SLASH set to be honored with the Les Paul Award at the 30th annual NAMM TEC Awards

We are getting closer and closer to that special time of year…. NO, not the holidays! I am talking about the annual Winter NAMM Convention, otherwise known as the Disneyland for musicians.  Music Junkie Press will be covering the convention and we look forward to bringing you live coverage of new products, artist appearances, music news as well as coverage of the TEC Awards show.

This year will be the 30th NAMM TEC Awards and it will be an amazing one. Legendary musician /songwriter/guitarist, SLASH will be honored with the Les Paul Award. “The Les Paul Award named for the revolutionary inventor and esteemed musician, honors individuals or institutions that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of audio and music technology. Instituted in 1991, the honor has been granted to luminaries including Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, and Peter Gabriel.”

SLASH has not only achieved success with album sales over 100 million copies, won a Grammy Award, seven nominations and we can’t forget the recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. His infamous solos from Guns n Roses songs were the inspiration to many young guitar players as they aspired to be as great a guitarist. His work in Velvet Revolver brought on a whole new group of fans and then his solo work with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, has once again brought him to the forefront of rock n roll. Most recently, with his recent release of World On Fire he has truly set the world on fire with and grabbed everyone’s attention. Check out coverage of their recent performance at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco here.

The TEC Awards will also feature comedian Sinbad as the host and the event will be held on Saturday, January 24th and we will make sure to bring you a recap of the night.

~ Marisol

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9200 members from around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visitwww.nammfoundation.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Information & Links: 

• Website: http://slashonline.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/slash
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Slash
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/slash
• iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/world-on-fire-feat.-myles/id892523527

Like Monroe debuts new single, Roswell and catch them out on tour with Eyes Set To Kill

Like Monroe are debuting their second single, Roswell off their upcoming album, Things We Think, But Never Speak which is set for an October 14 release via Good Fight/Entertainment One Music. Check out the new song here:

 

You can purchase the song on iTunes here. The band is ready to set out on the Little Liar Tour with Eyes Set To Kill which starts on October 4th in Beckley, WV. Check the tour dates below and see if they will be coming to a venue near you:

	Oct 04	Muncheezw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Beckley, WV
	Oct 06	Shakasw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Virginia Beach, VA
	Oct 07	Ziggy’s By The Seaw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Wilmington, NC
	Oct 08	Amos Southendw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Charlotte, NC
	Oct 09	The Masqueradew/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Atlanta, GA
	Oct 10	Bombshells Orlandow/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Orlando, FL
	Oct 11	State Theaterw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	St Petersburg, FL
	Oct 12	Atmospherew/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Tallahassee, FL
	Oct 13	Jack Rabbitsw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Jacksonville, FL
	Oct 14	Club LAw/ Scare Don’t Fear…	Destin, FL
	Oct 15	Back To Backw/ Eyes Set to Kill…	Bossier City, LA

 

Just last year we brought you an interview with lead singer Ty Johnson of Like Monroe and you can read that interview here. Well, we also caught up with guitarist, Chris Deckard at NAMM 2014 at one of Like Monroe’s sponsors; Orange Amp. We are pleased to bring you that interview here:

 

We are very excited for the new music and can’t wait to catch Like Monroe out on tour this year. Their energy and passion truly will come out when they hit that stage!!

So make sure to check them out and follow them at all their new social media sites.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/likemonroeband
• Twitter: www.twitter/likemonroeband
• Twitter for Chris: www.twitter.com/ChrisLikeMonroe 
• Instagram:  www.instagram/com/likemonroeband
• Like Monroe Merch: www.shopbenchmark.com/likemonroe

Snakebite will set sail and perform on this year’s Kiss Kruise!

Earlier this year we brought you an interview with the amazingly talented Brev Sullivan (Rock of Ages). In case you missed it, make sure to check it out here. Interview with Brev Sullivan.  Brev has been quite busy, with the release of his contemporary jazz guitar CD, Brand New Day (available on iTunes here) and performing with his bands. His band, Snakebite are about to set sail next month for the 4th KISS KRUISE which will sail to the Great Stirrup Cay on October 31st to November 4, 2014.   The headliners of the cruise feature Kiss, Cheap Trick, Robin Zander’s, and Pat Travers. Snakebite will be performing on the Soundcheck Stage and will deliver some old school Original Heavy Vinyl Rock definitely proving that Rock n Roll is alive and thriving!

Snakebite are also set to release their new CD, Feel the Bite in early October. Just in time for you to be singing along with them on the Kiss Kruise! Make sure to visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.  Make sure to also pick up Brev’s CD, Brand New Day on Itunes or CDBaby.

Brev Sullivan at NAMM 2014

 

Snakebite features:

• Tim Brown (McBrain Damage): lead vox
• Brev Sullivan (Rock of Ages): guitars, vox
• Patrick Johansson (Yngwie/WASP/Lynch Mob): drums
• Crystalline Entity (Brubaker Artist): bass, background vox

Get ready for their new CD Feel the Bite and if you are in the Ft. Lauderdale area, don’t miss their show this Saturday on September 27th at Cheers, Food and Spirits. Visit their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/Snakebiterockband.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

• Website: http://www.snakebiterockband.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Snakebiterockband
• Website: http://brevsullivan.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brevrockguitar

Emperors and Elephants release music video for new song, Man of God

We recently told you about a great rock band from Chicago, Emperors and Elephants, who we ran into earlier this year at NAMM 2014. Well, they have just released a new music video for their song, Man of God which is off their debut album, Devil in the Lake.  Check out the video here:

This is the second single of their new album and Emperors and Elephants are currently out on tour in support of Devil in the Lake which is out on Pavement Entertainment. In case you haven’t picked it up yet, head over to Itunes here. Check out their upcoming tour dates:

• Fri 8/1 – Afterlife Lounge-Algona Iowa – with Surrender The Fall
• Sat 8/2 – InkSpot Block Party – Lincoln County Fairgrounds,MO
• Thu 8/7  – Oddbody’s Music Room – Dayton, OH – with TANTRIC
• Fri 8/8 – Smith’s Downtown – Mishawaka, IN – with TANTRIC
• Sun 8/10 – Zero Tolerance – Lincoln, IL – with TANTRIC
• Wed 8/13 – Erie, PA- TBA – with TANTRIC
• Fri 8/15 – Hard Rock Café – Pittsburgh, PA – with TANTRIC
• Sat 8/16 – Uli’s Haus of Rock- Lansing MI – with SXX
• Fri 8/22 – Sickies Garage – Fargo, ND – with  Psychostick/TANTRIC
• Sat 8/23- Bismarck, ND Missouri Valley Fair Grounds
• Sun 8/24 – DK’s Lounge – Williston, ND – with  Psychostick/TANTRIC
• Mon 8/25 – O’Riginal Bar – Minot, ND – with  Psychostick/TANTRIC
• Wed 8/27 – The District – Sioux Falls, SD – with TANTRIC
• Thu 8/28 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI – with TANTRIC
• Fri 8/29 – Another Hall In The Wall – Steger, IL- with TANTRIC
• Fri 9/5 –  Gas Lite Tavern -Ellsworth, WI with Matrakis
• Sat 9/6 – Busters – Mankato Minn- with Matrakis, Cold Kingdom
• Sat 9/20– The Rail Club -Fort Worth Texas -with Great White

Here is our repost of our quick interview with Jason Meudt and Randy Cooper at NAMM 2014:

 

Band Members:

• Jesse Andrews : Vocals
• Jason Meudt : drums
• Jeph Stiph :Guitars
• Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper: Guitars
• Ron “Stoppable” Vanders : Bass

Check the tour dates and see if they are coming to a city near you! Emperors and Elephants are here to deliver what we all  need more of; pure rock with heavy guitars and penetrating vocals built on a sold rock foundation delivering BAD ASS MUSIC!

~ Marisol

Information & Links: 

• Website: www.emperorsandelephants.com
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/EmperorElephant
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmperorsandElephants
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/EmperorsAndElephants
• Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/devil-in-the-lake/id761235255

Pistol Day Parade exceed all my expectations as they open for Ted Nugent on the Shut Up and Jam Tour!

We recently told you about the spectacular set that Ted Nugent put on for his Shut Up & Jam Tour this past weekend in Sunday. Now when you have such a excellent showman as Ted performing, not just any opening rock band will do. You need to have one that delivers an intense set and at 150% power overload.  Ted Nugent surely picked out the perfect band to open for him. One of our favorite rock bands, Pistol Day Parade was chosen for the opening slot on the tour.

We made it out to the July 13th show at the Grove in Anaheim. Let me tell you, we were exhausted after the 7-1/2 hour drive but as soon as we made it to the venue, our spirits and energy picked right up. We had the opportunity to chat with Pistol Day Parade before their set. We are pleased to bring you that interview here:

Shortly after our interview the guys made it to the stage and they kicked off the set with high energy. I have been excited to finally get to see them perform but they truly exceeded my expectations and just delivered an over the top set.The gruffy and sultry vocals of Fuller are captivating and powerful. He so easily draws out emotion as he sings and the crowd quickly feed off this, raising the energy even more. Jason on the bass makes it look so easy as he is laying down some rockin bass lines. Rob  and Guido come at you with energetic guitar riffs from opposite sides of the stage and treat you to some great distorted rockin guitar licks and smoking solos. The amazingly talented young drummer Jason will have you in awe as he throws down his ferocious beats while always 100% on tempo. For a warm up band, together these five, set the stage on fire with their charisma and invigorate the audience.

A couple of highlights from their set are when Pistol Day Parade performed an incredible cover of the Phil Collins’ hit, In The Air Tonight. It was spectacular and I can’t wait to add it to our new list of the Top 25 Cover/Remake Songs that you have to know.  Another highlight was when they performed their new single, Rockstar’s Girlfriend. That song is one of my favorites from their new album, “Burn” which was released via Goomba Records and was produced by both Tim Patalan (Sponge, Lovedrum) and Chuck Alkazian. Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Trust Company, Soundgarden) of Pearl Sound Studios  hard working rockers bleed out the passion through their music and they made sure that everyone in that venue, left knowing who Pistol Day Parade was. I would highly recommend you make sure to check them out when they come through your town.  Check out the dates below:

Check out a slideshow of photos by our Rockin Ryan of their set:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Make sure to head over and pick up your copy of BURN today from Itunes or your local music retailer. Also contact your local radio station and ask them to add Rockstar’s Girlfriend to their rotation and lastly, get yourself to a show to rock out live to them!  We need everyone to hear the straight up rock and roll that Pistol Day Parade provides.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

• Website: www.pistoldayparade.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDPDETROIT
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/pdpdetroit
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuiuqR7RIj9tpraMhRGqiA
• Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/burn/id693048769
• Goomba Music: http://store.goombaartists.com/cds/pistol-day-parade-burn-cd

Don’t miss Pistol Day Parade out on tour with Ted Nugent for the Shut Up & Jam Tour

One of our favorite rock bands, Pistol Day Parade will be out on tour with Ted Nugent for his Shut Up & Jam Tour. These guys are definitely going to bring a bad ass rock set to this tour. Their CD “Burn” which was released via Goomba Records and produced by Tim Patalan (Sponge, Lovedrum) is one of my favorites and I love their song, Rockstar’s Girlfriend. Hailing from Detroit are these hard working rockers who bleed out the passion through their music. Check out the dates below:

 

We are excited for the Anaheim tour date since we will be heading out there to cover the show. We will see if we can bring you an interview with them as well.  At NAMM this year we ran into into their bassist, Jason Lollio. Pistol Day Parade and were able to snag him for a question or two. Check it out here:

 

Make sure to head over and pick up your copy today from Goomba Music Store, Itunes or your local music retailer. You are going to have this one on replay for a while!  When you take a listen you can’t help but be captivated by the vocals of Fuller. Rob Banks and Guido come at you with energetic guitar riffs and treat you to some great distorted rockin guitar licks.  Jason Lollio lays down some rockin bass and teenager Jason Hartless Jr. kills it on the drums. Together these guys deliver KICK ASS ROCK N ROLL! Give them a listen and you will know just what I mean. I will leave you with the video for my fave song, Rockstar’s Girlfriend.

~ Marisol

 

Information & Links:

• Website: www.pistoldayparade.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PDPDETROIT
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/pdpdetroit
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuiuqR7RIj9tpraMhRGqiA
• Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/burn/id693048769
• Goomba Music: http://store.goombaartists.com/cds/pistol-day-parade-burn-cd

State Line Empire ROCKS the DNA Lounge opening for Skid Row

 

Last night we headed to the DNA Lounge in San Francisco to see State Line Empire as they were opening for Skid Row. The place was packed and The Devil in California opened the night with a solid set and then came State Line Empire for a ROCKIN set, and up next was Black Star Riders (Thin Lizzy) and headliner Skid Row closed out the night with a bang!

 

State Line Empire sounded great as they started off the set with a crowd favorite, Load Em Up. One thing is for sure, this band is never short on energy and they have an infectious rock vibe that spread through the crowd. If anyone arrived not knowing who State Line Empire were, they left that night being a devoted fan. They finished their set with another one of my favorites, Drive Me. Their set list for the night was:

• Load em up
• Into Pieces
• Your Someone Else’s Problem Now
• Know My Name
• Lock & Load
• Cross That Line
• Raise Your Sins
• Break Me Down
• Drive Me

Check out the slide show of photos by Rockin Ryan from their set:

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In case you missed the show, you can catch State Line Empire this Saturday at the Whisky-A-GoGo as they will be opening once more for Skid Row. We saw State Line Empire perform earlier this year at the Whisky for one of their 50th Anniversary shows along with Fault Line, Jetboy and Faster Pussycat. They were awesome and the sound system at the Whisky has been upgraded and just as in January, expect to hear a fantastic show. Check out their performance of Drive Me here:

 

You can check out a tribute video that Rockin Ryan put together for State Line Empire that includes footage and photos from their last shows.

 

If you don’t have it yet, make sure to pick up their  new EP “Raise Your Sins”, available on Itunes.  They just have everything you are looking for in a rock and roll band with a hint of metal strewn right in. You can read more about their EP review we did in September here.  Their new EP is filled with rockin hits and it is a bit heavier but also just enough old school touches to keep everyone happy. Visit their social media sites and stay up to date so you won’t miss any State Line Empire news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

• Website:  www.statelineempire.com 
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/StateLineEmpire
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/statelineempire
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/state_line_empire/
• Itunes:  itunes.apple.com/us/album/raise-your-sins-ep/id705366527

Magic was in the air for the stellar set by Love and a .38 at the Troubadour

To continue our coverage from Diamond Lane‘s CD Release Party from Saturday night….. As I mentioned it was a night full of awesome music. We told you earlier about The Book of Curtis and Diamond Lane, now let us tell you about another highlight of the evening; Love and a .38. There must have been some magic in the air because I could never imagine Love and a .38 to top their last performance that I saw of theirs back in March at the Troubadour. Well, they certainly did just that. It was a set filled with some old Love and a .38 tricks as well as some new ones up their sleeves. They came out full 150% adrenaline running through their veins and they had one thing on their mind…. To blow our minds with their show.

Ryan was as charismatic as ever and had the crowd under his rock and roll spell with his powerful vocals and seductive style. At one moment, I felt like Ryan was channeling Jim Morrison and was as engaging as a young Robert Plant. It was truly magical. Domo was a madman as he yielding out his thundering riffs and sweet solos as he jumped up on the customized light box.  Justin was charged up and ready to go as he was having his way with Aurora (his bass) and he was lit up on his lightbox. He was fierce as he pounced across the stage with the prowess like a panther as he surveyed the crowd. Danny on drums was like a powerhouse of energy as he pounded out his drums and crashing the cymbals, while still putting on a show with his sticks. These gives were on fire and another highlight was when Ryan and Justin came down and joined the crowd as they didn’t miss a beat of their playing/singing. They also treated us to their FANTASTIC cover of Sunglasses at Night by Corey Hart.   Check out the slide show of Rockin Ryan’s photos here:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Love and a .38 are currently working on their new album and this was going to be the last show for a while. They really sent off us off begging for more as we anxiously await their new album later this year and we can’t wait until the next time we can catch them live!  Love and a .38 have a very dedicated fan base and they enjoy being actively involved through their social media sites, so go head over, follow them and send them some love.  We will leave you with our interview with  Justin, who ran into at this year’s NAMM Convention as his bass, Aurora was featured at the Hipshot booth. Make sure you read all our coverage on the bands;  The Book of Curtis, Diamond Lane,  Delta Rose and Bad Romantics.

~ Marisol

 

Information & Links:

• Website:  www.loveanda38music.com
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/loveanda.38
• Twitter:  www.twitter.com/loveanda38
• Itunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-and-a-.38/id370951558
• Youtube:  www.youtube.com/loveanda38
• Instagram:  www.instagram.com/loveanda38

Check out Farewell, My Love tribute video for Skip The Memories

Just last month, we brought you our coverage of Farewell, My Love as they stopped into San Francisco for the We Own The Night Tour. They put on a kick ass full energy show at the “Above” DNA Lounge. You can check out our photos, videos  and full coverage here.

To get you ready for the show, check out a tribute video made by Rockin Ryan which includes footage from their San Francisco set:

 

Make sure to check out the tour dates for their upcoming tour, Rock and Rebel Tour with Jamies Elsewhere, Incredible’ me and lionfight and see if they are coming to a venue near you.

 

You can check out our slide show of photographs by Rockin Ryan from their set here:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We will definitely be there and encourage you to pick up your tickets early and not miss the show! We will see if we can bring you an interview and a feature on them when they come to Santa Rosa on June 12th! Great thing is, that the venue is about a couple miles from us and we will see if we can get Farewell, My Love to stop in at Music Junkie Press.  You definitely don’t want to miss them when they come to a venue in your town. Full energy, spectacular stage presence and killer music is always a guarantee!

Make sure to head over to Itunes here and pick up your copy of “Gold Tattoos“. Also visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news.

~ Marisol

Information & Links:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/farewellmyloveofficial
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/farewell_mylove
• Twitter for Ryan Howell: www.Twitter.com/_RyanHowell
• Twitter for Röbby Creasey: www.Twitter.com/RobbyCreasey
• Twitter for Chad Kowal: www.Twitter.com/_ChadKowal
• Twitter for Charlee Conley: www.Twitter.com/CharleeConley
• Twitter for Logan Thayer: www.Twitter.com/LoganThayer
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/farewellmylovevevo
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/farewell_mylove
• Merch: www.standbyrecords.merchnow.com/

Farewell My Love on the We Own The Night stop in San Francisco!

Farewell My Love are just a couple days away from wrapping up their We Own The Night Tour and we caught them as they made there stop in San Francisco.  We have been wanting to see them live for a while now, but the timing and location never did line up until this week. They came to perform at the “Above DNA” stage at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco.  One thing is for sure, they definitely did live up to our expectations, they put on an awesome set!  The stage setup at the Above DNA is very small and space is limited, but that did not stop these five from delivering a 100% energy filled performance.

Farewell, My Love  have the complete package, the kick ass rocker look, charismatic personalities and are damn fine musicians that deliver KILLER ROCK n ROLL! There is no lack of adrenaline flowing through these guys and they bring life and energy to their stage performance.  They put the attention to detail and make sure to give the audience a full rock and roll show which is something lacking from a lot of bands these days. They have an amazingly dedicated fan base that sing along to the songs and know every word! You can’t help but have a good time at a Farewell, My Love concert.

You can check out our slide show of photographs by Rockin Ryan from their set here:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Farewell My Love have just  announced another new tour, The Rock and Rebel Tour. The tour is set for summer and also on the bill is Jamies Elsewhere, Incredible Me and lionfight. Check out the tour dates here:

 

We will definitely be there and encourage you to pick up your tickets early and not miss the show! We will see if we can bring you an interview and a feature on them when they come to Santa Rosa on June 12th! Great thing is, that the venue is about a couple miles from us and we will see if we can get Farewell, My Love to stop in at Music Junkie Press.  You definitely don’t want to miss them when they come to a venue in your town. Full energy, spectacular stage presence and killer music is always a guarantee!

In case you missed it, check out our quick interview we did with three of the members, Ryan Howell, Röbby Creasey and Logan Thayer as we met up at the NAMM 2014 Convention in January. This is one band that not only kick ass rockin but are some of the most nicest people in the industry today. You can check out the full video here:

 

Make sure to head over to Itunes here and pick up your copy of “Gold Tattoos“. Also visit their social media sites and stay up to date on their latest news. I will leave you with some videos from their performance at the DNA Lounge!

~ Marisol

 

 

 

 

Information & Links:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/farewellmyloveofficial
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/farewell_mylove
• Twitter for Ryan Howell: www.Twitter.com/_RyanHowell
• Twitter for Röbby Creasey: www.Twitter.com/RobbyCreasey
• Twitter for Chad Kowal: www.Twitter.com/_ChadKowal
• Twitter for Charlee Conley: www.Twitter.com/CharleeConley
• Twitter for Logan Thayer: www.Twitter.com/LoganThayer
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/farewellmylovevevo
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/farewell_mylove
• Merch: www.standbyrecords.merchnow.com/