Spotlight - March
Welcome to The Spotlight!
This issue is dedicated to Morton Downey Jr (1933-2001), who recently lost
his battle with lung cancer. I remember seeing him for the first time on
television one night going at it with the Rev. Al Sharpton and, as soon as
I saw those chairs fly, I was tuning in to his show as often as possible.
He was an outrageous personality who didn't take shit from anybody and I
admired his attitude a great deal. I was saddened to learn of his passing
and I've she a few tears for him. The world lost a great man and he will be
deeply missed. Zip it, slimeballs!
"Was it good for you? Well, it's good for me...I'm electrified!" (PC69)
Well, here we are, our third issue and the feedback that these newsletters
have been getting has been exceptionally positive. It's good to know that
there's people out there who are interested in what I have to say. All the
compliments and words of encouragement are the fuel that keeps my fire
burning.
The upcoming print issue of SPOTLIGHT will be released in April. I made the
mistake of announcing a release date before I checked the printing schedule
of the company I send my stuff to...shit happens. In a way, this works to
my advantage because it gives me a little more time to work on the issue
and to make sure everything is done to my satisfaction. Got some great
stuff in it and, before this thing even hits the street, we're gonna get
some publicity for it. So, you'll be reading about the issue before you
actually get to read it.
The upcoming SPOTLIGHT compilation CD is also still in the works. There's a
few options I have regarding this release and I want to look into them more
before I make any decision on how I'm actually gonna print it up. We'll
keep you posted on this release and we'll send out a special update once
it's ready. We've got a great line up of artists that's guaranteed to make
this one a keeper.
Enough said...let's get into the good stuff, shall we?
I recently got in touch with a wonderful new band that calls themselves
Lava Baby. They've got an awesome, nine song CD available titled "In The
Right Place" that has quickly become one of my all time favorite releases.
Since I really enjoy this band, I asked vocalist/guitarist Robyn Celia to
introduce the band to my loyal readers and this is what she had to say.
"Hey, we're Lava Baby. You should check us out because we're a fresh and
great new power pop band on the rise with girls and guys, glitter and
groins. Fun and frenetic, expect the unexpected! Listen to what our new
music of the millennium is all about. Yeah, we got the beat!" This is one
writer who couldn't agree more. Did I mention that they're also ultra-cool
and very hip? No? Well, I just did...Lava Baby rules, check 'em out now or
you will regret it. Trust me, music this good, you can't afford to pass it up!
http://www.lavababy.com
One of the most consistant bands in the Pennsylvania music scene is Clove.
They've made three solid albums and their live performances are equally as
good. The band members all share a common vision and in their desire to
make exceptional music, they've developed an attitude that can be summed up
in two words..."NO COMPROMISE." Clove is a band that wants to go all the
way with their music. But, they won't change what they believe in and they
won't change their style of music just to hit the big time. If it happens,
and believe me, it will, Clove will make it to the top on the strength of
that common vision that all the members share. Three albums: "Delusions Of
Grandeur," "The Fragrant Explosion" and their latest release, "Go." All
unique in their own way, each one worthy of being in your collection.
http://www.cloverocks.com
RED is proud to announce that they have located a new vocalist and that
vocalist is Christian Chappell (who performed with the band Locke). While
this bit of news doesn't matter too much to the people outside of
Pennsylvania (not yet anyway), area residents will soon be able to see the
new and improved band in action. For those of you who can't see the band
live, you can always check out their "Tales From The Icebox" EP, which
features original vocalist Greg Shaffer. It's a cool album that will show
you where the band used to be. What's yet to come is something we can all
wait for together. Since this band continues to improve with everything
they do, the next release should knock your socks off.
http://www.redtheband.com
One album...twelve songs, each with the potential to be a number one
single. Not a weak spot on the entire album. Without a doubt, one of the
greatest melodic rock albums that you'll ever have the pleasure of hearing.
Sound like something that would interest you? If it is, I have three words
for you..."Leap Of Faith." What's that, you ask? Well, that's the title of
the debut solo release from John Taglieri on A2 Records and if you don't
have this album in your collection then you don't know what good music is
all about. Trust me...you want this album!
http://LeapDogMusic.com
On Monday, February 26th at 7:30 p.m. I got a phone call from W.A.S.P.
frontman Blackie Lawless. We talked about the upcoming release, "Unholy
Terror," which will hit the streets on April 6th. The results of that
interview will be featured in the upcoming print issue of SPOTLIGHT and,
believe me, it's one you don't wanna miss. As for the new album, what can I
say? It is, by far, the strongest statement the band has ever made and Mr.
Lawless made sure he got his point across in our interview. Even I was
suprised by the conversation because it wasn't at all what I had expected.
As for the album, it sounds like a combination of "The Headless Children"
and "Helldorado" and it packs quite a punch. But, what else do you expect?
When it comes to W.A.S.P., they've never been a band that holds anything
back and, once again, they're standing tall on the strength of another
exceptional release.
http://www.waspnation.com
I also had the pleasure of doing an interview, for the second time, with
the legendary King Diamond. His solo efforts as well as his work with
Mercyful Fate are unique offerings that have never been duplicated. He has
a style that's all his own. But, what a lot of people don't seem to realize
is that the legend didn't begin with his recordings with Mercyful Fate. It
began three years previous to that time with a band called Black Rose and
now, for the first time in 20 years, you can finally hear where the legend
really began with "King Diamond & Black Rose 20 Years Ago: A Night Of
Rehearsal." This twelve song release, which has remaind in King's
possession all these years, has finally seen the light of day, untouched
and unedited, just like it happened two decades ago on that magical night
when the tape was rolling and the band was rocking. This is one for the
history books...a must have for any true King Diamond fan!
http://www.metalblade.com
When the World Wrestling Federation was looking for the right guitar player
to collaborate and record guitar tracks as part of their new football
league (XFL), guess who got the job? It's master guitarist Paul Nelson of
the legendary power metal band Liege Lord. See and hear for yourself on
USA, NBC, TNN or UPN. It's good to see the traditional marriage between
wrestling and heavy metal continue even with the WWF's XFL football league.
Congratulations to Paul Nelson who is both deserving and capable of doing
the job. Metal is expanding its borders with the World Wrestling
Federation! Also, look for Paul Nelson on the upcoming SPOTLIGHT
compilation CD!
http://www.paulnelsonguitar.com
I got the debut CD from a band called Defective Monk titled "Attack Of The
Killer Monks" and while it looked like one of those cheap home tape jobs,
it was a lot better than I expected. The production was good and, as far as
the music goes, it's straight forward metal. Yeah, it's been done before,
but, a good album is a good album, right? Well, this one has enough kick to
give you hours of headbangin' pleasure and it's worth looking into. I sent
the band a copy of my review, but, they don't know about this one yet. So,
when you check out their page, be sure to mention that you read about them
here. That'll be a nice suprise for them.
http://www.defectivemonk.com
For those of you who are into bands such as Molly Hatchet, Lynyrd Skynyrd
and Blackfoot, well, The Southern Rock All Stars are the band for you. I
have to admit, I wasn't really a fan of southern rock until I saw this band
live and they put on such an impressive show, well, they made a believer
out of me. Even before seeing them live, a copy of their CD was sent to me
because I was doing a newspaper article on them and, I must say, I rather
liked what I heard. They performed with such a passion and conviction that
you couldn't help but get into them. To be honest, the crowd that came to
see them didn't need anything to make them believe as they already knew
what to expect, they knew they were gonna get an explosive show. As for me,
I needed that little extra push and, let me tell you, I got it. Great band,
great performers and all around nice guys. They were more than friendly
with the crowd before and after the show and that was appreciated by all
those in attendance, that's for sure. Myself included. Check 'em out...and
for your information, this band features former members of the above
mentioned bands.
http://www.southernrock.com
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS: UNDERGREEN and THICKER THAN WATER
Well, it's official...Arlington, Virginia based band Thicker Than Water
will be making their second appearance at Fiddlestyx/The Revolution Club on
March 31st. Their debut performance in this area was as an unknown band.
They came in with very little publicity and hardly anybody knew anything
about them. But, they managed to pull in a decent crowd and they managed to
impress the hell out of everyone in attendance. So, they made their mark
and now they're coming back to do it again and, this time, it's guaranteed
that they'll blow the roof off of the place and, hey, it gets better
because Harrisburg's Undergreen will be there to get things started and, if
you haven't seen this band in action yet, now's the time to do it.Two
exceptional bands...one night only. It'll be a night of great music and
heavy drinkin', that's for sure. This is one show that you don't wanna miss!
Undergreen:
http://www.undergreen.com
Thicker Than Water: Thicker Than Water:
http://www.geocities.com/thickerthanwater2000
Come Join The Revolution At Milton's Hottest Night Spot:
http://www.parocks.com/revolution
Here's a band that caught me by suprise. Never heard the name, never heard
the music and my first experience with the band was seeing them live and
Spinebelt's vocalist Butch Lloyd telling me to write about this band
because, "they're gonna be fuckin' huge...I'm telling you!" I really don't
like to see a band live without first hearing their music because I don't
get a proper feel for what I'm experiencing, if you know what I mean. But,
the band had such a stong stage presence, I couldn't help myself, I stood
there watching in amazement. I got a copy of "Strange Appointments" that
night and when I gave it a listen, I was amazed once again. They managed to
capture on record what they accomplished on stage. Their music, which has
been described as "rocktronica," is a combination of rock and electronics
with a slight gothic feel. I'm sure they'll get tagged as an industrial
band, but, you won't hear me call 'em that because their music goes way
beyond that. It's not simply a wall of noise with vocals thrown in. There's
a groove to what 51 Peg is doing, it's like the musical equivalent of an
orgasm. Heavy, erotic and sensual. In this day and age, it's kind of hard
to do something original. But, 51 Peg has accomplished that and, believe
me, they've already got a buzz going and, when more people catch on to what
they're doing, they're gonna be huge. Open your mind to something new,
something different. Experience the music of the future...experience 51
Peg. "Strange Appointments" is worthy of the time and effort you'll spend
checking it out. You'll walk away from this experience the same way I
did...as a quickly convinced fan!
http://www.51pegonline.com
NOTE: The 51 Peg review was written for Ballbuster Magazine. But, since I
really got into this band, I thought I'd share this review with you. For
those of you who care, you can view it online at:
http://www.ballbusterhardmusic.com
Well, that's about all for this month. Be sure to sign the guestbooks on
the web pages that have them. I can't stress this fact enough. Leave your
mark and let the bands know that you actually read these newsletters. I
don't expect you to sign every single one. But, out of all the web pages I
tell you about, I'm sure that there's at least one that really catches your
eye. So leave your comments in their guest book. Also, when contacting any
of the artists listed in these newsletter, please mention that you saw them
here.
Also, keep spreading the word about these newsletters. The more people who
know about SPOTLIGHT, the better it is for all those involved. It's all
about exposure. I can only reach so many people on my own. With your help,
we can build a strong, supportive music community here. That's what it's
all about, people. I mean, hell, you wouldn't be reading these newsletters
if you didn't care about music, right? So, if you care...share!
Next month, we should have some more FREE stuff for you, as I had a few
bands express an interest in offering some of you a FREE CD just for being
a loyal SPOTLIGHT reader...and checking out a web page. FREE music is just
a hop, click and a jump away.
"I've got the devil in my blood telling me what to do...and I'm all ears!"
(AC/DC)
Send press kits, love letters, sponsorship offers or nude pictures to:
SPOTLIGHT c/o Paul Autry, P.O. Box 227, Shamokin Pa. 17872