Holiday Q and A Special, Part 1

It is that time again, when you deck the halls, pull out the decorations, pour some Eggnog and sing Holiday songs. It is a time to get nostalgic and remember the past holidays.  How about others? Do you ever wonder what Justin Emord of Love & .38’s oddest gift was or how about Josie Steven’s favorite ornaments? Well we are pleased to bring you Part 1 of our Holiday Q & A Special where we asked various musician and artists the same questions.  In Part 1 we are pleased to feature the following:

• Justin Emord – Love and a.38, Bassist
• Josie Stevens – Designer, TV Personality
• Shane Beecher – Tempting Fate, Guitarist
• Neal Middleton – Royal Bliss, Singer
• Jessie Covets – Violet, Lead Singer/Guitarist
• Tavis Stanley – Art of Dying, Guitarist
• Jeff George – Harlot, Guitarist
• Sydney Schmier – Stereo Jane, Singer

Justin Emord

Love and a .38,Bassist

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

It’s not an odd gift exactly but an odd process. In high school, I had to go on a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood to find my present which turned out to be a guitar wrapped in a box in a tree outside of the house that I had to climb to get.

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

Favorite holiday food is an old Italian dessert called struffoli that is something my grandmother would make and is something I usually still make.

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

A holiday tradition for me which was started 8 years ago with my family in New York was seeing Trans Siberian Orchestra and is now a tradition I carry out here in LA with my friends.

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

Favorite holiday movie would be between Elf and Nightmare Before Christmas, both are movies I enjoy a lot and watch on Christmas day. Being my family is from New York, I love all the jokes and humor pertaining to the city in it and Nightmare Before Christmas, need I say more? It’s one of my all time favorites.

Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration?

My memory is of the miniature artificial Christmas tree my parents would set up for me when I was a kid every year in my room. Nowadays, I set up that same tree with many of the same Disney Ornaments from back then on top of an old bass cabinet I used and line the whole thing in Christmas lights . And of course, add some Halloween flare to the whole set up.

Josie Stevens

Designer,TV Personality

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

A fan once sent a giant pink Hello Kitty “water pipe”, complete with Maribou trim, to my PO box which did surprise me, particularly because I was opening the boxes in my car, which happened to be parked right next to a police car. haha.

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

I have a major sweet tooth so I love all the holiday cakes & cookies!

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

Just enjoying our day with family & friends, good food & opening presents.

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

My favorite holiday movie is probably “Love Actually”. Billy Mack is amazing. haha.

Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration?

Steve & I collect European ornaments when we travel, especially ones of the Krampus

Shane Beecher

Tempting Fate, Guitarist

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

A Barbie doll.  My family wanted to trick me to believe that Santa thought I was a girl.

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

Turkey!

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

Exchanging one gift on Christmas Eve.

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

A Christmas Story is definitely the best holiday movie of all time!

Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration?

My favorite ornament is a tiny black guitar with skulls that was given to me when I first began to play guitar

Neal Middleton

Royal Bliss, Singer

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

Gift? Huh, It would be, well my grandma bought me some underwear, some whitey tighties and on the front of it, it said, My Mighty Minnow and it had a little picture of a fish. I thought this was really random from my Grandma! It was really funny.

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

That is a good one too. Though I love so much food, I always look forward to the mashed potatoes and gravy. I don’t know what it is, but that is it.

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

Oh man, for one, start Christmas after Thanksgiving. We always do it that weekend and we just get together, drink hot chocolate and go pick out a tree, put up all the lights and everything and listen to Christmas music all day long. That is one of my favorite ones.

Jessie Covets

Violet, Lead Singer

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?
A Toliet Stories Book

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

Candy Cane Oreos

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

Eat my Italian grandma’s cooking!

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

Silent Night and The Grinch Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration? The angel at the top of our tree that went missing..

Tavis Stanley

Art of Dying, Guitarist

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

We have a saying in my family “you’re gonna  get a slap in the belly with a wet fish”  I never got one yet though lol

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

Definitely  all the chocolate, i go nuts around xmas with sweets

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

We drive around and look at lights on xmas eve and ooh and aww at everyone’s houses!

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

Favourite movie is elf

Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration?

Yes we have an ornament of a gingerbread man thats actually made of plastic, but when i was like 5 i tried o eat it and it has these huge teeth marks in it still!

Jeff George

Harlot, Guitarist

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

Ha.. Ok, I’m going to give a 2 part answer to this question.

From a family member.. Definitely the box of Kleenex Tissue I received from my Grandma when I was about 10 years old. She said it was something I could really use because whenever we would play games, I would always end up crying. Hahaha.. Now as true as this may be.. she cheated like crazy!!! So for a 10 year old.. that was tough to take!. Luckily for me and for the rest of Christmas day, that box of Kleenex was followed up with a real present.

Now .. part 2.. Oddest gift from a fan. I had an evening with a girl who will not be named and later gave this girl my phone number from a state that also won’t be named. There were a few texts and calls over the next 4 months, but nothing serious. Then about 2 weeks before Xmas, she calls me and I answer and she says “I’m here! At the airport.. I flew in to surprise you for your early xmas present”. Now I had zero info that this was ever going to happen. So being nice I had to pick her up.. Horrible decision!

Without going into detail.. Needless to say.. what ensued was one of the weirdest 5 days of my life. Haha!

What is your favorite Holiday Food Item?

Well.. Ive always been extremely fond of the Jack Daniels or the occasional Wine Slam!

Lately I’ve been heavily into Deviled Egg’s for some reason.. I am Devilish but no idea why these things have consumed me. They will all be nicely laid out on a fancy tray chillin in the fridge and I’ll sneak one here and there throughout the day. Then at dinner time they get served, and of course the tray looks ridiculous haha. Half of them missing.. some turned over and yellow egg smeared everywhere.. One with a bite out of it but the other half still there. I’m fairly confident that my family will be making me my own baby tray of these this year.

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

This is a tough one. The reason being is my family isn’t all centrally located. For instance, I’m in Los Angeles.. My Parents are in the Detroit area.. one of my sisters are in Arkansas.. add in the brother in laws and kids and their families ect and it gets really tough to schedule.. let alone hold traditions. Not to mention tour schedules as well.

But the one tradition in all that craziness is that we all always try to make sure that we are HOME at my parents house on Christmas morning. It may only be for a few hours.. but for those few hours and breakfast and gift opening.. thats Christmas and truly our Christmas tradition.

Do you have a favorite holiday movie or song?

I do. My all time favorite Xmas song has always been Little Drummer Boy. Maybe that is why my first instrument was drums. Still to this day when I hear that song, I immediately think of Christmas and my first drum set that my Grand parents bought me. It was a set of very used drums.. But they were Pearl’s, and thats what Peter Criss from Kiss played.. so to me.. they were the best drums ever made!

Favorite Holiday Movie would have to be Christmas Vacation. Chevy ruled back then!

Do you have a specific memory of a certain ornament or holiday decoration?

Amazing question! Absoloutely! My Mom always made sure that we decorated the tree together as a family when we were kids. Of course this would usually end up with me and my older sister fighting about where certain ornaments went on the tree, especially our signature ornaments! Haha. When we were babies my Mom got us each certain ornaments that were ours and these were the one’s that only we individually could hang. So.. what did I do.. I would hang and hide my sisters ornaments hidden way in the back of the tree or sometimes in the tree haha and again that would culminate in a colossal fight. I’ve also added some Kiss, AC/DC and Ozzy ornaments to the tree over the years, But those original ornaments that now look really old and tattered, because they are old, will always be my favorites and they definitely hold the memories of Christmas past in them.

Ohh.. and Mom if your reading this.. WAIT TILL I GET HOME TO HANG MY ORNAMENTS AND HIDE THEM FROM JEN! Merry Christmas Everyone.. Rock n Roll!

Sydney Schmier

Stereo Jane, Singer

What is the oddest gift you have ever received?

The oddest gift? Mmm. Oh My Gosh, my Grandma, she is hilarious. I don’t think she knew it was weird but it was the funniest thing. She gave us a little bag of old things that she found around her  house. (Music Junkie Press: That is so cute!)  But one of them was, I don’t know what they were called, You know in a lingerie drawer there is a scented little bra looking thing. (Music Junkie Press: Yes, the scented sachet packs!) Ya, that is like the weirdest thing that I ever got.

What is your favorite holiday food?

I eat so much food, I love food, I have no idea. I don’t think I could choose.  I would have to say Turkey, I love turkey.

What is your favorite Holiday family tradition that you still do today?

I love Christmas Eve. We go to my Grandmas that night and do presents and everything.

That is it for Part 1 of our Holiday Q & A, we will bring you a whole new batch of artists and musicians tomorrow.  Stay tuned~

~ Marisol, Rockin’ Ryan, Rachel, Steve, Larry, and Music Junkie Press!

Interview with Neal Middleton of Royal Bliss

Royal Bliss have announced their release date of February 18th, 2014 for their upcoming album, “Chasing The Sun”. These Salt Lake City rockers have been hard at work on this album. Their first single they released, “Cry Sister” has been climbing the active rock chart! You can pick up the new single today on Itunes here.

Royal Bliss has been busy working on their new album,”Chasing the Sun” and the new single, Cry Sister has been getting great airplay. It is an awesome that has me very excited for their album. We had the opportunity to interview vocalist, Neal Middleton once again and we are pleased to present that interview to you here:

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Music Junkie Press: It is good to talk to you once again, Neal! How are you doing?

Neal: A little ill, but hanging in there. It is crazy. It is typical when you are out on tour, you are bound to catch something.

Music Junkie Press: You are getting what must be going around. I hope you feel  better.

Neal: Ya, it sucks being the singer with a cold!

Music Junkie Press:  You guys actually have a show Friday at the iconic Machine Shop to get ready for?

Neal:  Oh ya, can’t wait, we love it there.

Music Junkie Press: Royal Bliss has just released their new single, Cry Sister and it is awesome! I love it. I hear it in the morning on Octane when I am driving and I am so glad it is getting a lot of great airplay.

Neal:  We are excited it is doing so well. It is just launching up the charts so we are extremely happy with the way it has gone. We love the song too.

Music Junkie Press: Cry Sister is going to be on your new album. It is great to see through the powers of Kickstarter and your fans that you are working on your new album, “Chasing the Sun”. I have to tell you, you guys had one of the funniest videos for Kickstarter about your packages!  I am not surprised that you guys reached your goal and surpassed it!

Neal: Ya, that was awesome. That was one of those things where the fans really stepped up and let us know that we are doing the right thing by sticking with it and making music.

Music Junkie Press: Do you have a time frame for the release?

Neal: Yes, it is going to be February 18^th

Music Junkie Press: Great! Where are you recording the album?

Neal:  We are actually recording in Salt Lake with Matt Winegar.

Music Junkie Press: You recorded with him before, right?

Neal: Yes, After the Chaos. It is the first record that we are actually recording in Utah, in almost ten years. So it is nice being able to record here and do it that way.

Music Junkie Press: Are you working on a video for Cry Sister?

Neal: The video should be done here in the next couple weeks for everybody to check out. It is going to look awesome.

Music Junkie Press: That is great! I can’t wait. Now I think it was earlier this week you did a radio spot with Wayland and performed a Guns n Roses Cover. What song did you guys end up playing?

Neal: I used to Love her! It was cool. We  have never really done that with another band and it was a lot of fun.  It was kind of put together at the last minute and we were like, ya, let’s do that!

Music Junkie Press:  The last time we spoke we talked about doing a cover from a completely different genre and you answered, My Way by Frank Sinatra which is one of my absolute favorites. Am I going to have to keep dreaming about that or do you think you might actually do it?

Neal: I really want to do that. I thought about that after the last time we talked and I thought, I really need to make that happen. It is just a long process.

Music Junkie Press: That would be so awesome.  Now, how about with the holiday’s coming up, what is the strangest gift you have ever received.

Neal: Gift? Huh, It would be, well my grandma bought me some underwear, some whitey tighties and on the front of it, it said, My Mighty Minnow and it had a little picture of a fish. I thought this was really random from my Grandma! It was really funny.

Music Junkie Press: That is one to remember! How about your favorite holiday food?

Neal: My favorite holiday food Item? That is a good one too. Though I love so much food, I always look forward to the mashed potatoes and gravy. I don’t know what it is, but that is it.

Music Junkie Press: Now will you be back home for the Holidays?

Neal:  We make it home the day before and we have a big show the day before Thanksgiving at the Depot in Salt Lake, it is our 11^th annual Pre-Thanksgiving Bash. I will be home for the Holidays this year.

Music Junkie Press:  Now, how did that start? The Pre-Thanksigiving Bash, I heard that it will be your 11^th one?

Neal:  There was a club called ?Protocol ? – [indiscernable] back in the day, we really wanted to play there. They gave us a shot on the day before Thanksgiving and realized what a big party day that was. Then it was such a huge show for us, that we were like, ya, we got to do this next year! We just kept doing it. We can’t wait. It is always one of our favorite shows of the year.

Music Junkie Press: That sounds like a great time. What is one of your most favorite holiday traditions that you still like to do today?

Neal: Oh man, for one, start Christmas after Thanksgiving. We always do it that weekend and we just get together, drink hot chocolate and go pick out a tree, put up all the lights and everything and listen to Christmas music all day long. That is one of my favorite ones.

Music Junkie Press: That is so wonderful. It really does get you in the right mood. This year is a short one, right after Thanksgiving, we only have a few more weeks until Christmas.

Neal:  Exactly, my kids are starting to put Christmas stuff already.

Music Junkie Press: With the new album, what stage are you right now for it?

Neal: We got the songs recorded and now we are going through the mixing process while we are out on the road. We got Matt Winegar mixing all the songs. Things should be finalized in the next few weeks.

Music Junkie Press: We are so looking forward to the new album and we can’t wait to catch Royal Bliss out on the road. Lastly, is there anything you would like to share with our audience?

Neal: Basically, thanks for keeping us alive for 16 years, keeping us going, keeping us on the road doing what we love to do. A big Thank You

Music Junkie Press: Thanks so much Neal. We love you guys, will keep spreading the news about Royal Bliss and we hope you feel better soon!

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If you missed our first interview with Neal Middleton from October 2012 you can read it below or check it out here. Make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their tour dates and latest news!

~ Enjoy, Marisol

Royal Bliss Information & Links

Royal Bliss is:

Neal Middleton – Lead Vocal, Guitar
Taylor Richards – Guitars, Vocals
Dwayne Crawford – Bass, Vocals
Jake Smith – Drums, Percussion

• Royal Bliss Website:   www.royalbliss.com
• Royal Bliss Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Twitter:  www.twitter.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoyalBlissWebisodes
• Royal Bliss Merch: www.royalbliss.spinshop.com
• Royal Bliss Itunes:  www.Itunes.com 

 

Royal Bliss set to release new album “Chasing The Sun” February 18th, 2014

Royal Bliss have announced their release date of February 18th, 2014 for their upcoming album, “Chasing The Sun”. These Salt Lake City rockers have been hard at work on this album. Their first single they released, “Cry Sister” has been climbing the active rock chart! You can pick up the new single today on Itunes here.

I can’t wait to hear more from this new album. So mark your calendars for the release date of February 18th, 2014. We will also see if we can bring you another interview with the band. If you missed our first interview with Neil Middleton from October 2012 you can read it below or check it out here.

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Music Junkie Press:    Thank you Neal for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! We had the great pleasure of catching a couple of your shows when you were opening up Hinder and Candlebox. We instantly fell in love with your music and we are so excited to tell everyone about your current album, “Waiting out the Storm”.

Neal Middleton:   Awesome thank you very much! Glad to talk with you.

Music Junkie Press:   I understand that this is the first release on your own label AIR Castle Records. Congratulations and we look forward to many more! From that, your single “CRAZY” shot up the charts. How was it to see your baby take it’s first steps climbing up the charts?

Neal Middleton:   It is good. It is really interesting and it is a completely different game than being on a major label. Everything is in your own hands, in your own court. You can kind of do the things how you want. It is amazing! With the years of experience in the industry and all of the great relationships that we built with radio, magazines and everything else and then to have them still get behind us even though we don’t have Capitol Records on the CD is pretty remarkable. I think we are going to stick to it this way. It is really nice to not have the suits telling us what to do and we are able to make it all about the music again.

Music Junkie Press:   This new CD just ROCKS! It has a heavier edgy sound to it that is awesome! Is that something that comes from being on your own label and being able to put out exactly what you want to?

Neal Middleton:  Yes, we got to do the record WE wanted to do. Before, there was some struggle in the beginning with our old management and them wanting us to go in a different direction and do different things. We had written like 80 to a 100 songs for the album and we loved so many of them and they kept telling us, “Keep writing, it’s not there” Finally we said No, you’re wrong! It is there, and these are the songs that we love and we are going to do it this way. That was kind of the deciding factor that we were going to do this on our own and do it for the fans. It is definitely all our touch on this album.

Music Junkie Press:   One of my favorite songs on the album is “Bleed My Soul” can you share a little about that song.

Neal Middleton:  Well, that song actually was when Taylor and I sat down in Shreveport, Lousiana in our old beat up motorhome. Taylor was playing that little riff, that Bleed My Soul riff and I told him to keep that up! Keep it going! Then pretty much, we just wrote it right there. Then we had a bunch of people come from outside, tapping on the bus, clapping and singing along. We knew right then that we had something sweet. It was one of those moments where a song just kind of happens and luckily it was a good one. I love that track!

Music Junkie Press:   How about some advice to all the young musicians out there? It seems that every day you hear more and more about how the music industry has changed, is dead, or is dying more each day. What can you say to the teens to keep them to still pick up their guitar or play their drums and decide to keep the rock alive?

Neal Middleton:  I always go back to Don’t think about how difficult it is or everything else. Think instead about why you played the music in the first place. Why did you picked up that guitar? And, hopefully it is not because you wanted to be famous or to be on TV. Hopefully the core reason is because you love playing the guitar and love rock and roll. That should be the core. And if you don’t, then play in your basement! You have to love it, nowadays in the industry, you have to have such a passion in order to survive or succeed. So I would tell them if you love it, then keep doing it and don’t listen to anyone else. If you get someone on your side who wants to help you out, that is great and fortunate, but never forget why you picked up that guitar in the first place, “It was because you wanted to ROCK!”

Music Junkie Press:   Very well said Neal! Growing up what was some of your biggest musical influences?

Neal Middleton:   My brother was always bringing me home different music. He would bring anything from Suicidal Tendencies to Violent Femmes. Then he brought me home Pearl Jam 10 and that really changed my life. I loved Eddie Vetter, loved his voice, the songs, everything. From that point it changed the game for me. I loved all the classics too; Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, Doors, Led Zeppelin, and even Merle Haggard. My parents used to rock out Merle Haggard pretty good. Then there was Sublime, 311, there is still a lot of influences all across the board from old school country to heavy rock. Korn’s first record was a big thing for me. When I sit and think about it, there are a million records that really affected me. It was all about the lyrics and the songs themselves. They had to have emotions behind it and something meaningful that I can connect with and that is kind of how I write my songs too; very honest.

Music Junkie Press:   I am always a strong believer about how music can help people through the roughest patches in their lives or how music can heal a wounded soul. Do you recall a particular moment or can share a story of when music helped you the most?

Neal Middleton:   So many times! It is funny one; but U2’s Joshua Tree was a huge album for me. It’s like when you were a teenager and you are going through love and everything else, and think that you are in love, all the relationship songs get you down. But Joshua Tree always let me kind of escape from all that. Then Pink Floyd has always been one of those too. I could go on forever about songs that have changed my live. Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode and all the ones back in Junior High. A lot of the songs are the ones that had to do with girls and relationships and things. Sublime songs always remind me of my friends.

Music Junkie Press:   Yes, Music has always been a mood changer or there for me. I would like to share that one of your songs on your album, “ I will catch you” is one of those songs for me that personally touched my soul. The first time I heard it I was putting the CD on I was thinking about my father who I had recently lost and the first song that came up on the CD shuffle was “I will catch You” and that is a saying that my father always would say to me and I listened to that song maybe a dozen times that night and I really felt like it was a perfect moment. “The words “Even if I am not around, I won’t let you hit the ground, I will catch you” still bring chills to me and a smile in my heart. It was a beautiful moment and I wanted to share that with you and thank you for that! It isn’t often that I can actually tell someone personally how their music impacted me.

Neal Middleton:   That is awesome. I love that track. I am glad that is something that you can relate to and works for you. I mean it is one of those songs, that one and “Wake Up” on the record that a lot of people can really connect to. That is what it is all about for me, connecting. A father being there for one of his kids, or whether you have a loved one that you are there for no matter what they are going through, if you are losing them to Cancer or Alzheimers or things like that. That has been happening a lot to me in my inner circle of family and everything lately. So, it is something that I can relate to. A lot of my songs are like therapy to get out of my head so I don’t have to just dwell with them.

Music Junkie Press:   If you could do a remake from any song from any genre, what would it be?

Neal Middleton:  Lately, I would have to say, “(I did it) MY Way” by Frank Sinatra.

Music Junkie Press:   WOW! That is incredible, are you really thinking about doing that?

Neal Middleton:   Yes, I would really like to. I have thought a lot about it in the past. It is so meaningful right now for me. I was recently busting it out in the shower the other night. You know it is one of those things where I have had a lot of people tell me, “You don’t listen and Blah, Blah, Blah”. No, I am sticking to my roots, I am sticking to the reason why I did this in the first place. I am going to do it our way.

Music Junkie Press:   WOW! Neal, I have to tell you why you took me off guard with that response because my Father must be here or something. That song, My Way was my father’s song and he requested we play it at his funeral. It was all who he was! That would be incredible if you could do the remake. My son always wanted to do one in a heavy rock version and I would love to see what you come up with!

Neal Middleton: Oh! That is very cool. Very awesome!

Music Junkie Press:   I have another one for you. If you could go back and talk to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give yourself?

Neal Middleton:   Oh man, at 14?? Always be honest ! Well, I guess it depends on what mood I would be in. There is a lot of things I would tell my 14 year old self. I mean I would be like Don’t worry about girls. Just date as many as you possibly can and have a blast! But honestly, more than anything would be to believe in yourself and never give up. I really doubted myself a lot at that age and was down on myself. I would tell myself that everything will work out. Keep being who you are and don’t try to be anyone else.

Music Junkie Press:   Lastly, I got to see the Royal Bliss Pizza from Santa Monica Pizza Company and have to ask, What if you had a Royal Bliss ice cream named after you guys. What would it be?

Neal Middleton:   It would be Rocky Road! Rocky Road for sure, because it has been a rocky road for us and mix in a little bit of everything. I think that would be a perfect ice cream!

Music Junkie Press:   Neal, thank you so much for your wonderful music and we look forward to telling everyone to check your website for the tour dates and get to a show to see you guys! You are heading out on tour next week?

Neal Middleton:   Yes, we are next Wednesday in Atlanta and then next Friday and Saturday with Marilyn Manson Robb Zombie with All That Remains. Thank you.

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Make sure to visit their social media sites so you can stay up to date on their tour dates and latest news!

~ Enjoy, Marisol

Royal Bliss Information & Links

Royal Bliss is:

Neal Middleton – Lead Vocal, Guitar
Taylor Richards – Guitars, Vocals
Dwayne Crawford – Bass, Vocals
Jake Smith – Drums, Percussion

• Royal Bliss Website:   www.royalbliss.com
• Royal Bliss Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Twitter:  www.twitter.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoyalBlissWebisodes
• Royal Bliss Merch: www.royalbliss.spinshop.com
• Royal Bliss Itunes:  www.Itunes.com 

Upcoming Tour Dates: 

• Nov 11  O.N.E. Theater  Mandan, ND
• Nov 14  Busters Mankato, MN
• Nov 15  Freaksters Roadhouse   Pontiac, IL
• Nov 16  Muddy’s              Burlington, IA
• Nov 17  The Sports Story               Boone, IA
• Nov 18  BADA BREW       Crest Hill, IL
• Nov 19  Red Zone             Madison, WI
• Nov 20  District  Rockford, IL
• Nov 22  Machine Shop   Flint, MI
• Nov 23  Intersection       Grand Rapids, MI

Check out Royal Bliss and their packages!!

Remember that band that I told you about last year that truly blew us away with their music? Royal Bliss and you can read our post on them here.  Well, we have some exciting news to share with you!  They are working on a new album and this time you can be a backer on Kickstarter and be part of the people who help get this album funded. Two of my greatest passions together; creating music and keeping the music scene alive. By becoming a backer you can help fund their album and be part of their label!

Royal Bliss has been delivering kick ass rock and roll for 15 years and they have held the honors of putting out some of my favorite songs. To see them come out with another album on their label, just has me excited! You can get more details regarding the Kickstarter campaign here and we just finished getting our pledge in!  Now take a peak at a hilarious promo video on the packages that they are offering:

 

So which package are you going to be getting? I think all their packages are awesome and remember GOOD KARMA comes with every pledge. Who doesn’t need more GOOD KARMA???

Here i s a list of my top 5 favorite Royal Bliss songs:

5. I Was Drunk

4. Devils & Angels

3. Bleed My Soul

2. Crazy

1. Save Me

I am sure that their next album will be bringing me more favorites, so join us being a part of the making of this album. It is time we keep the music alive by showing our support for our favorite bands and let them know we are behind them 100%!!

Last year during our interview with Neil Middleton, lead vocalist we had some great things to say (full interview here) and one of our favorites was the following:

 * * * * *

Music Junkie Press:   How about some advice to all the young musicians out there? It seems that every day you hear more and more about how the music industry has changed, is dead, or is dying more each day. What can you say to the teens to keep them to still pick up their guitar or play their drums and decide to keep the rock alive?

Neal Middleton:  I always go back to Don’t think about how difficult it is or everything else. Think instead about why you played the music in the first place. Why did you picked up that guitar? And, hopefully it is not because you wanted to be famous or to be on TV. Hopefully the core reason is because you love playing the guitar and love rock and roll. That should be the core. And if you don’t, then play in your basement! You have to love it, nowadays in the industry, you have to have such a passion in order to survive or succeed. So I would tell them if you love it, then keep doing it and don’t listen to anyone else. If you get someone on your side who wants to help you out, that is great and fortunate, but never forget why you picked up that guitar in the first place, “It was because you wanted to ROCK!”

 * * * * *

Hope you all take visit to Kickstarter and check out how you can join us in the making of this KICK ASS ROCK ALBUM!!

~ Enjoy, Marisol

Royal Bliss Information & Links

Royal Bliss is:

Neal Middleton – Lead Vocal, Guitar
Taylor Richards – Guitars, Vocals
Dwayne Crawford – Bass, Vocals
Jake Smith – Drums, Percussion

• Royal Bliss Website:   www.royalbliss.com
• Royal Bliss Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Twitter:  www.twitter.com/RoyalBliss
• Royal Bliss Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoyalBlissWebisodes
• Royal Bliss Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/
• Royal Bliss Merch: www.royalbliss.spinshop.com
• Royal Bliss Itunes:  www.Itunes.com 

Upcoming Tour Dates: 

• Sep 26   Buddha Bob’s    Rock Springs, WY
• Sep 27   Buddha Bob’s    Rock Springs, WY
• Sep 28   Painted Lady Saloon       Evanston, WY
• Oct 04   Miramar Air Show            San Diego, CA
• Oct 11   Knitting Factory – “33 Black” Launch Party!            Reno, NV
• Oct 17   House Of Blues – Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, NV
• Oct 25   The Royal            Salt Lake City, UT
• Oct 27   Diamondz            Jerome, ID
• Nov 01  Tuscan Event Center      Price, UT
• Nov 02  Mesa Theater and Club Grand Junction, CO
• Nov 06  Knitting Factory                Boise, ID
• Nov 08  Knitting Factory                Spokane, WA
• Nov 09  Lucky Strike        Missoula, MT
• Nov 11  O.N.E. Theater  Mandan, ND
• Nov 14  Busters Mankato, MN
• Nov 15  Freaksters Roadhouse   Pontiac, IL
• Nov 16  Muddy’s              Burlington, IA
• Nov 17  The Sports Story               Boone, IA
• Nov 18  BADA BREW       Crest Hill, IL
• Nov 19  Red Zone             Madison, WI
• Nov 20  District  Rockford, IL
• Nov 22  Machine Shop   Flint, MI
• Nov 23  Intersection       Grand Rapids, MI

From Rocky Roads to Royal Bliss!

It is time to enjoy some Royal Bliss! These guys have been around for over 13 years and are a true to rock and roll band from Salt Lake City. Over the years, they have had their share of bumps in the road which includes near death experiences, serious accidents, totaled cars, label changes and so much more. One thing remained constant for them, their passion for their music and staying true to themselves. This shows more than ever with their recent CD/Album Release, “Waiting out the Storm” which is their first release on their own record label, “AIR Castle Records”.  This album truly is all their own creation now that they are on their own label. I love it from it’s harder edgy sound to the emotion driven rock that each song brings out.

We had a chance to talk with Neal Middleton, lead vocalist and guitars from the band.  So sit back and get to know Royal Bliss.

Music Junkie Press:    Thank you Neal for taking the time out to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press! We had the great pleasure of catching a couple of your shows when you were opening up Hinder and Candlebox. We instantly fell in love with your music and we are so excited to tell everyone about your current album, “Waiting out the Storm”.

Neal Middleton:   Awesome thank you very much! Glad to talk with you.

Music Junkie Press:   I understand that this is the first release on your own label AIR Castle Records. Congratulations and we look forward to many more! From that, your single “CRAZY” shot up the charts. How was it to see your baby take it’s first steps climbing up the charts?

Neal Middleton:   It is good. It is really interesting and it is a completely different game than being on a major label. Everything is in your own hands, in your own court. You can kind of do the things how you want. It is amazing! With the years of experience in the industry and all of the great relationships that we built with radio, magazines and everything else and then to have them still get behind us even though we don’t have Capitol Records on the CD is pretty remarkable. I think we are going to stick to it this way. It is really nice to not have the suits telling us what to do and we are able to make it all about the music again.

Music Junkie Press:   This new CD just ROCKS! It has a heavier edgy sound to it that is awesome! Is that something that comes from being on your own label and being able to put out exactly what you want to?

Neal Middleton:  Yes, we got to do the record WE wanted to do. Before, there was some struggle in the beginning with our old management and them wanting us to go in a different direction and do different things. We had written like 80 to a 100 songs for the album and we loved so many of them and they kept telling us, “Keep writing, it’s not there” Finally we said No, you’re wrong! It is there, and these are the songs that we love and we are going to do it this way. That was kind of the deciding factor that we were going to do this on our own and do it for the fans. It is definitely all our touch on this album.

Music Junkie Press:   One of my favorite songs on the album is “Bleed My Soul” can you share a little about that song.

Neal Middleton:  Well, that song actually was when Taylor and I sat down in Shreveport, Lousiana in our old beat up motorhome. Taylor was playing that little riff, that Bleed My Soul riff and I told him to keep that up! Keep it going! Then pretty much, we just wrote it right there. Then we had a bunch of people come from outside, tapping on the bus, clapping and singing along. We knew right then that we had something sweet. It was one of those moments where a song just kind of happens and luckily it was a good one. I love that track!

Music Junkie Press:   How about some advice to all the young musicians out there? It seems that every day you hear more and more about how the music industry has changed, is dead, or is dying more each day. What can you say to the teens to keep them to still pick up their guitar or play their drums and decide to keep the rock alive?

Neal Middleton:  I always go back to Don’t think about how difficult it is or everything else. Think instead about why you played the music in the first place. Why did you picked up that guitar? And, hopefully it is not because you wanted to be famous or to be on TV. Hopefully the core reason is because you love playing the guitar and love rock and roll. That should be the core. And if you don’t, then play in your basement! You have to love it, nowadays in the industry, you have to have such a passion in order to survive or succeed. So I would tell them if you love it, then keep doing it and don’t listen to anyone else. If you get someone on your side who wants to help you out, that is great and fortunate, but never forget why you picked up that guitar in the first place, “It was because you wanted to ROCK!”

Music Junkie Press:   Very well said Neal! Growing up what was some of your biggest musical influences?

Neal Middleton:   My brother was always bringing me home different music. He would bring anything from Suicidal Tendencies to Violent Femmes. Then he brought me home Pearl Jam 10 and that really changed my life. I loved Eddie Vetter, loved his voice, the songs, everything. From that point it changed the game for me. I loved all the classics too; Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, Doors, Led Zeppelin, and even Merle Haggard. My parents used to rock out Merle Haggard pretty good. Then there was Sublime, 311, there is still a lot of influences all across the board from old school country to heavy rock. Korn’s first record was a big thing for me. When I sit and think about it, there are a million records that really affected me. It was all about the lyrics and the songs themselves. They had to have emotions behind it and something meaningful that I can connect with and that is kind of how I write my songs too; very honest.

Music Junkie Press:   I am always a strong believer about how music can help people through the roughest patches in their lives or how music can heal a wounded soul. Do you recall a particular moment or can share a story of when music helped you the most?

Neal Middleton:   So many times! It is funny one; but U2’s Joshua Tree was a huge album for me. It’s like when you were a teenager and you are going through love and everything else, and think that you are in love, all the relationship songs get you down. But Joshua Tree always let me kind of escape from all that. Then Pink Floyd has always been one of those too. I could go on forever about songs that have changed my live. Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode and all the ones back in Junior High. A lot of the songs are the ones that had to do with girls and relationships and things. Sublime songs always remind me of my friends.

Music Junkie Press:   Yes, Music has always been a mood changer or there for me. I would like to share that one of your songs on your album, “ I will catch you” is one of those songs for me that personally touched my soul. The first time I heard it I was putting the CD on I was thinking about my father who I had recently lost and the first song that came up on the CD shuffle was “I will catch You” and that is a saying that my father always would say to me and I listened to that song maybe a dozen times that night and I really felt like it was a perfect moment. “The words “Even if I am not around, I won’t let you hit the ground, I will catch you” still bring chills to me and a smile in my heart. It was a beautiful moment and I wanted to share that with you and thank you for that! It isn’t often that I can actually tell someone personally how their music impacted me.

Neal Middleton:   That is awesome. I love that track. I am glad that is something that you can relate to and works for you. I mean it is one of those songs, that one and “Wake Up” on the record that a lot of people can really connect to. That is what it is all about for me, connecting. A father being there for one of his kids, or whether you have a loved one that you are there for no matter what they are going through, if you are losing them to Cancer or Alzheimers or things like that. That has been happening a lot to me in my inner circle of family and everything lately. So, it is something that I can relate to. A lot of my songs are like therapy to get out of my head so I don’t have to just dwell with them.

Music Junkie Press:   If you could do a remake from any song from any genre, what would it be?

Neal Middleton:  Lately, I would have to say, “(I did it) MY Way” by Frank Sinatra.

Music Junkie Press:   WOW! That is incredible, are you really thinking about doing that?

Neal Middleton:   Yes, I would really like to. I have thought a lot about it in the past. It is so meaningful right now for me. I was recently busting it out in the shower the other night. You know it is one of those things where I have had a lot of people tell me, “You don’t listen and Blah, Blah, Blah”. No, I am sticking to my roots, I am sticking to the reason why I did this in the first place. I am going to do it our way.

Music Junkie Press:   WOW! Neal, I have to tell you why you took me off guard with that response because my Father must be here or something. That song, My Way was my father’s song and he requested we play it at his funeral. It was all who he was! That would be incredible if you could do the remake. My son always wanted to do one in a heavy rock version and I would love to see what you come up with!

Neal Middleton: Oh! That is very cool. Very awesome!

Music Junkie Press:   I have another one for you. If you could go back and talk to your 14 year old self, what advice would you give yourself?

Neal Middleton:   Oh man, at 14?? Always be honest ! Well, I guess it depends on what mood I would be in. There is a lot of things I would tell my 14 year old self. I mean I would be like Don’t worry about girls. Just date as many as you possibly can and have a blast! But honestly, more than anything would be to believe in yourself and never give up. I really doubted myself a lot at that age and was down on myself. I would tell myself that everything will work out. Keep being who you are and don’t try to be anyone else.

Music Junkie Press:   Lastly, I got to see the Royal Bliss Pizza from Santa Monica Pizza Company and have to ask, What if you had a Royal Bliss ice cream named after you guys. What would it be?

Neal Middleton:   It would be Rocky Road! Rocky Road for sure, because it has been a rocky road for us and mix in a little bit of everything. I think that would be a perfect ice cream!

Music Junkie Press:   Neal, thank you so much for your wonderful music and we look forward to telling everyone to check your website for the tour dates and get to a show to see you guys! You are heading out on tour next week?

Neal Middleton:   Yes, we are next Wednesday in Atlanta and then next Friday and Saturday with Marilyn Manson Robb Zombie with All That Remains. Thank you.

*********************

Now you are going to have head over to their website and check out their upcoming tour dates and get tickets to the show nearest you! Here is a rundown of their upcoming shows:

• Oct 24      120 Tavern (ALL AGES) Marietta, GA
• Oct 26      The Daily Buzz Tampa, FL
• Oct 26      WJRR’s Halloweenie Roast – Tinker Field Orlando, FL
• Oct 27      Halloweenie Roast – 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre Tampa, FL
• Oct 27      Hard Rock Casino Tampa, FL
• Oct 31      RSR – WJJO Halloween Show Madison, WI
• Nov 02    3rd Street Live(formerly Big Dogg’s Rock Bar) Cedar Rapids, IA
• Nov 03    Pops Sauget, IL
• Nov 05    Freakster’s Roadhouse Wilmington, IL
• Nov 07    O Sheckey’s Columbus, OH
• Nov 09    Adelphia Music Hall Marietta, OH
• Nov 10     Rockhouse Providence, RI
• Nov 13     Club envy Muskegon, MI
• Nov 14      Bada Brew Crestwood, IL
• Nov 15      The District Rockford, IL
• Nov 17      Machine Shop Flint, MI
• Dec 06       Buster’s Mankato, MN
• Dec 07      Johnny Bang Bang’s Quincy, IL
• Dec 08      Brat Stop – WIIL Rock XMas Kenosha, WI

Click here to go to the website for more details on the tour dates!

Also make sure to get your copy of “Waiting out the Storm”

  Now available in Stores everywhere, or on Amazon   or Itunes

Lastly, before I sign off, take a moment and enjoy the video for “Crazy”, one of my favorite songs from this album.

~ Enjoy, Marisol

Royal Bliss Information & Links

Royal Bliss is:

Neal Middleton – Lead Vocal, Guitar
Taylor Richards – Guitars, Vocals
Dwayne Crawford – Bass, Vocals
Jake Smith – Drums, Percussion

Royal Bliss Website:   www.royalbliss.com

Royal Bliss Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoyalBliss

Royal Bliss Twitter:  www.twitter.com/RoyalBliss

Royal Bliss Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoyalBlissWebisodes

Royal Bliss Merch: www.royalbliss.spinshop.com

Royal Bliss Itunes:  www.Itunes.com