millions of streams, and packing houses at countless shows, he showcases every side of himself on his 2023 self-titled third full-length offering, Jared James Nichols [Black Hill Records].
“You have to strip yourself back so many times to figure out what you’re trying to do,” he observes. “For me, it was quite simple. As an artist, music is freedom; music is whatever you want it to be. So, I see it with the bumps, the bruises, the crashes, and everything intact. The album is a day in the life with the ups and downs, but it musically rings true to who I am as an artist.”
Back in 2015, Jared emerged with his debut Old Glory & The Wild Revival. On its heels, the 2018 follow-up Black Magic yielded the fan favorite “Honey Forgive Me,” piling up over 3.8 million Spotify streams and counting. In between showstopping solo shows, he performed alongside icons a la Slash, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, and even the late Leslie West, to name a few. Guitar World attested, “If you’ve never witnessed Jared James Nichols onstage, let us say right now: you’re missing out, big time.” Following the 2021 fan favorite Shadow Dancer EP, he collaborated with both Maggie Rose and Joe Bonamassa in 2022 for revised versions of his song “Threw Me To The Wolves.”
Along the way, Gibson formally welcomed him as an official ambassador, plotting the release of several signature Jared James Nichols guitars. Blackstar Amps followed suit and Seymour Duncan also designed a signature pickup to his specification—due out in 2023.
Officially partnering with Gibson was a huge moment in the guitar aficionado’s life. Nearly a decade ago, a Les Paul literally landed into the yard of a fan during the biggest tornado ever to impact Washington, IL. The fan shared a picture of the guitar with Jared. “It was one of the earliest known Les Pauls ever created from 1952,” he explains. “It was battered and bruised with a broken neck from the tornado, but it was still salvageable.” The fan offered to give it to Jared to restore and play. He sent it to one of the world’s best luthiers, Joel Wilkins.
“It is a very important piece of musical history as it is a prototype—1 of 25—to the most important electric guitar shape in the world, the Gibson Les Paul,” he smiles. “It is one of the most perfect instruments I have ever played. I play it every day, take it on tour, and make music with it all over the world. It’s the best way to honor its legacy. I named the guitar ‘Dorothy’ after the tornado experience.”
Fast forward to present time, and after weathering the Pandemic, Jared’s long-awaited return to the road would be unceremoniously derailed. About two weeks into a tour with Black Stone Chery in the fall of 2021, he tried to help his band pack up the stage and upon grabbing a road case, he felt a pop in his right arm. What he thought might be a pulled muscle wound up being bone scraping inside his arm. Whisked away to the emergency room, the x-ray showed a chipped humerus bone due to longtime stress fractures. The only solution proved to be emergency surgery with a chance he might never play guitar again or even use the arm.
“After surgery, I found myself with a plate and 16 screws in my arm, completely sidelined, and back home in bed,” he sighs. “I did not let this hold me down, and I found myself re-working how to use my right arm to play again within days. If anything, breaking my arm forced me right back to square one and to rebuild into the best possible version of myself I could be.”
Busting his ass to restore a semblance of normalcy, he pushed forward and regained use of the arm and his storied guitar proficiency. Going into the next season, Jared made a decision to track his next body of work live, reflecting the spirit of his show on tape like never before. Joined by producer Eddie Spear, the album proudly preserves all of the grit and gusto from the rooms in Blackbird Studios and Sienna Studios where he first cut the tunes.
“It was made live with intention and zero fucks given,” he notes. “It wasn’t like we could fix the tempos. We didn’t use a click track. I wrote a batch of songs to capture everything I’m about. I didn’t hold back. I thought of what I listened to growing up, whether it was grunge or blues. We got a little heavier. I made a record to serve as the menu for the live show. There’s an element of excitement and danger. It’s my version of rock ‘n’ roll with a little more humanity.”
Speaking of, he paved the way for the record with the 2022 release of the hypnotic and hyper-charged “Hard Wired.” Born from a jam session with Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford, the single bulldozed a path for Jared James Nicholswith no shortage of raw and raucous six-string bravado.
“Sometimes, a song comes out of nowhere and basically writes itself, and that is exactly what happened with this one,” he says. “I immediately knew it was going to be a song I wanted to incorporate into my live set and cut for this record. Lyrically, it comes from a place of self-destruction. You know something is bad for you, but you continue to do it anyway even though the result will be tragic. It’s like a stick of dynamite ready to blow, and it encapsulates the mood and tone of this entire record.”
On the follow-up single “Down The Drain,” vulnerable vocals snake around melodic guitar in ominous fashion. Baring its fangs, it snaps into a chantable chorus punctuated by a wailing lead.
“It’s easy to get addicted to a shitty relationship,” he reveals. “You know it’s going to end wrong, but you can’t get out. You’re going down the drain. The concept is relatable to everyone, whether it’s about a friend or a romantic relationship.”
From the jump, the record kicks into high gear with the bluesy wallop of “My Delusion.” In between steady tambourine, distortion roars as he confesses, “Your body is my temple, and your heart is my ruin.”
“‘My Delusion’ kept evolving,” he recalls. “It was like water starting to boil. By the time you get into the solo and the riff, it’s ready to go off the rails. When we stopped after the second take, we were sweating head-to-toe. We knew we got it!”
On “Hallelujah,” a flurry of drums gives way to a thick and heavy battering ram of a blues riff only to crash into a rickety bass line and atomic shredding.
“It was recorded balls to the wall,” he remembers. “We were like, ‘Let’s go’. I was channeling all of my heroes. Obviously, the first riff I ever learned was a Black Sabbath tune. It’s a fist in the air song.”
“Good Time Girl” pays homage to “going out, drinking, partying, and having a good time” over a hummable guitar groove. The record culminates on the emotionally charged “Out Of Time.” Jared’s Les Paul practically cries out as he says goodbye to his old man with a heartfelt and tearful tribute.
“I lost my dad, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with in my life,” he admits. “I wrote ‘Out of Time’ when I was thinking of him. It’s a heavy song. I was crying when I was doing the vocals. It’s a different vibe, but it’s impactful for me.”
By keeping it simple, Jared remains primed to leave his imprint on rock ‘n’ roll forever.
“I hope you listen to this record and connect to it,” he leaves off. “Rock ‘n’ roll is not always about a throwback. It’s fucking 2022, dude. I’m right here, and I’m ready to rip. I’m not trying to be anybody but myself and play the music I love for today. I’m giving you loud ass guitars and no fucks given rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m loving it.”
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
Born and raised in the Black Country, Joanne was originally discovered by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart as a 16 year old guitar prodigy. Through hard work and near-constant touring, she is now one of the hottest young names on the British Blues circuit. She is admired and respected by many leading blues guitarists including Joe Bonamassa.
Joanne was voted “Best British Female Vocalist” at the British Blues Awards in 2010 and 2011. Her current album, Almost Always Never, was helmed by the legendary record producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Patty Griffin) in Austin, Texas. Joanne was invited as special guest to Annie Lennox performing at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in June 2012. Joanne is currently working on her 4th studio album due for release later in 2014.
DOUG ALDRICH
Doug Aldrich is a Guitarist of Burning Rain & Whitesnake, and was in Dio, Bad Moon Rising, Lion…
Guitarist Doug Aldrich is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary talent. This gifted instrumentalist has spent the better part of his life as a dedicated partner to the six string, be it named Les Paul, Jackson, or Fender. A hit maker worldwide, LA- based Doug realized his love for music and the guitar at the age of eleven when he first heard Jeff Beck. “I picked up my sister’s classical guitar and slowly began teaching myself how to play.”…
GLENN HUGHES
Vocalist/bass guitarist/songwriter Glenn Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes’ calling card. He’s known as a singer’s singer: in fact, Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer.
Hughes, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, the Beatles and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.
The first important band Hughes was a member of that achieved notable success was Trapeze, while in 1973 he joined one of the most popular bands in the world, Deep Purple. The trailblazing hard-rock legends had just weathered the departure of vocalist Ian Gillan and bass guitarist Roger Glover, but guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice continued with the addition of Hughes and David Coverdale. Any skepticism was squelched with the 1974 release of Burn. This stunning album rejuvenated the band and stands tall among Deep Purple classics.
In the halcyon days, Purple headlined at the famous California Jam in 1974 in front of quarter of a million people. World tours via Purple’s own jet plane, ‘The Starship’ and two more studio albums later, (the Hughes influenced Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band), Deep Purple finally split in 1976.
Now living in Los Angeles, Glenn’s first solo album Play Me Out was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form Hughes/Thrall, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists’ albums, in particular he appeared on the vastly underrated Seventh Star, was officially credited as ‘Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi’. Hughes and Iommi remained friends and in the past few years they have released one brand new studio album together.
More commercial recognition came when the KLF dubbed Glenn Hughes ‘The Voice of Rock’, proudly featuring him on their international best selling hit single America- What Time is Love’
Since 1992, Hughes has toured extensively in Europe, Japan and South America in support of solo albums such as Blues, From Now On…, Feel, Addiction, The Way It Is, Return Of Crystal Karma, Building The Machine, Songs In The Key Of Rock, Soul Mover and Music For The Divine.
Soul Mover saw the continuation of the successful creative partnership with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith that began with Glenn’s live DVD Soulfully Live in the City of Angels (2004). Soul Mover was voted 12th best album of the year by highly influential UK magazine CLASSIC ROCK.
After the release of his last studio album, the successful Music For The Divine in 2006, 2007 saw Glenn make successful tours of Russia, South America, Italy, Norway and Spain, along with solo dates in London – at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Empire – Bulgaria and Greece. 2007 also saw Glenn headline at festival appearances in France and Norway. Glenn also took part in the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in New York, which was highly successful and he also appeared as a guest presenter at the Classic Rock Awards in both 2006 and 2007. Another highlight of a diverse and colorful year were the 2 sold out solo shows at the famous Whisky in Los Angeles and BB King’s in New York.
2008 saw Glenn undertake another extensive European tour; including a month long trek across Russia, festival appearances, and his first live shows in Belarus, Estonia and Romania. Another highlight was Glenn?s appearance in London at the Childline Charity concert in March 2008 where he performed a short set of Deep Purple classics with Purple drummer Ian Paice. This was particularly poignant as it was the first time the pair had played together since the Purple days. Ironically, in June 2008, Glenn played in Liverpool, England for the first time in over 30 years; a triumphant and emotional return to the city where Deep Purple Mark IV played their final ever concert before disbanding in 1976.
Other highlights of 2008 include Glenn?s live on air performance on the USA radio show Rockline, and his first appearance in New Zealand since 1975 with Deep Purple, when Glenn brought the house down at the G-Taranaki Festival in July.
Glenn’s most current studio album, the 2008 release “First Underground Nuclear Kitchen” is the latest chapter in an extraordinary musical evolution, and is quite possibly the most compelling and positive musical statement in a distinguished career already abundant with highlights and milestones.
Chad Smith again plays out of his skin on the drums, and Glenn has rarely – if ever – sounded more inspired, written with such grace, or sung with more passion.
Another world jaunt accompanied the release, carrying on into 2009 with tours of Europe, Russia, South America and selected shows in the States including sell out shows in LA and NYC.
2010 was one of the most exciting and prolific years in Glenn’s career as it saw him recording and touring in a new supergroup project, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION with guitar star Joe Bonamassa, keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Dream Theatre) and drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin legend John Bonham. The band released their debut album on September 20th, 2010. The album went to #13 in the Official UK Album Chart and #1 in the Official UK Rock Album Chart. Produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Black Crowes, Page and Plant, Journey etc), this is yet another world-class musical statement that raises the bar for rock singing.
In November 2010, Hughes was awarded the ChildLine Award at Classic Rock’s Roll of Honour.
Glenn and BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION released their second album, “2”, in 2011, followed shortly afterwards, by their debut live tour encompassing the USA, UK and Europe. Their third release, “LIVE OVER EUROPE”, recorded live while on the European leg of their debut tour, reached the Top 5 spot world-wide with releases on DVD, CD, Blu-ray and Vinyl.
Glenn had his AUTOBIOGRAPHY published in 2011, in both hard and soft cover editions. The Number 1 best seller is available at all good retailers, both online and at traditional brick & mortar stores!
In November 2011, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION won the prestigious Classic Rock Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at the Classic Rock Awards in London, with Glenn collecting the award on behalf of the band.
2012 saw Glenn touring Russia as a solo artist and also South America as a member of the Rock and Roll AllStars, featuring his good friends Gene Simmons, Matt Sorum, and Joe Elliot amongst others. Glenn also did solo shows and guest appearances in the UK, Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, China and Armenia but his main focus in 2012 was the writing, recording and press promotion for the third BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION album, “AFTERGLOW”. Released worldwide in late October 2012, and again produced by Kevin Shirley, the album was another huge success for the band, and is possibly the most Glenn dominated album of the three, with many of the songs written solely by Glenn.
In late 2013 he formed a new band called CALIFORNIA BREED with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Andrew Watt and in May 2014, the band released their debut self-titled album, followed by Autumn tour dates in the USA (w/ Alter Bridge), Russia, Europe and UK (w/ SLASH).
So make no mistake. The Voice of Rock never left the building.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN “BORN TO RUN”
Born to Run is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. As his effort to break into the mainstream, the album was a commercial success, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling six million copies in the United States. Two singles were released from the album: “Born to Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”; the first helped Springsteen to reach mainstream popularity. The tracks “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland” became staples of album-oriented rock radio and Springsteen concert high points.
THE SOAKS
From the gritty, graffiti clad walls of a Tijuana bar, to the sweaty, pulsing crowd in a smoke filled California house party, The Soaks are the fuzzy garage soundtrack to whatever half drunk, inevitably regrettable decisions you made the night before. Equal parts sugar dipped hooks and driving, no frills punk, the San Diego four piece’s frenzied barrage channels timeless Southern California sounds. With the addition of organ, synths and weaving vocal harmonies to “Loser”, the follow up to their self titled May release, The Soaks both expand and define their hard hitting and relentlessly catchy assault. “Loser” will be available this fall via Riot House Records. www.thesoaks.com
BRAIN DEAD
“You guys are everything that is great about heavy metal!” A shared consensus reverberates throughout Brain Dead shows, and attests to the foursomes’ unstoppable drive to make a name for themselves in their scene. Based in Los Angeles, the band consists of Adam Axe (guitar), Rez Peterson (bass), Josh Angel (drums), and Joey Dalo (vocals). The band’s first demo was released in January of 2011 and their unrepentant approach has paved the way for metal domination. In the words of Brain Dead, “We want to melt faces with our music, and we will stop at nothing until it’s heard!”
WARHEAD
Beginning as a fledgling Thrash Metal outfit from Chandler, Arizona, Warhead has evolved into one of the most dynamic, versatile, and explosive bands in the Valley’s metal scene. The band’s vocalist and guitar player Nolan Castles is joined by Sam Bollard on Bass, Cody Bailey on Lead Guitar, and Dane White on drums.
Warhead’s music is the volatile result of the classic metal sound colliding with each members’ unique influences, producing some of the hardest hitting anthems that the scene has ever heard. The band’s music is matched by their genuine look, like a battalion of metal warriors. Fresh off the release of their self funded debut album, “Death Row,” Warhead hit the road for their first tour of the West Coast in May 2013. Crowds were captivated by Warhead’s chaotic live show, and eagerly await their return. Currently, the band is in writing mode for an EP, and planning another tour for mid-September.
This is no retro act. Warhead is not hungry for success. Warhead is four musicians starving for success, demanding attention, and pushing everyone else out of the way. At the end of the day, Warhead lives for music, and everything else is purely secondary.