THE SPOTLIGHT: JULY/AUGUST, 2003
MMC 2004: http://musicconference.net
SKELLERPALOOZA: http://www.skellerpalooza.com
Two months. No newsletter. My neighbors were/are socially handicapped and
they've got some serious mental issues. After six years of putting up with
their sad, pathetic, soap opera drama, I moved. Let someone else deal with
'em. Personally, I can't tolerate people who have a constant, negative
vibe. So, I moved, I'm happy. Now, let's get down to business because I
have a lot of catching up to do.
FREE MUSIC: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/463/alexas_wish.html
FREE MUSIC: http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/437/trauma_concept.html
On September 19th, I had the honor of having Emily Zuzik, Denise Barbarita
and Hannah Bingman perform right here in my livingroom. The storm kept a
lot of people away and it left us without power. But, we didn't let that
stop us. We put candles up all over the house, which created a really cool
setting. We had about 20 people here and while some people might think that
it didn't work out, it was, in fact, a very successful show. Everyone in
attendance had a real appreciation for the music and, as I'm sure they
would be quick to point out, it was a very, shall we say, up close and
personal experience. While you're waiting for a more detailed article, be
sure to check out Emily, Denise and Hannah. They're all exceptionally
talented performers and it was a real pleasure to be able to put something
like this together with this line up. I have a deep respect for them
because they managed to put on a good show with this amazing vibe. It was,
in a word, beautiful.
DENISE: http://www.myshytune.com
EMILY: http://www.emilyzuzik.com
HANNAH: http://www.hannahbingman.com
INTERVIEW: Attached to this issue is an interview with Bill Capuano of the
band Blue Taxi, with an introduction that was written by Jen Kunkel. The
interview can also be found in the current issue of Rock Bottom Zine and,
it's available for anyone who would like to use it on their website or
publication. All we ask is that you let us know where you use it so we can
let everyone know.
BLUE TAXI: http://www.gruppeb.com/bluetaxi
Jen Elliott brings color and emotion to every tune she touches. I saw that
comment on her web page and I couldn't agree more. When I first heard her
debut CD, "The Secret's Out," I began to describe her as the female version
of Elvis because she had that larger than life energy about her. Her music
is full of energy and she has such a passion in her voice. You hear it,
you're hooked. It's as simple as that. I did an interview with her, which
will be featured in my LONG OVERDUE print issue. So, while you're waiting
for that, check out her disc to see what all the fuss is about. You won't
be disappointed!
JEN ELLIOTT: http://www.citycanyons.com/jenelliott/index.html
With the recent passing of country music legend Johnny Cash, I thought I
would mention the Northern Blues tribute album once again. "Johnny's Blues:
A Tribute To Johnny Cash" is an album that features artist such as Paul
Reddick, Clarence Brown, Benjy Davis, Maria Muldaur, Chris Thomas King,
Garland Jeffreys, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Harry Manx, Alvin Youngblood
Heart, Sleepy Labeef, Corey Harris, Kevin Breit, Colin Linden and Mavis
Staples. As I said before, this is a tribute album that was done right. You
get contact information for all the artists and there's a quote from each
one as to why they picked the song they decided to cover and/or what they
thought of the "man in black." There's a lot of love and respect on this
release and, it doesn't matter if you're a fan or not, I'm sure you can
appreciate this release.
NORTHERN BLUES: http://www.northernblues.com
After more than twelve years apart, Rob Halford & Judas Priest have
reunited for a global live concert tour in 2004. The band will celebrate
their 30th anniversary. Vocalist Ripper Owens has left the band on good
terms. Also, be on the look out for Painmuseum, the new band from Halford
guitarist Metal Mike Chlasciak.
JUDAS PRIEST: http://www.judaspriest.com
MIKE CHLASCIAK: http://www.painmuseum.com
Got a compilation album from Bandaloop Records a short time ago that I
thought I would mention. This disc features The Booginz, Coinmonster,
Ritual Space Travel Agency, Go Robot Go, Yello No. 5 and Brother Eye.
There's a lot of good stuff on here. Various musical styles. I believe the
purpose of this release is to give you a taste of what each band does and,
depending on what you like, maybe you'll check out their full length
releases. While each band is good in their own way, the one that really
caught my attention was Ritual Space Travel Agency. What a name, huh?
Anyway, they've got this whole heavy rock with horns and rap style vocals
thing going on. It's an interesting combination, that's for sure. "Mudpit"
is a really cool tune, well worth checking out. Give this disc a listen!
BANDALOOP RECORDS: http://www.bandalooprecords.com
Some time ago, I recieved a nine song sampler all the way from Japan. The
band goes by the name Reverb. Ah, yes, this is something I really enjoy.
Straight forward rock 'n' roll. I totally dig this style of music. It's
stuff like this that turned me on to music in the first place. It's loud,
raw, full of energy and 100% fun. There's a tune on this release called
"I'm Down" that the kind of song that you can't forget. You hear it once
and it's stuck in your mind forever. They also did a cover of Ozzy's "Mr.
Crowley" and Paul Stanley's "What's On Your Mind" and "Goodbye," which are
from his solo album. As a huge Kiss fan, it was a real treat to hear these
songs. But, it's their original music that's really worth checking out.
Awesome!
REVERB: http://plaza.across.or.jp/~ilove80s
Sherri Mullen's current release, "Mask," is a perfect combination of pop
and rock with the whole singer/songwriter vibe. My first experience with
her music and what she has to offer was her impressive performance at the
singer/songwriter festival earlier this year. I had the chance to speak
with her a bit and she was really down to earth. She's a very skilled
performer who has the ability to take her music from one extreme to
another. She can touch your soul one minute and rock you the next. It's
really amazing. I would suggest checking out her album first. Once you give
it a listen, you need to catch a live show. You can't have one without the
other because your entertainment experience wouldn't be complete and,
believe me, this is one artist you don't wanna miss out on!
SHERRI MULLEN: http://www.sherrimullen.com
Here's an update from Balistic. They've got a new CD coming out,
"Tranference." It will feature five new songs that delve into the inner
working of the human condition, surrounded in a progressive metal coating
that is just slammin'! They're looking to have the new disc available by
September or October. This will be the first release to feature former
Spellbound vocalist Mark McNelley. All pertinent album information can be
found on their website.
BALISTIC: http://www.balistic.com
Styll Standing's debut CD is on sale now. Be sure to check it out. Partial
proceeds from their sales will go to the Ty Longley baby fund, the fallen
guitarist of Great White who lost his life in the Rhode Island fire.
Haven't heard the CD myself. But, so far, the reviews they're getting have
been good. It's a start!
STYLL STANDING: http://www.styllstanding.com
If you're not familiar with the music of Gargantua Soul, there's no better
time than the present to introduce yourself to 'em. The CD I have, which is
"The First, The Last, The Tribe," is an explosive combination of heavy
rock, hardcore, a little alternative and rap style vocals. I know what
you're thinking...you've heard it all before, right? In this case, I don't
think so. When I first gave this disc a listen, I thought it sounded fresh
and original and, to be honest with you, I can't really think of another
band they remind me of. I was also lucky enough to catch them live a few
months ago and they put on a really intense show. I was quickly impressed
and, if you give them a chance, I'm sure you'll feel the same way. This is
a band that can and will deliver!
G-SOUL: http://www.gsoul.com
Electric Candy Shop. Gotta love the name. As for the music, well, I haven't
heard a lot of it. I have a four song sample disc that I picked up earlier
this year. They've got a modern rock sound that goes above and beyond what
you'd probably expect to hear. If you didn't know anything about the band
and you heard this disc, you would get the impression that you're listening
to a national band with years of experience under their belt. Yes, they're
that good. Keep in mind that this is just a sample disc that I'm going by.
One can only imagine what their full length release sounds like!
ECS: http://www.electriccandyshop.com
Kaipa was the leading Scandinavian progressive band in the 70's. They
recorded five albums between 1975 and 1982. On the release that I have,
"Notes From The Past," the band has a 70's feel with a more modern sound. I
may be way off base here. But, when I first heard this, I thought it
sounded like a combination of Queen and Styx. Of course, their own original
vibe was thrown into the mix. This album will appeal to those who favor
modern progressive music as well as those people who still have a soft spot
in their heart for music of the 70's.
KAIPA: http://www.kaipa.info
INSIDE OUT: http://www.insideoutmusic.com
If you're from Pennsylvania, you should be familiar with the music of
X-Terra. They've been around for quite some time now. Their current
release, a thirteen song CD titled "Wolves," is a combination of
progressive and classic rock and, when it comes to subject matter, the band
has a more positive attitude towards everything and, yes, that does come
across in their music. It's that vibe that will help them to reach a much
larger audience because, well, it's a band that pretty much everyone can
get into. I haven't had the chance to catch 'em live yet. But, I did get to
see bassist Anne Kachline do the singer/songwriter thing, which was really
cool. Especially since I heard this release after that performance. I got
to see another side of the band, so to speak, and when I got home and gave
"Wolves" a listen, I was blown away. There's a lot of talent in this band,
that's for sure.
X-TERRA: http://www.xterrarocks.com
Another band that's doing more positive material is New York's Faedrus. I
guess you could say they're a rock band. But, they're not your typical rock
band. I have their debut album, the 17 song "Channels" and, as I give it a
quick run through, I hear elements of pop, 70's music and blues. Some of
their tunes, like "Calm Before The Storm," I'm not really sure what to call
it. I may be way off base here, but, what first came to mind when I hit
this tune was country/rock/swing. It's a really upbeat number, that's for
sure. This whole album is like that. Each song is different and, at first,
you might not be sure what to make of it and you have a hard time trying to
describe it. But, you know it's good. This disc has a running time that's
over an hour and that's a lot of music to go through in one sitting. But,
if you happen to enjoy what you hear, well, figure it out!
FAEDRUS: http://faedrus.com
QUICK UPDATES: Pennsylvania's Impulse is now known as Ajar and classic rock
band II Big is currently in the studio working on their fourth release. For
more information on either artist, simply click on the link below.
AJAR: http://www.ajarmusic.com
II BIG: http://www.riverrox.com
TIM GAINES MUSIC: http://www.4electricbass.com
ROUGHHOUSE: http://community-2.webtv.net/kissgirl_13/ROUGHHOUSE
Okay, well, that should be enough to keep you busy until I send out the
next issue and, for those of you who are wondering, yes, I'm still working
on the LONG OVERDUE print issue of Spotlight. I'm an interview or two away
from getting it finished. I guess I spent too much time away from doing my
own thing. That's probably part of the reason why it has taken me so long
to get it done. But, the musical press in this area really sucks and I'm
really looking forward to giving them something new to check out. I know
I've been talking about it for a long time now. But, believe me, it's
coming. So, until next time, there's three words you need to
remember...support independent music!
SPOTLIGHT
c/o Paul Autry
PO BOX 227
SHAMOKIN, PA 17872
http://lykoszine.co.uk
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http://www.ptmfanclub.com
http://www.altarnative.com
http://www.parocks.com/spotlight
http://www.courtneysmusicsite.com
http://www.ballbusterhardmusic.com
MSN: Spotlight_Zine
ISON LIVE RADIO: http://www.isonliveradio.com