Narrated by Lita Ford. Interviews with Slash and Phil Soussan, among many others.
The life story of musician Randy Castillo!
Live Shows
A name change, and stunning new look, for all things candle, soap and smell!
Brought to you by Drummer, Business Woman and Reality TV Star; Athena Bass.
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When Nikki Sixx chose opening band; The Cringe, from New York, USA to warm up the crowd at Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on November 18, 2014, he was likely hedging his bets. But a sure thing was going to be this; The Cringe were going to be far worse than anything the following acts were going to do, and the choice of band name was very, erm, apt. Vocalist John Cusimano was bordering on certifiable with his vocal delivery of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid. Larry the Lamb would have given a better performance. Climbing into the security barrier, and then struggling to get back around to the side of the stage while performing, as an opener, that very few people are watching, is not going to gain you brownie points, and attempting to cover Jailbreak, by Thin Lizzy, is really not the greatest idea either. While the sound quality from the musicians was very good, the vocal sounded like it was stopping and starting, and while the intention was good, the crowd were not appreciative.
Alice Cooper however, is on a whole different level. Naturally! It seemed as if the capacity crowd was almost all in attendance, just for the very special guest.
Of course, this man has been performing his musical theatre for over fifty years. He is now in his late 60’s, and still shakes his snake hips on stage like a 20-year-old. Cooper is revered, and rightly so. Starting his set with Hello Hooray, a Judy Collins cover, Cooper then ran through the hits, but not randomly. No, the set was done with finesse, timing, and professionalism. When he hit song six; Poison, which was a massive hit the world over in 1989, during the MTV age, the crowd went fucking crazy. Hardly surprising, as the average age of attendees, upon glancing around the arena, was 48!
Replacing his former female lead guitarist Orianthi, with the very talented Nita Strauss, who also plays guitar with The Iron Maidens and Femme Fatale, did the man Alice no damage. Strauss is a powerful musician, and held her own in a stunning manner, through many instrument changes and a killer solo.
Dirty Diamonds saw the maestro throw strings of faux diamonds into the crowd, causing a mini frenzy on the floor.
Feed My Frankenstein, Ballad of Dwight Fry, Killer and I Love The Dead gave way to the real theatrical element of the show, with an electrocution, a straight jacket and a guillotine, added to the mix.
Of course the closing song was Schools Out, but it could have been Happy Birthday, for all the audience cared. Cooper had them hooked from the get go, and they would have probably been happy just to see him stand on stage, and crack whips all night. If you only went to the show to see the special guest, the only downfall was that the set was far too short.
When a headlining band starts playing songs from The Sound of Music as their intro, you know shit is up! So Long, Farewell, was that song, and in this particular case, it is very fitting. After going hard for 30 years, the gig (well the touring side of it) is up for Motley Crue. A contract was signed by all four members in January 2014, which prevents them from touring as a band ever again. The kicker is that residencies, and one-off appearances, are not mentioned within that contract. So, there is still a chance you may get to see the boys play live again!
It doesn’t matter about the set list at a show like this. Everyone has a different favorite, Home Sweet Home is the guaranteed finale, and Looks That Kill, Shout At The Devil, Dr Feelgood, Smokin’ In The Boys Room,On WIth The Show, and Girl Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) are a given.
When the lights go up nothing has really changed since the last time that the band were through Edmonton, in April 2013. Vocalist Vince Neil, did look to be wearing a Victorian era dress on first glance, but as the light changed it became apparent that it was indeed just a very long jacket. Neils reasoning for the bands longevity was that “we drank and took drugs every day, for years.” A little flawed, when you consider he is the only one that drinks any more, and has been for quite a number of years!
Throughout the set, Neils vocal was sketchy. He seemed to miss words out, whether from breathlessness, or whether he was forgetting them , was not apparent. But it is a fact, that the best years of Neils vocals are certainly behind him. However, when he hits it right, he is STILL the voice of Motley Crue.
Mick Mars still hammers it out on the guitar, despite his obvious physical illness, he doesn’t miss a beat, and there was even a smile from the man, as Nikki Sixx gave his spiel on decision making, and introduced his band mates, half way through the set. A nice, personal touch, from the main man behind the band, and a little guiding hand for those in the audience who are not sure about life, and choices.
Sixx told the story of how the band evolved on the streets of Hollywood, and how girls were “taking their pussies out of their pants and throwing them at Vince, who was catching them with his teeth,” at the show where the four were to finally meet. What a visual. What a story!
Tommy Lee appeared to have a crotch cam going on! There were no shots of his face on the big screen for at least the first six songs! However, there was more to see as Lee took to the “Cruecify” roller coaster for his drum solo. Those watching closely would be left trying to figure out how he was drumming, as it looked as if his hands were moving in reverse. Sick, twisted, motherfucker, never fails to amaze!
Of course Motley Crue is now pure nostalgia. Most of those in attendance grew up with this band. No-one is expecting perfection, they just want the music and the memories. They got them, in heaps. Along with some incredible pyro! Thank you for the memories.
Motley Crue … On With The Show.
Karen G Nov 19 2014
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Here it is;
The release of the 2015 Download Festival, headliners line-up!
Not too shoddy!
Download headliners line-up 2015
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“Pretty damn good man! For an old Sabbath fan from the day, it was worth every penny!” That’s how music fan Don Mason, is telling it today, after attending last nights appearance at Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada by Black Sabbath. A SOLD OUT show!
In all reality, it’s fairly impossible to give Black Sabbath any kind of review at all. They are after all, Black Sabbath.
L to R
Iommi, Osbourne, Butler
Anyone in attendance at a show is lucky at all to be able to see any of the musicians in this particular line up at all. While the most recent record 13 was being made, front fellow Ozzy Osbourne had an addiction relapse, which caused a hiatus between him and Manager/Missus Sharon Osbourne. Guitarist Tony Iommi is still undergoing cancer treatment and (ex) drummer Bill Ward told Ultimate Classic Rock he just flat-out “wouldn’t sign a contract!” The band tell a different truth. Thank fuck for bassist Geezer Butler! With Tony Clufetos behind the drums, Ward was barely a whisper in the wind.
Osbourne has had the same lines on stage for at least the past 25 years, with or without his Sabbath band mates.. “I love you all” and “I can’t fucking hear you” are tried and tested phrases for the iconic singer. They work. The crowd shouts louder and they love him right back. At 65 he can still belt it out. His voice barely wavering from that of a young Ozzy Zig many, many moons ago. He no longer needs a gig!
Of course, after years of substance abuse and ant snorting antics, you sometimes wonder if he’ll make it to the other side of the stage, clapping and grinning maniacally…. but he does and the fans egg him on to get back to the centre of the stage, in time to sing the next note.
A standing crowd, right from lights out at just before 9pm 10:50pm, or there about and the atmosphere was electric. There were fans like Mason from back in the day and fans as young as four or five years old, to be seen in the crowd. The latter, probably not enjoying the topless women that were present on the monitors throughout, as much as the former! Tits always make everything better!
Opening with War Pigs and closing with Paranoid, the evenings set list was a no surprise, no frills affair. The classics were just that, the newer tunes less revered, but still very well received.
Black Sabbath were never a particularly theatrical outfit. Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy as the singer during a transition was a great vocalist and superb performer, but his style was so very different and let’s face it, we all know that Osbourne really is the only guy for this gig. Black Sabbath was always about creating atmosphere and other than Osbourne, no one could give that individual, dark, maniacal, and classic feel.
After the loss of two finger tips in his youth, Iommi had to construct himself prosthetics/finger tips in order to continue playing guitar. It was this accident that caused his style and playing ability to change, giving the distinctive sound that others have tried and failed for decades, to emulate.
Bassist Butler really has no story. He doesn’t need one. He is the bassist with Black Sabbath.
After show end last night, the band hopped on a flight to LA where they will finish up this leg of the 13 North American tour. It’s unknown when, or even if they will be around these parts again. If you were in attendance you were a part of some serious musical history.
Not there? Massive Fail!
Karen G 23 April 2014
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The Hoax are a well known, talented blues band, based in England.
They are, in no particular order;
Jon Amor; Guitar, Mark Barrett; Drums, Hugh Coltman; Vocal and Harmonica, Jesse Davey; Guitar, Robin Davey; Bass Guitar.
TiTT recently had Drummer Mark Barrett answer some questions and we tried to get some usable answers. He did OK!
We asked Barrett to answer in one short paragraph, “who are The Hoax?” without using the words Blues or Rock.
His answer although not particularly short, was an honest one!
“In familial terms, my Brother asks me if I’m still ‘playing with my tin pot band.’ My Dad asks me if ‘I’m still jigging’, and my Mum just wants me to be happy. Outside of that, one fan described us as being ‘the best band in the world.’”
Before joining the best band in the world, Barrett was affiliated with rock drumming in the 80’s and early 90’s (we asked that he correct us if we are wrong here). How did he make the personal transition, or was it a case of getting himself heard, so he, like many others before him would take what you he get?
Barrett confirms what we thought was so. “At that time I was only interested in playing with as many bands as possible and those bands happened to be playing rock music, which was rife in my local area at the time. It didn’t matter to me whether the bands were rock, roll, soul, blues, or anything else. I think it’s important for any drummer to start playing with other musicians as soon as is possible, whatever they bring to the table. It is, in my opinion, the best way to learn how to communicate with music. Further on down the road, I was asked to play in a local blues band who had a bit of a reputation in the wider area and it was that band who really got my playing to where it is today.”
A bit more choosy and a lot more talented in 2014, he must have some influences. Musician or not! We asked him who or what they are?
Barrett is obviously in need of a more orderly sleep pattern at this point… as his reply suggests;
“The family hamster Hamlyn is my biggest influence. The way he goes about his business is enviable. He only really comes out at night time (which everybody knows is the right time), he keeps himself to himself and runs around his wheel tirelessly without complaint. Not only that, the area where he sleeps looks like the most comfortable place on earth. As well as Hamlyn, the biggest influence I have is my immediate family. You travel the world trying to find what you’re looking for and return home to find it.”
Travelling took The Hoax to Los Angeles, California, during the summer of 2013. At this time they were making new music. We wondered what they learned out there, individually and/or as a band? Did they even like the LA lifestyle?
Barrett seemed pretty impressed with west coast living, as he told TiTT “It was my first time in America and the visit challenged my previous views on America. The most influential thing I learned was that we could work as a band again. As for the LA lifestyle, in the two weeks I was there I’ve never felt so healthy, so the lifestyle must have agreed with me in some form or another. Good food, good company, and a good work ethic. To be honest, I didn’t really see much of the LA lifestyle as I was contained within the four walls of a recording studio, but the bits I did see were very enjoyable. To drive West down Sunset to the sea was something I’d always wanted to do. The only shame was that I didn’t have any jungle music on hand to turn down.”
So would he leave the UK for North America permanently if the deal was good enough?
The answer is simple “I’d leave the UK for any country if the deal was good enough.”
As we allow him to ponder his rental options in Venice, Ca, we ponder song writing and asked if, when The Hoax are writing a song, does each member hole up alone, or is there generally a group session?
As Barrett shakes the sand from his pants he shares that “For the Big City Blues record, we got together in a studio in California with only partially finished song! The rest of the songs for that album were written by the five of us on the day. We knew we had to have an album recorded in twelve days, so that forced us to come out with a finished song every day.”
As we are all well aware, with many modern and current blues bands, there is often a ZZ Top influence. The Hoax has a definite ZZ Top vibe in their music. We asked Barret if he was particularly influenced by ZZ Top and would he, or any other member of The Hoax consider growing a ridiculous beard for infamy?
The now fairly clean shaven drummer replied “I’ve gotta lotta respect for Frank Beard. I remember being asked to learn ZZ Top’s La Grange by a band in my home town and the first time I heard it I had real difficulty in understanding the part. Frank Beard’s shuffle was a beat I’d never heard before and learning that track was a labour of love for me. To me, it sounded like an engine turning over. As for beards, The Hoax have a history of outrageous facial hair. I myself sported a fantastic moustache for a tour a couple of years back, unfortunately it wasn’t suitable for picking up my daughter from school on a day to day basis, so it had to go. Needless to say, the band have never forgiven me.”
Hairy or smooth, The Hoax appear to have a solid following in Europe. TiTT wondered if the less stubbly one thinks that their sound translates well there and why? European music is so very different than what The Hoax present.
In his best regional dialect Barret replied “I wouldn’t call the music we play European at all, aside from the fact there are five English boys playing the music. But yes, Europe seems to like what we do, at least the countries we’ve played anyway. I think Europe is enjoying a renaissance in music. A music that has traditionally had its home in Africa and the USA.”
With any band it is always interesting to know hich members of the band took music lessons when they were younger and who is self taught? In such an accomplished band, you would probably expect the answer to be way different than the one we recieved!
Barrett tells it like it is; “As far as I know, I’m the only one who took formal lessons. My Mum and Dad insisted on it. I had a drum tutor come around to the house every week. He taught me how to read music and how to not over-tighten cymbals. He smelled heavily of garlic all the time, but claimed he’d never had a common cold in his life due to his penchant for garlic; which by the way I didn’t believe. Trying to prove my disbelief was difficult and after several weeks of drum tuition my chance came when out of nowhere I caught a cold. My plan was to sneeze into a jar, then immediately seal the jar thus preserving the cold virus. The next lesson came around and I got the infected jar out and left it open next to where he sat. The following week he arrived with a runny nose, a cough and a sneeze. I asked him if he was alright and he replied by saying “I’m fine thanks, Mark, just struggling with a bit of hayfever.” Of course, some might say it would have been easier just to sneeze directly on him but my method seemed more fun.”
Sneezing in jars! Voodoo? No, not even close, but it did make us wonder, is there a Hoax pre-show ritual? If so how did that come about. If not, what could you see yourself doing to make sure a show has the correct karma?
Again with a less than mainstream answer, Barrett tells; “I’ve long thought the best way to prepare for a show is for the band to have a huge falling out; a massive argument pre-show. That way the band takes to the stage with fire. Of course it doesn’t always work out that way as I’ve found out to my misfortune with other bands… Aside from that, individually wrapped peanuts and chocolate filled carrots seem to do the job for The Hoax.”
We figured for a bonus question we would talk clothes, as Barrett is somewhat of a fashionista in his own right.. So we got down to the real brief and asked “Do you wear lucky underwear? Ha, do you wear underwear at all?”
“I do not. In truth, luck plays no part.” Barrett replied.
So there you have it ladies. Now you know!
The Hoax have a UK tour in April 2014 and more European dates later in the year. For details click the links!
https://www.facebook.com/thehoaxuk?ref=ts&fref=ts
Tumblr page at http://thehoaxuk.tumblr.com for details.
Karen G March 28 2014
Photos by Darlo Dave
Turn It Up To Twelve 