Leslie West on Playing with Zakk Wylde, Slash and Billy Gibbons – Interview

I had a good week. First I got to chat with a vocal legend in Jon Anderson from Yes, the next day I got to chat with a guitar icon in Leslie West from the band Mountain. I’m a guitar player that didn’t practice enough, so I always enjoy talking to guitar players, but it was a real honor to chat with a legend like Leslie West. As many of you know, earlier this year West had his leg amputated due to struggles with Diabetes, but that’s not holding him back, he’s got a new album coming out in a couple of weeks and he’s hitting the road with Uli Jon Roth and Michael Shenker in October. Check out my humbling interview with a guitar legend below.

Zoiks!: “The Unusual Suspects” is one of my favorite albums so far this year, how would you describe the album?

Leslie West: Sounds good to me. That’s how I would describe it. I was very very happy when it came out. Usually, I don’t do a lot of preproduction. This is the first album I did quite a bit of it because I wanted to have the tracks down in a certain way before I went out to California to finish it. I recorded the tracks on the East Coast. My producer was out in California so he had a good idea of what the songs were going to be ahead of time and it made the process really easy especially with having the guests that I had on the album. Still, I think the songs held up pretty good even if I didn’t have anybody on there.

Z!: You do have quite the cast of characters on the album, how did the special guests come together?

LW: Well it was guys I wanted to put on there. The record company, I guess they had an idea, they wanted me to use Buddy Guy and guys like that. I don’t even know Buddy Guy, but I had certain guys that I wanted to have on there. I knew I wanted Zakk Wylde on there, he’s like my, he calls me his father. We have the same manager, so I knew he was gonna be on it. Then when Slash came up, that was a really great happening. Until that song came along, after I recorded it, put the track down, I said boy this would be great if Slash and I would play a duet on guitars, and it worked out really, really, really well, really well. Joe Bonamassa, I played on Joe’s album, an early album of his. So when I asked Joe he’s on mascot too, same brand, I said I’d love you to play on the album, he says you know one of my favorite cuts of all time is my recording of Willie Dixon and Eddie Boyd’s “Third Degree,” ‘if you ever want to recut it I’d love to do it,’ he said. I said, consider it done. And so we recorded it, and when I was out in California I went to Hollywood and got a studio for us to sit in and we sat about two feet away from each other and played. It wasn’t like he would do over, I would go in, it was all at the same time. And with Billy Gibbons, on ZZ-Top’s first tour they were, I think, they played several shows with Mountain so I knew Billy for a long time. My producer had been working with them, and, I said ask Billy if he would like to play on the album, and he said that he was working on a song called “Standing on Higher Ground” for me, and when he came out to the studio, we finished writing it, he played it for me, and then we sang it and it worked out pretty smoothly. It wasn’t like how are we gonna get this done? What studio am I going to go to? So it all came together really smooth.

Z!: What does it mean to you that the guitar icons of the day like Slash, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa list you as a major influence. How important is that to you?

LW: I’m thrilled, thrilled to death. I listen to their playing and it’s very flattering. It humbles you, let’s put it that way. I’m not a humble guy, but that’s very humbling to hear that.

Z!: Your guitar tone and style is one of the most recognizable. I once read an interview with Slash that said there were a lot of great guitar players out there, but a lot of them lack an original style. Is having a style, is that something that you can develop or is that something that just comes natural?

LW: I think that early on when I realized I couldn’t play that fast, I’m not a speedy player, all I use is 2 fingers on my left hand for fingering, so when I found out that my vibrato, my tone early on, I could capitalize on that instead of trying to learn to play fast, because I can’t and I don’t want to play fast and sloppy. Basically, I want every note to count. I tried to work on that, it wasn’t something where I consciously say yeah this is what I want to do. It just sort of happened after I listened to a couple things people pointed out to me about my playing so it worked.

Z!: Who are some of your early influences?

LW: It’s funny, I don’t have roots very deep in the south. My early influences were Cream, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Henrix, and that’s who I wanted to play like. I wanted to play like Eric Clapton.

Z!: Are there artists today that influence you?

LW: Yeah I love Joe Satriani. I went on tour with him two years ago and I had the time of my life. Zakk also, in my DVD called “A Sound in a Story” I went up to Chicago to film playing with him on stage and do a couple of bits on the DVD, funny little vignettes or something like that. I love the way Slash plays, and on the new album on “Mudflap Mama,” the first solo is me playing and then Slash comes in, I swear to god it sounds like a harmonica. I don’t know how the hell he’s doing that. I watched him do it, I still couldn’t tell you how he did it. I listen to those things and I get really… Of course years ago when I stopped playing and I went to rehab in Milwaukee, drug rehab, first show I went to see when I was at least sober enough was Van Halen’s first tour. I think they were opening Journey at Montrose and I saw him play, and that made me want to start playing the guitar again.

Z!: You have a tour coming up, the Guitar Hero tour. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

LW: Uli Jon Roth, Michael Shenker and myself and I think we start in October, and hopefully we’re each gonna play about 30-40 minutes, and then at the end we’re gonna come out and play together. It’s gonna be fun and exciting. I love those guys. It’s different generations, three generations of guitarists so it should be very interesting.

Z!: Will any of the songs off the new album make the set?

LW: Yeah I’m gonna try to do “Mudflap Mama” during my show. Usually when you do that you’re gonna hear some Mountain songs also, but yeah I’m definitely gonna do that.

BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.

READ MORE - Leslie West on Playing with Zakk Wylde, Slash and Billy Gibbons – Interview

Eric Sardinas First Concert…Elvis Aaron Presley - Interview

There are two albums coming out mid September that I’m dying to share with you. One is guitar legend Leslie West’s solo album and the other is Eric Sardinas and Big Motor’s fifth effort “Sticks and Stones.” It’s authentic blues and rock n roll. There are some great songs on the album, but this isn’t the album review. Recently Eric Sardinas played a concert in my backyard…by backyard I mean an establishment about two blocks away from my house called Rascals Moline. I hopped on over there and chatted with Mr. Sardinas.

Zoiks!: When is your album “Sticks and Stones” coming out?

Eric Sardinas: It’s coming out on the 13th. It was supposed to be released on the 30th, but there was some sort of hitch with the printing, some stuff ending up bleeding or something like that, so anyway lucky 13.

Z!: How would you describe the new album?

ES: I’m actually happy to say it’s very capturing. It really does capture the energy of the band and of the music. That was a goal and it’s always something you need to be concerned about, for me especially. Being a live band as much as we are, taking the music into the studio you can lose that energy, that energy can sterilize really fast. We really had a nice energy inside of the studio and we brought the songs to where I really expected them to go. I was really excited about the songs in general, and so to bring those songs as individual pieces to where they needed to be we had to make sure that that energy flowed, and so we captured it. I think that it’s an energetic album and it really portrays where we’re at today.

Z!: How many albums is this?

ES: It’s actually my fifth.

Z!: How was the writing and recording process different this time around?

ES: I think that each album is kind of like a stepping-stone just in general for me. I’m in a different place and at a different point both musically and lyrically. I try to push those energies with each recording to move forward, and I think that the thing that makes it different in the last album is that I moved it forward for myself.

Z!: How are the new songs translating live?

ES: Pretty honestly. We never play the same song the same way twice. There’s a structure and there’s an energy to that, and there’s a lot of freedom in a live show that we do. That’s the way I like to harness it. It’s really about the song, but it’s also the freedom of where that song can take you.

Z!: Is there a song that gets the best reaction from the crowd?

ES: I think there’s a flow of nuance that I like to interject in a live show. I like to take it down to the strip down acoustic delta style, acoustic Texas style blues, and I like to also bring it all the way to a place that borderlines between the blues and the rock and turn it sideways. It’s really about a ride for the listener.

Z!: What’s your favorite song to play? What’s the most fun song to play?

ES: Fun song, huh? I think they’re all fun. To be honest with you I’m like a little kid up there.

Z!: What can people expect from your live show?

ES: I like to think of it as a musical experience. If you love your live music, if you love blues, you like rock, the rock and roll, and you like to have a good time, it’s really about getting in touch with everything that matters and forgetting about everything that doesn’t for a little while. I have a song for everything I’ve ever been through, the good the bad, and I think we all do. The ups and downs and there’s memories in every one of them. Music really is a pulse point for me, and I think it’s that energy when people come together, it’s a place for everyone to cut loose and be free.

Z!: Do you remember when music was first introduced into your life?

ES: Oh absolutely. I grew up listening to blues and gospel and Motown, soul, and rock and roll. Music was always being played at my house. My first concert was Elvis. I saw Elvis when I was six. I had music in my life at an early age.

Z!: How was that first concert? How did that experience affect your life?

ES: It affected it a great deal. For something you’ve had since your memory was there, to have music and to know who Ray Charles was and who Elvis Presley was and to be there in that concert situation as a young boy, it’s like anything else. It’s like seeing the blue’s greats. Those opportunities were of the times and a moment and I remember it like yesterday.

Z!: Where did your playing style come from?

ES: It’s a little bit of a blend. Coming full circle with the music that I was telling you that I was exposed to, that really is what generated me being interested in being musical in the first place. I think that through listening to rhythm and blues and gospel and Motown, and hearing rock and roll, and having an older brother listening to Boston and Kiss, Johnny Winters, ZZ-Top, I’m listening to Zeppelin there and then I’m going downstairs and listening to Moody Blue from Elvis or Ray Charles. I think all those things kind of came together and made the road.

Z!: Who are some of the artists you’re listening to today?

ES: You know what? The same ones I’m talking about. I love all kinds of music, but I really focus on the musicians and the music that have something to say and are moving it forward, and that’s really all the people that we know in the train of recorded music. Everyone has something to say, and those people that I bring up are just the people that we know, but there’s so many people in between. It’s like this endless well of pure energy.

Z!: What keeps it going, cuz I gotta imagine it’s hard, that 2 hours up on stage has got to be amazing, but the 3 days on the road getting there has got to be tedious. What keeps you going?

ES: Since about 8 years before I was signed in ’99, and since then, I’ve been on the road for 250 nights a year, plus. I’m all about making music. My worst day doing what I love would be my best day doing anything else. My energy is actually very circular. When I’m finished with a show I’ve given everything I have, and I’ve also received as much energy as I’ve given and the next day I’m recharged.

Z!: I don’t want to call them guilty pleasures, but is there anybody that you’re into that your fans might be surprised that you’re into, artist wise?

ES: I don’t know about that. I have my ears open to everything. I love rock. I love metal. I love the Beastie Boys. I just listen to good music, and anybody who moves anything forward. I can also talk about which generation from the ‘20s and ‘30s from Robert Johnson Sun House, Barbecue Bob, Foot McDowell to the ‘30s and ‘40s with T-bone Walker. I can move it all up and talk about all those different energies. I just love real music, that’s what I love.

Z!: As a guitar player, how often do you get to play? Do you get to play daily? Is there ever a day that you don’t play guitar?

ES: Being out on the road as much as we are, my guitar and I are pretty much inseparable. When I get back and get off the road it’s pretty much in between a tour, just enough time to use a big bar of soap, and wash up and be able to see your mama and daddy and get back on the road. That’s really the couple of times I may not be playing the guitar that day.

Z!: What’s your proudest achievement so far?

ES: That I’m still here. That I’m able to still do it, and I have a record that I’m proud of, and I feel like I have more to say.

BYLINE:

Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.

READ MORE - Eric Sardinas First Concert…Elvis Aaron Presley - Interview

The Middle With Greg Fitzsimmons.

Greg Fitzsimmons has won four Emmy Awards, has his own show on Sirius/XM, and has over 50 TV appearances. He's a regular on Howard Stern, Letterman, Conan, and seemingly everything that's ever aired on VH1. His podcast is wildly successful, his book "Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons" did incredibly well, and he's about to host a new series on the Speed Channel called "Pumped." But all that and he's not a household name.

"I have made it to the middle in show business and I really like it here," Fitzsimmons said. "I'm not sure that more money or fame would bring me more happiness."

Fitzsimmons' happiness comes in part from the career he spent so many years building up. Growing up "obsessed" with standup, his first appearance was at a talent show his senior year of high school.

"There were drugs involved that night," Fitzsimmons remembered about his routine bashing the faculty. "The principal unplugged my microphone half way through."

After the standard demeaning rise ("I once had a woman vomit on me after I followed a comedian dressed up as a clam," Fitzsimmons said.), Fitzsimmons landed a gig hosting Idiot Savants, a game show on MTV that lasted from December 1996 til April 1997.

But that same year, Fitzsimmons landed a sitcom deal, a show on the USA Network, and a number of other TV appearances. The next decade and a half was a steady climb, much of it centered around his long-term relationship with The Howard Stern Show.

"Stern is like required listening for everybody in show business," Fitzsimmons said about the man who gave him his own show. "You cannot explain how someone gets as successful as him, but being near it gives you a confidence that you should go out and do it your own way."

The other part of Fitzsimmons' happiness comes from his family. Fitzsimmons even sent his mother his first Emmy.

"I think she has dinner with it every night," Fitzsimmons said.



But it was Fitzsimmons' father, radio personality Bob Fitzsimmons, that gave him the advice that would help shape him.

"My father told me when I first started that standup is exciting and I should pursue it, but that writing would be the thing that would give me power over my career," Fitzsimmons said. "I never have to take a road gig or a writing gig I don't want because I always have the ability to play one against the other."

Fitzsimmons standup also reflects his writing ability. Much of his set is made up of short and to-the-point perfectly structured jokes.

"I'm not saying [the TSA] was intense at the screening," Fitzsimmons set up during one of his Letterman appearances. "But tomorrow night the guy who frisked me is introducing me to his parents."

Writing for shows like "Ellen" and the Emmy Awards themselves also allow Fitzsimmons to spend time at home with his wife and kids. And to obtain a kind of happiness we all seek.

"Irish parents will try to off-set their low self-esteem by producing successful children so nobody can look down on them," Fitzsimmons only half joked. "My dad was really proud of me. It was a nice thing."

While many stand-ups fill their lives with regret and a desperate desire to achieve whatever is next, Fitzsimmons is content with his "middle." Well, almost content.

"I make a great living doing exactly what I want and have a lot of choices at any given time," Fitzsimmons said. "I would, at some point however, like to do blow in a Porsche with Paulie Shore."



BYLINE:

Steve Hofstetter is an internationally touring comedian that has been on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “E! True Hollywood Story,” and more. Read past columns at OnComedians.com.

READ MORE - The Middle With Greg Fitzsimmons.

INDIE ROCK DUO IAMDYNAMITE TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM 'SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC' ON SEPT 13.

Red hot indie-rock duo IAMDYNAMITE has announced plans to release their impressive debut album, SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC, on September 13 via Brando Records.

The high energy duo featuring Chris Martin ("C-Mart") and Chris Phillips ("C²") had been cutting their teeth in the Detroit indie rock scene for a short time before making the move to Raleigh, NC with their own unique sound that some have described as "2 guys that sound like 5."

On SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC, armed with only a simple electric guitar and drum kit, C-Mart and C² whip their way through thirty-three minutes of raucous indie rock that's chock full of clever harmonies, 70's psychedelic guitar riffs, bombastic drums and undeniable dance hooks for one of the most infectious groove laden debuts in years.

Produced by Matt Noveskey (bassist for Blue October) and mixed by Jay Ruston (Cold War Kids, Polyphonic Spree, Leonard Cohen) SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC is a relentless sing-a-long album that features ten unforgettable tracks like the contagious anthems "Stereo," "Carolina," "Hey Girl" and "Ms. Jones."

After years on the road in the indie rock trenches, IAMDYNAMITE have built a strong following of fans throughout US and Europe. The band will be hitting the road with Houston's platinum selling rock band Blue October in September/October.

SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC Track Listing:

1. Where Will We Go



2. Hi Lo



3. Riot In The Neon Light



4. Carolina



5. Hey Girl



6. Stereo



7. Ms. Jones



8. O.E.O.



9. Take Me Home



10. Annie

IAMDYNAMITE TOUR DATES (w/Blue October)

Sept 8 – Phoenix, AZ – The Foundry

Sept 9 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

Sept 10 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues

Sept 11 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues

Sept 13 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues

Sept 15 – Reno, NV – Knitting Factory

Sept 16 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom

Sept 17 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

Sept 18 – Seattle, WA – Showbox

Sept 20 – Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre

Sept 21 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

Sept 22 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory

Sept 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue

Sept 25 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre

Sept 28 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place

Sept 29 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café

Sept 30 - Kansas City, MO – Crossroads

Oct 1 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant

Oct 2 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note

Oct 4 - Fayetteville, AR - Georges Majestic Lounge

Oct 6 - Tulsa, OK - Cains Ballroom

Oct 7 - Council Bluffs, IA - Mid-America Center

Oct 8 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues

Oct 9 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues

Oct 12 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre

Oct 13 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre

Oct 14 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore

Oct 15 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

Oct 16 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall

Oct 17 - Boston, MA - House of Blues

Oct 19 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore

Oct 20 - Atlanta, GA - The Buckhead Theatre

Oct 21 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

READ MORE - INDIE ROCK DUO IAMDYNAMITE TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM 'SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC' ON SEPT 13.

WESTLAND's Fall Tour with Transmit Now and Floral Terrace Kicks off September 9.

Fresh off their successful 3-week stint on this summer's Vans Warped Tour, Boston-area rockers Westland announced a string of upcoming tour dates beginning September 9, 2011. The tour is presented by innovative rock magazine Substream Music Press (http://www.substreammusicpress.com).

Transmit Now will be joining Westland for the first month of shows, and Floral Terrace joins the tour on October 14.

Westland is using their time before the tour begins to record several new songs in the studio with producer Rob Freeman (Hit the Lights, Hidden in Plain View). The songs are the beginnings of their follow-up to Don't Take It Personal, which has sold over 18,000 copies without a record label.

The band also posted an acoustic track called "Dear Keely" for free download on their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/westlandmusic).

This spring, the band released the music video for "I'll Pray for You," which premiered on music tastemaker Buzznet.com, and has also appeared in Macy's, Foot Locker, Champs, and Journeys stores nationwide.

You can view the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGbn3Mum2NQ&hd=1

Westland is Aaron Bonus (vocals), Jon Cornelius (guitar), Matt Perrault (guitar), Jeff Motekaitis (bass), and Nate Harvey (drums).

Westland w/ Transmit Now:
September 9 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbit's
September 10 - Atlanta, GA @ Five Spot
September 11 - Columbia, SC @ House 5 Points
September 12 - Raleigh, NC @ Deep South
September 15 - Toms River, NJ @ East Dover Firehouse
September 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ Legendary Dobbs
September 17 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Club Relevant
September 18 - Albany, NY @ Bogies
September 19 - Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
September 20 - New York, NY @ Sullivan Hall
September 21 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
September 24 - Agawam, MA @ Six Flags New England (w/o Transmit Now)
September 26 - Portland, ME @ Deering Grange
September 30 - Cleveland, OH @ Roc Bar
October 1 - Racine, WI @ McAullife's
October 5 - Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter
October 7 - Fairfax, VA @ Firehouse
October 8 - Big Stone Gap, VA @ Edge
October 9 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern

Westland w/ Floral Terrace:
October 14 - Nyack, NY @ Nyack Village Theater
October 20 - Cambridge, ON @ 515 Concert Club
October 21 - St. Catharines, ON @ L3
October 22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose
October 23 - North Hampton, PA @ Garfield's Bar & Grille
October 28 - Portland, ME @ Deering Grange
October 29 - Cambridge, MA @ All Asia

Westland on the Web:
http://www.facebook.com/westlandmusic
http://www.twitter.com/westlandmusic

READ MORE - WESTLAND's Fall Tour with Transmit Now and Floral Terrace Kicks off September 9.

Roadrunner Records Signs Rush.

Roadrunner Records is pleased to announce a new worldwide partnership with Anthem Records and rock trio Rush. The band will remain on Anthem/Universal Music in Canada only.

 

"We have tremendous respect for Roadrunner Records and what Cees Wessels and Jonas Nachsin have built on a worldwide level. After years of Roadrunner pursuing the band, Tom Lipsky presented a deal that worked and the timing was right. We wanted to be at a label focused on the rock genre -- and that's Roadrunner," said Ray Danniels, manager of Rush.

 

"In another life I worked with Rush and their great management team more than 30 years ago and to have Rush finally on the Roadrunner label is a dream come true. I am grateful for Ray Danniels' confidence in this new partnership," said Cees Wessels, Roadrunner Records Chairman.

 

"Rush has a tradition of excellence and independence, both in the studio and on the live stage, and they remain as prolific today as at any point in their career. We are excited to be their label partners," said Tom Lipsky, President of Lipsky Music, LLC, who brokered the significant deal for Roadrunner.

 

The first release from Rush through this deal will be various live configurations recorded during their highly successful Time Machine tour that wrapped earlier this summer. Details of the release will be revealed in the coming weeks.

 

About Rush: 
With more than 40 million records sold worldwide and countless sold-out tours, Rush -- Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart -- is not only one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, but remains one of the most popular. The RIAA has certified Rush for the third most consecutive gold/platinum studio albums by a rock band, topped only by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Rush's vast catalog includes such classics as 1974's self-titled debut, 1976's "2112," 1981's "Moving Pictures," 1996's "Test For Echo," and 2002's "Vapor Trails." Rush's most recent studio album, 2007's "Snakes & Arrows," debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, marking the band's highest chart debut since 1993, as well as their eleventh top 10 album in the U.S. Their 20^th studio album, titled "Clockwork Angels," is due in 2012.

 

In addition to their commercial success, Rush has also been recognized with a number of Juno Awards and multiple Grammy nominations, including one for the acclaimed documentaryRush: Beyond The Lighted Stage at this year's gala event. Enjoying a recent pop culture renaissance, Rush made a rare television appearance -- their first in over 30 years -- on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" and a memorable cameo in the film I Love You, Man. A career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature summed up the renowned rock trio's continuing artistic vitality by observing, "It's true that Rush doesn't mean today what it did in '76 or even '96. It may mean more." For more information about Rush, visit: www.rush.com.

 

About Roadrunner Records: 
Originally founded in 1980 in the Netherlands, Roadrunner Records earned its place as one of the most prominent international independent record labels. Established primarily as a hard rock label, Roadrunner now boasts depth and variety in its artists. The label has experienced unprecedented success with multi-platinum artists Nickelback and Slipknot, platinum Theory of a Deadman, gold-certified Stone Sour and Killswitch Engage, as well as modern heavy hitters Korn, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Trivium and Opeth. Roadrunner's current roster also includes Lenny Kravitz (via a partnership with Atlantic Records), plus diverse acts such as up and comers Young The Giant, The Parlor Mob, Black Stone Cherry and Airbourne. Loud & Proud Records, a label joint-venture with Roadrunner, is home to established rock acts including Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Steve Miller Band and KISS (Europe and select territories). The Roadrunner catalog includes now-classic albums from seminal artists such as Type O Negative, Sepultura and King Diamond. For more information about Roadrunner, visit: www.roadrunnerrecords.com.

READ MORE - Roadrunner Records Signs Rush.

Swedish Duo Korallreven Release Mixtape Featuring Britney Spears, Ciara and More

Swedish electro-pop duo Korallreven have revealed the details and track listing for their debut full-length, An Album By Korallreven, to be released on Acéphale on November 15. The duo are celebrating the album's forthcoming release with a mixtape entitled A Dream Within A Dream, featuring Britney Spears, Ciara, and more. Download their remix of Britney Spears' VMA-winning single, "Till the World Ends." (mp3 available to post)
More ambitious than their previous mixes, the pair revisit and remix some of their favorite songs from the past year. The result is not a farewell to summer, more of a wistful glance over the shoulder. The mix is available for download here and the individual tracks can be found at http://acephalerecords.com/ADreamWithinADream.

Korallreven came together after Marcus Joons returned from an extended trip to Samoa where he found inspiration in the local Catholic choirs. Mesmerized by the beauty of the South Pacific and the exhilaration of travel, he shared his newfound passion with Daniel Tjäder (also of The Radio Dept) and a partnership was born. The group take a blissful journey through influences as far flung as southern rap, dreampop, reggae, and minimal techno, among many others. Joining Korallreven on this debut are a host of collaborators including Victoria Bergsman (Taken By Trees, The Concretes) and Julianna Barwick. An Album By Korallreven wistfully yearns for summer days. As our days shorten and the cold sets in, take it from the Swedes: nothing quells the stirring for warmer months quite like the brightness of a sincere pop song.


An Album By Korallreven Tracklisting:

1. As Young As Yesterday
2. Sa Sa Samoa
3. The Truest Faith
4. Keep Your Eyes Shut
5. Loved-Up
6. Comin' Closer
7. Pago Pago
8. Honey Mine
9. A Surf On Endorphins
10. Comin' Down

READ MORE - Swedish Duo Korallreven Release Mixtape Featuring Britney Spears, Ciara and More

THE FAIRCHILDS TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “OUR REVOLUTION” ON SEPTEMBER 27

The Fairchilds will release their debut album Our Revolution via independent label Vertusent on September 27, 2011. Singer Cyril Niccolai sees his dreams realized with this release, having detoured from a career in medicine to follow his aspiration to become an international recording artist. Niccolai was raised in Nice, France, and contrary to the vision of his parents, his chosen path has become a case study displaying how perseverance and talent can make dreams come true.

Niccolai is a modern Renaissance man of sorts. An accomplished singer and songwriter, he has spent a decade honing his skills and becoming an artist ready for the world stage. Contemporaneously, he studied medicine and law in university, engages in a variety of sports including tennis, golf and scuba diving, dabbles in still and video photography, has a keen interest in literature and art, and aspires to run the New York City Marathon. For now though, his focus is purely on The Fairchilds. The band’s moniker is a tribute to a Fairchild vintage amp used in tracking the debut recording.

Our Revolution is a compelling compilation of twelve tracks ranging from sing-along rock anthems to haunting ballads. The cumulative evolution of Niccolai’s talents as a writer attests that he has found a voice that is with certainty his own. The first single “Unbreakable” is a poignant commentary on the pursuit of one’s dreams against the odds. The Christmas prior to recording the album, the singer was at his family home in the Cote d’Azur with the album weighing heavily on his mind. He shares, “I was due to start recording in April and while I had enough strong repertoire for the release, I felt something was lacking.” He was on the clock, and with a commitment to appear in a French musical for three months, the creative impetus of this quandary delivered “Unbreakable.” He offers, “The song is a dedication to everyone who is going through a tough phase and the message is ‘Hang in there, don’t lose hope’. “

Niccolai’s perpetual need to challenge himself is deeply rooted. He is the son of successful doctors, and he chose to trade the stability and predictability of a career in medicine for the bohemian lifestyle of a singer and songwriter. Unbeknownst to his parents, he auditioned for the role of the poet Gringoire in the smash French musical Notre Dame de Paris. He landed the role and with that opportunity summoned the courage to tell his parents of his plans for a career change. The news was not well received, but his performance at the premiere left them no doubts about his potential in his new career.

Our Revolution, his musical vision for The Fairchilds, combines bold, winning melodies with a broad perspective of the world and an unerring sense of uplift. Justice, hope and promise are recurring themes on the Jim Lowe (Stereophonics, Foo Fighters) produced album. Niccolai states, “Even when the songs are dark, I always try to give the songs a positive side. I know that the world is in turmoil. The news papers and television relentlessly remind me of this. But my main goal is to distract people from their problems and my music therefore has to be optimistic.” That said nothing should be taken at face value with Niccolai. The title track “Our Revolution” is not an incitement to revolution as the title suggests, but a sly satire on a person’s clichéd perspective of revolution, and the self-serving objectives sought and how without passion and determination all returns quickly to the status quo.

Niccolai will be arriving in America late-September, and calling the U.S. home for the foreseeable future. Home base will be the Southwest, with plans to travel across the country making appearances from coast-to-coast on the radio airwaves, and stages ranging from legendary clubs to vineyards. Day by day, Niccolai will be discovering a personal perspective of the streets where rock began. He offers, “It is a dream come true for me to be able to be present the album in America. I can’t describe how happy, excited, and proud I am, but at the same time it is tremendously intimidating when I think of all my musical heroes who hail from there. I hope Our Revolution connects with the hearts and minds of the American audiences. And above all, I aspire to have fun, dream big, and share the moments music brings with audiences across the U.S.A., followed by The World.”

READ MORE - THE FAIRCHILDS TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM “OUR REVOLUTION” ON SEPTEMBER 27

“Hesher” – A Good Movie with Amazing Performances

I’m not your typical movie critic. I deal more with the music side of things and even then I’m not really a critic as much as I’m a fan who likes to share music. That said I love movies and “Hesher” is a movie I’ve had on my radar since the beginning of the year. I first heard about “Hesher” when it was announced that Metallica’s music would be featured through out the movie as well as Motorhead. Metallica will sell you their music, but they don’t just let anybody have it for free, so this movie must be good.

This movie is definitely good. It follows TJ, a depressed young boy who had just recently lost his mother in a car accident. The movie kicks off with TJ chasing his mother’s car that is being towed to a junk yard. In his mind that is the last thing he has of his mothers. It’ heart breaking. TJ’s dad played by Rainn Wilson (“House of 1000 Corpses” & “Almost Famous”) is even more depressed than TJ, he’s popping pills and just out of it most of the time. They’ve moved in with Grandma whose nearing the end of her life and not all the way there.

TJ is struggling with a way to express himself, he throws a big rock through a window in an abandon house. He wants to cause trouble, but not too much trouble. The problem is Hesher, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“3rd Rock from the Sun” & “Inception”), was squatting there. We are introduced to Hesher when he races out of the house and shows TJ his violent side before taking off in his disgusting van blasting early Metallica music.

TJ is also being violently picked on at school by this bully, which is when we’re introduced to Natalie Portman’s character. She breaks up the one sided fight and instantly TJ falls in love with her. She drives him home, but Hesher is following TJ in his disgusting van. Hesher invites himself in and stays with TJ, his dad and grand mother. TJ and his dad are too depressed to do anything about it and the grandmother, played by the great Piper Laurie (“The Hustler” & “Carrie”), is too out of it to know what’s going on.

At this point I’ll stop telling the story to avoid ruining it for you, but Hesher, in his own, probably indirect way helps TJ and his father deal with and ultimately get over the loss of their mother/wife. This movie is dark, funny and heart warming, but it’s never roll your eyes stupid. The moment in most movies where you start to roll your eyes is so perfect in this movie. It may bring you to tears, but you’ll be laughing at the same time, it’s very real. Hesher’s character never changes. He doesn’t come to some realization that he can’t keep living life the way he’s living it. He’s a punk/metal head who doesn’t care about anybody but himself. But to TJ and his dad, Hesher is a guardian angel, they just don’t realize it…and I don’t think Hesher does either.

This movie is definitely not for everybody. A lot of people will not get this movie. It’s one of those movies that’ll take on a life of its own when it comes out on DVD/Blu Ray, think “The Big Lebowski” or maybe “Clerks.” All are great movies that you either get or don’t get and that is what “Hesher” is. I love this movie. The performances are amazing, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Natalie Portman and Rainn Wilson all play against type. Portman plays a homely looking girl who’s struggling to make ends meet, far from the movie star that she is. Rainn Wilson’s role is so dramatic that you might not even recognize him until the end of the movie. The kid the plays TJ is really the star of the film, without his performance this movie wouldn’t work, and he really delivered. I highly recommend checking this movie out. You may or may not like it, but if you do, it’s the type of movie that’ll stay with you forever.

BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.

READ MORE - “Hesher” – A Good Movie with Amazing Performances

Cal Ecker's Single Available on iTunes.

Singer-songwriter Cal Ecker's first single "I Will Love You" is now available for download on iTunes. The release of the single follows last week's reveal of the song's music video, which was shot in one afternoon in the Malibu surf.  For more information on Cal and his upcoming tour dates visit CalEcker.com.

READ MORE - Cal Ecker's Single Available on iTunes.

Graffiti6 Perform Free with 1 Mic, 1 Camera, and 1 Take.

Singer/songwriter Jamie Scott of Britain's Graffiti6, made up of Scott and songwriter/producer TommyD, sat down for a vibrant performance of their single "Free," featuring just 1 mic, 1 camera, and 1 take.
 
Graffiti6 merge pop, psychedelia, R&B, and British Northern Soul for a sound that is as colorful as their name suggests. In fact, their debut album being released in early 2012 will be appropriately titled, Colours.
 
Stay tuned for Graffiti6's EP Free to be released on October 4th. Until then, get to know Graffiti6 better through their official site, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

READ MORE - Graffiti6 Perform Free with 1 Mic, 1 Camera, and 1 Take.

Comedy Central Records Releases T.J. Miller's ‘The Extended Play’ EP CD On September 13th.

Among the fastest-rising comedy stars in the country, T.J. MILLER (Cloverfield, She’s Out Of My League, and Yogi Bear), was named one of the "10 Comics to Watch" by Variety and one of the 12 Rising Stars of Comedy by Entertainment Weekly in 2008 and was included as one of ten comics to watch on Comedy Central’s Hot List in 2009. Comedy Central Records will release T.J. Miller's The Extended Play EP CD on Tuesday, September 13th.

Miller's potential is realized on this amazing hip-hop/pop/folk album and for the first time he’s expressing himself both emotionally and physically through music. With guest stars galore, great beats, and lyrics you’ll be chewing over for months or at least the rest of the evening, this is more than a comedy rap album – it's a life soundtrack you can play loudly in your car. With videos (featuring said star guests) being released in the weeks prior to and through the CD release, the album is being launched in anticipation of Miller's hour special on Comedy Central, which debuts later this year.

Miller will next be seen in The Weinstein Company’s Our Idiot Brother, which was just released on August 26th, opposite an all-star cast led by Paul Rudd. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year to rave reviews, and Miller was singled out by critics for his scene-stealing moments. He also has a role in the upcoming Focus Features comedy, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World opposite Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley, and he recently signed on to Road to Nardo, a comedy which revolves around two roommates who try to save a friend stranded naked in Mexico.



Miller's other film credits include Yogi Bear opposite Dan Akroyd, Justin Timberlake, and Anna Faris, Gulliver's Travels with Jack Black and Jason Segel and Unstoppable alongside Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Additionally, he co-starred in the Paramount comedy She's Out Of My League, where he stole scenes opposite Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve. Miller also voiced the character ‘Tuffnut’ in the hit Oscar-nominated DreamWorks animated film, How To Train Your Dragon alongside Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson and he will reprise his role for the sequel, How To Train Your Dragon 2. Miller also had a role in Universal’s comedy feature, Get Him to the Greek with Russell Brand and Jonah Hill.

Miller first came to audience’s attention in 2008 when he starred in the J.J. Abram’s blockbuster hit, Cloverfield. Soon after, he appeared in Extract opposite Jason Bateman and starred in the ABC comedy series Carpoolers opposite Jerry O’Connell. Miller has also had two short films at Sundance: last year’s short Successful Alcoholics in which he wrote and starred in (later called “hilarious” by The New York Times); and this year’s I'm Having a Difficult Time Killing My Parents, which he also stars in and wrote.

Miller is currently crisscrossing the country performing his critically acclaimed stand-up act. Whenever available, he performs with his sketch comedy group Heavy Weight, with Brady Novak, Mark Raterman, and Nick Vatterott. Miller hails from Denver, Colorado, and toured with Second City in Chicago for almost two years. He also insists on reminding people that he was the Regional Winner of the Sierra Mist Search for the Next Great Comic in 2005.



BYLINE:

Jason Tanamor is the Editor of Zoiks! Online. He is also the author of the novels, "Hello Lesbian!" and "Anonymous." Email Jason at jason@zoiksonline.com.

READ MORE - Comedy Central Records Releases T.J. Miller's ‘The Extended Play’ EP CD On September 13th.

A Review of Gabe Dixon’s ‘One Spark.’

Gabe Dixon's "One Spark" has a little Five for Fighting and Billy Joel in it. The "one spark" actually consists of a few potential hit songs for this contemporary pop album. The songs, "Strike," "My Favorite" and "I Can See You Shine," may bring Dixon to the top of the charts, but for the most part, "One Spark," stays consistently middle of the road throughout the album.

 

Dixon had the opportunity to get his name out when he was asked by music legend Paul McCartney to be his keyboardist on a previous tour but the singer/pianist declined the invitation to release the album, "On a Rolling Ball." Who knows what would have come out of this relationship with the former Beatle and how it would have affected "One Spark."

 

 

 

"One Spark" is a decent album; it's just not one I would listen to over and over. I mentioned Five for Fighting and Billy Joel, and with respect to both these comparisons, it was merely to give people an idea of what to expect.

 

Five for Fighting is a fantastic pop effort and Billy Joel is, well, Billy Joel. Dixon offers nice background music but I don't expect superstardom to come out of this album. What I do expect is a nice living for Gabe Dixon doing what he loves doing – playing music.

 

 

BYLINE:

Jason Tanamor is the Editor of Zoiks! Online. He is also the author of the novels, "Hello Lesbian!" and "Anonymous." Email Jason at jason@zoiksonline.com.

READ MORE - A Review of Gabe Dixon’s ‘One Spark.’

Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play The Blues.

New York City's premier jazz venue got the blues last April when Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton performed together in Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center for two sold-out shows dedicated to vintage blues. The extraordinary collaboration, billed as Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues, paired these musical virtuosos with members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as they brought to life a repertoire of songs selected by Clapton and arranged by Marsalis.
 
Reprise Records captures the magic of these unprecedented shows from earlier this year on CD and as a CD/DVD combo that both feature selections taken from the two public concerts (April 8-9), as well a special performance for Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual gala (April 7). WYNTON MARSALIS & ERIC CLAPTON PLAY THE BLUES - LIVE FROM JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER will be available September 13 at physical and digital retail outlets for suggested list prices of $18.98 (CD), $24.98 (CD/DVD) and $9.99 (digital; audio only). The DVD will also feature a bonus performance of the classic "Stagger Lee" from legendary bluesman Taj Mahal's opening solo set for these special shows.
 
Marsalis, Artistic Director  of Jazz at Lincoln Center and nine-time Grammy® Award winner, writes about his collaboration with Clapton, a 19-time Grammy recipient, in the album's liner notes: "...we wanted these concerts to sound like people playing music they know and love, not like a project."
 
To help them achieve that level of devotion, Marsalis and Clapton were joined on stage by Dan Nimmer (piano), Carlos Henriquez (bass), Ali Jackson (drums), Marcus Printup (trumpet), Victor Goines (clarinet), Chris Crenshaw (trombone, vocals), Don Vappie (banjo) and Clapton's longtime keyboardist/sideman Chris Stainton. Marsalis says the group combined the sound of an early blues jump-band with the sound of New Orleans jazz to accommodate the integration of guitar/trumpet lead, a combination that gave the musicians the latitude to play different grooves, from the Delta to the Caribbean and beyond.
 
The band nimbly navigated a diverse set list that touched on different styles, from the four-on-the-floor swing of Louis Armstrong's "Ice Cream" and the southern slow-drag of W.C. Handy's "Joe Turner's Blues" to the traveling blues of "Joliet Bound" and the boogie-woogie jump of "Kidman Blues." After opening the shows with his solo set, Mahal returned to join the band on "Corrine, Corrina" and the New Orleans funeral standard "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."
 
The one song not selected by Clapton for the show was his own "Layla," which was requested by bassist Henriquez and arranged as a Crescent City dirge to tremendous results. On his review of the performance, David Fricke of Rolling Stone wrote: "In the [song's] instrumental break, Clapton hit a series of stabbing licks lightly crusted with distortion, followed by Marsalis' slow parade of clean hurting peals – a moving dialogue in lovesickness and blues routes."

READ MORE - Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play The Blues.

Alexandra Stan’s Mr. Saxobeat Continues Takeover.

Romanian-born, Alexandra Stan, is continuing her U.S. takeover with the hit single "Mr. Saxobeat." The single has already spent the last 8 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Dance Airplay chart and is now exploding on Top 40 radio. With more than 135 million total views on Youtube, Alexandra's "Mr. Saxobeat" video is without a doubt one of the biggest hits of 2011.

Alexandra's much-anticipated debut album, Saxobeats, will be released this fall via Ultra Records. In the meantime, be sure to pick up "Mr. Saxobeat" on iTunes and check out Alexandra's Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

READ MORE - Alexandra Stan’s Mr. Saxobeat Continues Takeover.

Flo Rida Has a ‘Good Feeling.’

Poe Boy/Atlantic recording artist Flo Rida is back with his new single, "Good Feeling," which is available at all online retailers this week. Listen to "Good Feeling" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ooeJfckok. The Dr. Luke-produced single comes after the worldwide success of his most recent singles, "Club Can't Handle Me (feat. David Guetta)," "Who Dat Girl (feat. Akon)" and "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)." "Club Can't Handle Me" has sold nearly 4.5 million singles to date worldwide.

 

Adding to all this, this summer saw the Miami native teaming up with his "Club Can't Handle Me" collaborator, David Guetta once again to lend his infectious rhymes to one of the biggest songs of the summer, "Where Them Girls At (feat. Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj)," which is rapidly approaching platinum status. What's more, Flo Rida will hit the stage with both David Guetta and Nicki Minaj live tomorrow night on NBC's "America's Got Talent," performing the smash hit (check local listings).

 

Flo Rida is one of the most recognizable international artists today, having toured nearly every continent. The Miami-based rapper burst onto the scene in 2007 with his record-breaking hit "Low (feat. T-Pain)" from his debut album, "MAIL ON SUNDAY." The single has gone on to become one of the most successful digital singles of the past decade, with sales exceeding 11 million downloads worldwide, making its way into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008, for the best selling download in the United States. Additionally, the single remained at #1 for 10 consecutive weeks on the Billboard "Hot 100" chart in 2008.

 

In 2009, Flo Rida once again made history with his hit single, "Right Round," when it became the highest-selling one-week digital single with more than 636,000 downloads sold in its debut week. In addition, "Right Round," from the rapper's album "R.O.O.T.S.," sold 1 million downloads in its first two weeks, making it one of the fastest-selling singles ever. Globally, "Right Round" has sold nearly 12 million singles to date. Combined, Flo Rida has sold an astonishing 40 million singles worldwide with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

 

For more information and up-to-the-minute news, visit www.officialflo.com.

 

READ MORE - Flo Rida Has a ‘Good Feeling.’

BLITZEN TRAPPER RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SONG “LOVE THE WAY YOU WALK AWAY”

In support of their upcoming album American Goldwing, out September 13th on Sub Pop Records, Blitzen Trapper is excited to give fans a sneak peak by streaming their new album on Paste Magazine. Listen here:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2011/08/album-stream-blitzen-trapper---american-goldwing.html

Praised by The New York Times for flirting "with fuzz-tone riffs and proto-psychedelic Southern rock, diversifying a 1970s fixation" American Goldwing is "stubbornly engaging, filled with characters who drink and regret it, and struggle to understand their own decisions. Tucked amid the pastiche are good laments like [songs] 'Taking It Easy Too Long,' a rueful self-evaluation, and 'Love The Way You Walk Away,' a brokenhearted shrug."

Watch the brand new video for Love The Way You Walk Away here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UK2nIsflQA

Beginning October 7th in Petaluma, CA, Blitzen Trapper will embark on a six-week North America co-headlining tour with Dawes. Tour dates below.

Under The Radar raves, "Blitzen Trapper's gnarled musical roots are so diverse and far-reaching that when they make a 'back to their roots' album such as American Goldwing it's not a retread of past glories. Instead, [American Goldwing] is another delightful tinkering with the dusty engine of Americana music." Guitar World adds "accessible and a melodic take on folk and country ... [American Goldwing] sees Blitzen Trapper expanding their sound and subject matter, exploring American history and the bewildering nature of relationships."

www.blitzentrapper.net

www.facebook.com/blitzentrapper

http://twitter.com/blitzentrapper

TOUR DATES (more to be announced shortly):

With Dawes:

October 7th Mystic Theatre Petaluma, CA

October 8th SoHo Santa Barbara, CA

October 9th Belly Up Solana Beach, CA

October 10th Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

October 13th Club Dada Dallas, TX

October 14th Utopia Fest Utopia, TX

October 15th Manship Theatre Baton Rouge, LA

October 18th Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA

October 19th Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN

October 20th Headliner's Louisville, KY

October 21st Orange Peel Asheville, NC

October 22nd Cat's Cradle Chapel Hill, NC

October 24th The Black Cat Washington, DC

October 26th Webster Hall New York, NY

October 27th The TLA Philadelphia, PA

October 28th Royale Boston, MA

October 30th Opera House Toronto, ON

November 1st Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH

November 2nd Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI

November 3rd The Metro Chicago, IL

November 4th First Ave Minneapolis, MN

November 7th Fox Theatre Boulder, CO

November 11th The Neptune Seattle, WA

November 13th McDonald Theatre Eugene, OR

November 15th The Fillmore San Francisco, CA

READ MORE - BLITZEN TRAPPER RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SONG “LOVE THE WAY YOU WALK AWAY”