Jeff Scott Soto & Joel McIver guest on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 450 - Sons of Morbid

This week we talk with Jeff Scott Soto about the latest Sons of Apollo release MMXX plus everything else he’s got going. After that we welcome back Joel McIver to give us the story on his the new book he did with David Vincent, “I Am Morbid”. All that plus a lot of discussion on this weeks show.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always
Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Jeff Scott Soto from Sons of Apollo on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 361 - Sons of Apollo

We’re ending 2017 with a double header. First up we bring you Jeff Scott Soto discussing “Psychotic Symphony” the debut release from Sons of Apollo a killer new band featuring former Focus on Metal guests Billy Sheehan, Mike Portnoy, and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal as well as Dream Theater alum Derek Sherinian and of course Jeff on vocals. Don't just put these guys on the prog shelf based on the members. These guys turned out an album that seamlessly blends elements of prog, metal, classic rock and hard rock into one killer debut album. Did I mention this a band not a project? Look for these guys to be out on tour in 2018.

Check em' out at: SonsofApollo.com/

Also up this week we have a talk with guitarist Stuart Smith about his band Heaven & Earth’s fourth release “Hard to Kill”. These guys have cooked up a nice brew of classic inspired hard rock loaded with tasty hooks.

Get more info and merch at HeavenandEarthband.com/

Don't forget after this episode we'll be taking our annual winter break but we'll be back to bringing you new episodes in February!!

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Billy Sheehan & RavenEye's Oli Brown Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 342 - Billy Sheehan & Oli Brown

Bassist extraordinaire Billy Sheehan graces us with his presence this week as he calls in to talk about the latest from Mr Big “Defying Gravity” and Winery Dogs “Live in Santiago”. 

Also this week we have Oli Brown from UK band RavenEye calling in while on tour here in the states for their first full length Frontiers release “Nova”.

Track of the week is form our friends in Broken Teeth off their latest EMP release “4 On The Floor”

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Mike Orlando of Adrenaline Mob on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 335 - We The People

Adrenaline Mob just released their third full lengther ”We The People” and this week we have none other than guitarist Mike Orlando on the show to talk about that and much more. Check out adrenalinemob.com for upcoming tour dates and more. 

Also on the show this week we welcome vocalist Austin Dickinson from British young guns As Lions (aslionsband.com). These guys have been touring the crap out of their latest "Selfish Age" and we managed to catch them while driving to their next date.

Track of The week is from the self titled release from Swiss metal sensation Burning Witches. Check out their campaign at Pledgemusic.com/projects/burningwitches

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Just posted: Mike Portnoy on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 291 - Mike Portnoy

After several missed connections we FINALLY were able to get an interview with the always busy Mike Portnoy.The guys currently in six bands so we gotta cut him some slack.

The best place to keep up with all things Portnoy is at mikeportnoy.com/

Here's some Hello Kitty action from Mike

And here's Mike with some usual bit of kit

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

METAL ALLEGIANCE - announce new EP scheduled for August 12th!

METAL ALLEGIANCE have announced they will release a special EP, entitled »Fallen Heroes«, on August 12, 2016. The band united to pay homage to the 3 legends -Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie, and Glenn Frey - who impacted not just their lives but the world as well. 

"The end of 2015 and most of 2016 has been a brutal year with many of our heroes passing," comments Mark Menghi. "When Portnoy called me in January to alert me that Glenn Frey had passed, I literally broke down. That night after having a few Tequila Sunrises in Glenn's honor, a lightbulb went off... We're going to record a few tunes to honor our fallen heroes. I called back Mike that evening and asked him what he thought and the next day we were in the studio recording. By weeks end, all guitars, drums and bass were complete. I can't begin to explain the influence that Glenn Frey, Lemmy, and David Bowie had on me. Each of their music has helped me immensely during some real dark periods of my life and not to mention their influence on me as a musician and songwriter. Lemmy is God, Glenn is King and David is the Architect."

Alex Skolnick comments: "These brilliant artists have an extensive catalogue that is sometimes on the softer side (with the exception of MOTÖRHEAD, of course). So when it came to THE EAGLES & BOWIE, we specifically chose tunes of theirs that are riff-based and translatable to high energy arrangements. For Lemmy, we immediately crossed out 'Ace Of Spades' (great tune but the last thing the world needs is yet another cover version) and chose 'Iron Fist,' which we already had a good handle on from playing live and to us is every bit as much a signature MOTÖRHEAD tune."

"I'm really excited to be a part of the »Fallen Heroes« EP," comments Alissa White-Gluz. "I think we have all felt the weight of losing so many great musicians this year. I think these songs are a cool way to pay tribute to a few people who contributed so much to the world of music and showcase a different side of ourselves."

Recorded at Conclave Studios in New York City, »Fallen Heroes« was produced by Mark Menghi and Alex Skolnick. The album was mixed by Jay Ruston in Los Angeles, CA and mastered at Sterling Sound New York City by Ted Jensen. The initial sketch of the artwork was created by Mark Menghi and Stephen Thompson (ANTHRAX) and was later finalized by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

Track list for »Fallen Heroes«:

01. Iron Fist (feat. Troy Sanders)
02. Suffragette City (feat. Mark Osegueda)
03. Life In The Fast Lane (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)

Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

METAL ALLEGIANCE took the news of Lemmy's passing very hard as the bands very first gig was on MOTÖRHEAD's first Motörboat Cruise. It was on that boat where the idea to write a record together and carry the MA flag as a brand/band rather than a sporadic, special event show... all of us in MA are humbly grateful for the opportunity that team MOTÖRHEAD gave us.

In late 2015, the band scheduled a West Coast string of intimate club dates with a stop as the world-famousWhisky A Go-Go. The year concluded with the band heartbroken saying goodbye to their beloved friend. They later found out that his funeral and memorial services would be held the day of their performance. The band was asked by their tour agent who is also MOTÖRHEAD's agent, Lemmy's management, close friends of his, and the owner of the Rainbow and Whisky to incorporate a tribute which of course, they obliged. The day of their performance, Sunset Blvd. was shut down and their bus was parked on a street filled with tears, madness, partiers and a sea of mourning metal heads. They said goodbye to their friend that evening with help from MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee amongst a ton of other special guests.

The next day they played their final show at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Mid-set they were informed that David Bowie had passed. Mark Menghi comments: "I remember coming off stage to trade bass duties with David Ellefson (we would rotate songs) and he stopped me, looked me and Osegueda in the eyes and said "Dude, Bowie just passed away." Literally in mid-set we got that news. I looked at Mark and he was in tears. Not even a minute later, he was on stage telling the Bay Area crowd of the news he just learned. I turned to the side and looked over at Mike Portnoy and he just had his head down with his hands over his head trying to comprehend what Mark was saying. The next few songs was our Lemmy tribute and tears rolled off all of our eyes while paying tribute to one while learning of the passing of another."

METAL ALLEGIANCE live:
11.08. USA Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
14.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air

Order METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut here: http://nblast.de/MetalAllegiance

DOLL SKIN To Support METAL ALLEGIANCE on West Coast Shows In January 2016

Arizona-based all-female rock quartet DOLL SKIN to support METAL ALLEGIANCE, the all-star metal band consisting of a rotating cast of musicians, including members of MEGADETH, TESTAMENT on FOUR intimate West Coast shows w/ CAGE, to start off 2016. The West Coast run starts in San Diego on January 7, hits Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and wraps up in San Francisco on January 10.

DOLL SKIN recently confirmed for the ShipRocked Cruise 2016. DOLL SKIN will be performing onboard the ShipRocked Cruise, sailing January 18-22, 2016, from Miami to Costa Maya, Mexico. Alongside bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Seether, Halestorm, Hellyeah,Helmet, to name a few: www.ShipRocked.com

Their new EP "In Your Face" was released in North America on October 30 and will be out in Europe due on December 18, physical & digital via EMP Label Group/Cargo Records. “In Your Face” was produced by David Ellefson (MEGADETH) and mixed by Ryan Greene (NOFX, CHEAP TRICK, LITA FORD).

DOLL SKIN just released a music video for "Family Of Strangers", which can be seen here: http://vevo.ly/mckyQz

Due on December 18 in Europe, "In Your Face" features the following tracks:

01. Family Of Strangers
02. Wring Me Out
03. Let's Be Honest
04. Blind
05. So Much Nothing
06. Weatherman (live)

DOLL SKIN Tour Dates:

December 11, 2015 | Doll Skin @ Last Exit Live (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
January 07 | Ramona Main Stage - San Diego, CA | w/ METAL ALLEGIANCE, CAGE
January 08 | Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NV | w/ METAL ALLEGIANCE, CAGE
January 09 | Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA | w/ METAL ALLEGIANCE, CAGE
January 10 | The Regency - San Francisco, CA | w/ METAL ALLEGIANCE, CAGE
January 18-22, 2016 | Doll Skin @ ShipRocked Cruise, Miami to Costa Maya, Mexico

www.facebook.com/dollskinband
www.dollskinband.com

Just posted: Alex Skolnick and Shawn Drover on this weeks Focus on Metal.

Episode 249 - Metal Defiance

A packed episode this week. First up we have Alex Skolnick giving us the latest on Metal Allegiance ( http://www.metalallegiance.com/ ) then we have Shawn Drover talking about the debut release from Act Of Defiance "The Birth And The Burial" ( https://www.facebook.com/actofdefiancemusic ).

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us Tuesdays on Platinum Rock Radio and be sure to check their schedule because we usually get a repeat run during the week.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio, Metal World Radio,  and now on The Indie Authority

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

The Winery Dogs- Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH, 5/6/14

   I was new to the venue and couldn't believe how small it was. I stood at the very back, right near the front. The stage would have challenged Mike Portnoy's drum kit from his Dream Theater days. I couldn't tell how big his kit was as it was kept under wraps until show time but I knew it wasn't the three bass drum multi-faceted beast I was used to seeing him pound years ago. Everything was stripped down. Minimal lighting, no screens or special effects, just three musicians at the top of their game.

   With a very well received album from last year I was curious to see it performed live. I knew they were going to play all of it so that element of surprise was lost. I'm not the kind of guy who checks set lists before going to a concert so I was interested to see what extras they would add. Opening  Elevate and following with the Japanese bonus track Criminal it was obvious that these guys really enjoy playing with one another a fact not lost on the crowd who lapped it all up. Mike Portnoy was the first to speak thanking everyone for coming out and then it was heads down again with another batch of killer tunes.

   As for the solo spots well Billy Sheehan's bass solo was incredible and any wannabe bass player in the crowd probably shook their head and later trudged home and threw their instrument in the bin thinking they could never be that good. Richie Kotzen's spot was the highlight of the night for me. He may be underrated as a singer but that is changing rapidly. With just an acoustic guitar he sang one of his solo songs called Doin' What The Devil Says To Do and you could hear a pin drop in the place. The guy might not converse much with the crowd but boy does he show some emotion with that voice.

   The band finished strong with I'm No Angel, Oblivion and an extended Desire before the inevitable and well deserved encore. I thought they'd played the whole album until I heard the opening chords of Regret followed by a balls out rocking version of Shy Boy sung by Portnoy and Sheehan that had everyone off their seats. Miss them on tour at your peril.

Richie.

  

Review - The Winery Dogs (Loud and Proud Records)

 

   We got to interview Richie Kotzen last week and he seemed a nice enough guy. I couldn't help but feel in some way sorry for him through no fault of his own. He's always been a super-talented guitar player and a much better singer then most give him credit for. The problem with him is timing. He joined Poison in the 90's when that scene was all over bar the shouting. He replaced Paul Gilbert in Mr. Big in the latter part of that decade. The work he did with both was solid, Native Tongue is my favourite Poison album and Actual Size is a great Mr.Big record ten years too late.

   Both bands reform with their original popular line-ups releasing new material and what of Mr. Kotzen? Back to releasing solid solo albums to little or no fanfare, well except Eddie Trunk but I will get back to that in a minute.

   Mike Portnoy and John Sykes go on That Metal Show and announce a new power trio with Billy Sheehan. I was genuinely excited as I loved Sykes playing and he hadn't released anything new in what seemed like forever. Then it became obvious why, it took him forever to put 2 feet in a recording studio. The other 2 couldn't wait so enter Richie Kotzen via prompt from Eddie Trunk. He's not technically following Sykes because they released nothing but he is really.

   I like Eddie, I really do and he's done a lot for hard rock and metal over the years but you'd swear he's in the band. He also has a vested interest in their success because to him he orchestrated all this. I have no doubt he loves the record, for the most part I believe he is honest in his opinions but to him this band is the second coming of Christ.

   Scott hit the nail on the head last week when he said to me it's Mr. Big without Eric Martin singing and Portnoy hitting more drums on a bigger kit. Go listen to the Get Over It and Actual Size albums and tell me I'm wrong. I'm not saying it's crap though. Kotzen, Sheehan and Portnoy are too talented for that it's just been done before.

   There are some great songs here like Elevate, Desire or my personal favourite You Saved Me and yes they play everything impeccably. If anything it showcases how good a singer Kotzen really is on a bigger stage. It's a really good album and at times great. I can't help feeling that Billy Sheehan has the Mr. Big thing in the back of his mind, playing with Sykes would have been new and fresh. As for Portnoy well check back tomorrow to see if he is still on the drum stool.

Richie.

http://www.thewinerydogs.com/

The Mob bumps off another.

 

  Want to get into new bands? I don't mean ankle deep, I mean up to your neck in them. Buy the cds, go to the shows, meet the band and tell them how much you love them, get the merch and on and on. Do what we do and promote the band and before you know it ......pppuuuufffffff.......gone.

   Mike Portnoy, he of a million projects has quit Adrenaline Mob because of the unoriginal "scheduling conflicts" excuse. It was a time management issue. It wasn't so long ago that he was shouting from the rafters that this band was the best thing since sliced bread. That band is now done, to me he was the selling point. Their debut was great. Ousted by Dream Theater for wanting some time off he now has the upcoming Winery Dogs cd to promote. The single is good and I mean really good. Positive signs for the full release in July (out already in Japan if you are that way inclined).

   Reminds me of the decline of Black Country Communion, Joe just didn't want to tour. Well yes he did just not with the other guys. Portnoy will carry on forever searching for what exactly only he can tell you. Lets see how The Winery Dogs goes, I just hope they don't have a gig scheduled the day of his son's baseball game.

   Want to know what my definition of a band is now- it's a project that sells. Try a lot and see what sticks. As for the fan, dabble in the new but stick to the old. All those established bands are surely the best of buds.

   I hope Adrenaline Mob prove me wrong and continue.

http://adrenalinemob.com/