1. art and entertainment
2. music

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
Alexxis Steele
email : [email protected]
Staff Writers
Michael Hendrick
Stormy Boz
Thomas Richmond
Lori Kape
Tom Martini
Gallo Locknez
Stewart Brodian
HQDeceit BBStrange
Tony Angelo
A. Jude
Tim Caso
Marlowe B. West
Rayvin Stites
Roman
Greetings
Photographers
Gary Preis
Larry Dell
Sheri Bayne
Bob Klein
and welcome to our April edition, issue #3 of
On the Cover
Cover design by: Keith Boisvert, Vero Concepts
Steel Notes Magazine!
Layout & Composition
Magazine Design by: Leland Maurello. Lelanda.com
Social Media
Facebook.com/SteelNotesMagazine
Twitter LSteelNotesMagazine
Google+LSteel Notes Magazine
In this issue you will find many things of interest,z such as an
interview with the legendary Punk Clothing fashion designer,
Natasha Adonzio, by Marlowe B. West Takez Manhattan!
Marlowe also gives us a double shot of NYC this month, with his
interview with The Bowery Boys!
Essra Mohawk celebrates 50 years as a recording artist, and
commemorates by the re-issue of Primordial Lovers
Rockin around with Michael Hendrick brings us his interview,
and Cd review of Hank 3
Demon Boys summons his faithful PA followers, by Extraordinary
Interview with Jill Kethel- “ The Mother Chick” from The Danzig
video
Steel Notes Magazine is a monthly magazine
featuring what is happening in the art, music
and enertainment industry.
In The Spotlight -Local artist /poet Wendy Smale
Danger Danger Frontman Ted Poley
Copyright is reserved.
Reposting is whole or in part on other sities
and publication without permission is prohibited.
All right to photos belong to their respective owners. ♫
“Heavy Metal” Ric Savage- Pro Wrestler and Host Of Savage
Family Diggers Tv show
And lots more!
Happy Reading!
© Copyright Steel Notes Magazine 2014
Contents
COLUMNS
2 Letter From The Editor - Alexxis Steele
21
25
44
38
39
Barbell Buzz by Tim Caso
Under The Radar - Lori Kapes
Behind the Scenes - Alexxis Steele
Brodian’s Banter - Stewart Brodian
Rockin’ Around with Michael Hendrick - Interview with Hank III
49 Roman’s Rants - Roman
APRIL FEATURE STORIES
6
12
18
26
35
44
46
Essra Mohawk Commemorates 50 Years in the Recording Industry
“The Reissue of Primodial Lovers”
Interview with Jill Kethel “The Mother Chick”
Danger Danger Frontman Ted Poley
Legendary Punk Clothing Fashion Designer - Natasha Adonzio
The Poetry Corner - Artist / Poet Wendy Smale
Behind the Scenes with Ric Savage
Demon Boy Summons his Faithful PA Followers
OTHER
STORIES
10 April’s Model of the Month - Envi Bardot
22 Artist Review - D’Eclectic
54 Leihigh Valley Music Awards
57 Interview with Tattoo Artist - Eileen Adamson
REVIEWS
29 Concert Review - The Bowery Boys by Marlowe B. West Takez Manhattan
51 Movie / TV - May The Farce Be With Somebody - Kris Kanas
52 CD Reviews - Hank 3 - A Fiendish Threat - Michael Hendrick
58 Book Review - Iain Banks, A Song of Stone
For Ad space contact
Alexxis Steele @
610-871-1886
[email protected]
Hardware
Repair / Replacement
Complete system Setup,
Backup & Restore.
Software Installation
Operating System Repair
Remote Assistance,
Individualized Instruction,
Laptops
Screen / Keyboard
Speaker / Camera
Power Supply
Hard Drive Replacement,
Macintosh Linux
Android Windows
For Ad space contact
Alexxis Steele @
610-871-1886
[email protected]
Steel Notes Magazine 5
6 Steel Notes Magazine
Steel Notes Magazine 7
Essra Mohawk is...“The Secret Diva!” born and raised in Phila., Pa.
You will find Essra’s work in many places, which has appeared on Pop, Dance, R&B, Country and Kid Video chart
Essra Attended Phila. College of Art (major: fine arts) on scholarship.
She was asked to be a staff writer for United Artists, and in her early years her songs were recorded by the Shangri-La’s
, who recorded Essra’s song “I’ll Never Learn” . Soon after that, her song, “The Spell That Comes After” was recorded by
Vanilla Fudge on their “Renaissance” album
Then at age 19, Essra was discovered once again. This time by Frank Zappa who, after hearing her play was so blown
away, he immediately invited her to join his band, The Mothers of Invention, thus making her their first female member.
Within a year he signed her and released her first solo album on Verve. While performing with the Mothers,
She is especially known for singing on Schoolhouse Rock, the popular educational and musical cartoon series that
continues to air on TV. Essra’s vocals are on “Interjections”, “Sufferin’ Till Suffrage”, and “Mother Necessity”
In the late 70’s, she was slated to replaced Grace Slick , after her departure from Jefferson Airplane, but it was decided
that they wanted to go with a male vocalist, thus choosing Mickey Thomas instead.
From 1980-82 Essra performed as a background vocalist with the Jerry Garcia Band, and was also part of a vocal trio for
Carole King. Essra has collaborated with Al Jarreau, Bonnie Bramlett, Mark McEntee of the DiVinyls, Eric Bazilian, and
also sang and recorded with John Mellencamp. She is a sought after songwriter for many artist such as Cyndi Lauper,
Peabo Bryson,Marty Balin, Tina Turner, Lorrie Morgan, and many more.
Hear Essra’s “Stronger Than The WInd” that Tina Turner also recorded. Capitol Records had called it the statement song
of the album that it ironicly never ended up on - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm1G1p...
Essra’s career as a songwriter took off when Cyndi Lauper recorded “Change of Heart” in 1986. It went to #3 on
Billboard’s top 200 in 1987, winning an award from BMI for airplay. The album it was on (“True Colors”) went platinum.
Since then many artists have recorded Essra’s songs and continue to do so.
Her songs were used on the CBS series Joan of Arcadia in 2004 and 2005. “Hotel California” is one of many books about
music that mention Essra.
Essra has been called “one of America’s rarest treasures” by All Music Guide and has released 14 well respected
CDs including PRIMORDIAL LOVERS that was called in Rolling Stone “one of the 25 best albums of all time.” She is
celebrating her 50 years as a recording artist, with the first recording of her song “The Boy With the Way”, at age 16
making her one of the earliest female singer-songwriters. She is commemorating it by the reissue of her Primordial
Lovers cd.
You can find Essra :
https://www.facebook.com/ESSRAMOHAWK
https://www.facebook.com/ESSRAMOHAWK..FanPage
https://www.facebook.com/PrimordialLovers
8 Steel Notes Magazine
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10 Steel Notes Magazine
Emvi Bardot has been modeling for about 4 years but has
been involved in performing arts such as singing, acting, and
dancing since childhood. She enjoys modeling as a way to
express her creativity, gain confidence, and earn extra income.
Emvi enjoys a variety of genres of modeling including pin-up,
promotional, runway, glamour, bridal, fashion, and commercial.
As for runway, she has walked for many great national and
local designers including Sourpuss Clothing, Iron Fist Designs,
Romantic Rock, Project Runway’s Buffi Jashanmal, Diva Davanna, Sibyl Vain, and Jazmin Brown.
In addition, Emvi has graced the pages of a few magazines
including the cover of Delaware entertainment mag Spark, a
beauty editorial in Numinous magazine, and a feature in Eye
Kandy magazine. She has many more publications in the
works for 2014.
You may come across Emvi while shopping online for Hand
Made Ink’s cute and colorful hair accessories, Ty’z Dy’z trendy
dyed clothing, or beautiful modern clothing by Martha Emmanuel. Emvi’s outgoing and engaging personality aid her in promotional modeling as another area of expertise. Recently she
was a promo model for the Hallmark Channel, hand selected
to represent their programs. Emvi is looking forward to great
things in the coming months including modeling in Harrisburg
Fashion Week, These Colors Don’t Run Benefit Fashion Show,
publications being released, and of course walking the catwalk
for the Pin-Up Fashion Show at Steel Notes Magazine party!
You can see more of Emvi’s portfolio at
http://www.modelmayhem.com/emvibardot ♫
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12 Steel Notes Magazine
Interview with Jill Kethel “The Mother Chick”
Q: Jill where are you from?
Jill: Wellll, let’ssee...I was born in Scranton,
PA because my ‘earth’-parents both worked
at Capital Records, which had offices there
at the time.
They divorced, however when I was 5. I
was sent to Catholic School there, up to 8th
grade, at which point my Mom re-married a
NYC ladies sportswear ‘big-business’ man.
Great Jewish guy. Moved us to Fort Lee,
NJ, and I went to Public High School there.
Later Fairleigh Dickinson University, and
stayed in that area for almost 30 years.
So I guess I’d say I’m more ‘from’ New Jersey!
Q: You, were a free-lance model and
dancer in the NYC/NJ area, who discovered you, and offered you a role in an
MTV music video and what band was it
for?
Jill: Hmm...I’ll have to break this question down, because it requires four different
answers. (I’m very specific about stuff, so
follow along best you can).
OK then: I had been modeling while still in
HS, and was very active in the NYC ‘club
scene’. (remember my step-father is a fashion industry guy). I spent the night of my
HS prom...at Studio 54 hanging out in their
unforgettable balcony indulging in all sorts of
illicit antics with Liza Minelli, Keith Richard,
and Andy Warhol for example. I had appeared in a low-budget film called ‘The Night
People’, had photos done with awesome
photographers (such as Leif Schiller), and
was also featured in the Xenon (club) Calendar, for the month of May! Sandwiched right
between Mick Jagger with Jerry Hall (June)
and Truman Capote (April).
I was friends with top models, musicians,
designers, etc., so they loved to put me in
their work.
Patti Hansen, for example, brought me with
her to the filming of ‘They All Laughed’ (Peter
Bogdonavich), stuck roller skates on me, and put me in the Roxy ‘Roller Disco’ scene in that movie.
‘Free Lance’ modeling kept me incredibly busy, as we see! lol! As for dancing, yeah, I had taken all the
usual classes (ballet, jazz) growing up. I loved rock music, having grown up with a record company exec
(my Dad was Capital accountant...eventually transitioned to the Apple division, who of course is the Bea-
Steel Notes Magazine 13
tles). He loved Johnny Cash, and I had all those records, plus
3 Dog Night, which I was dancing to in our PA living room, in my
footsie PJs haha! So eventually, with the advent of the amazing 80’s genres...metal in particular, I began to dance in clubs, in
NJ...’GoGo Bars’, back then were cool. Girls on stage with bikinis
& heels, or cute outfits. They blasted rock music, and I’d get
paid by the club, plus tips! I drove a red Firebird with T-Tops, and
spent weekends at the beach (dancing at night).
But...it was fun then. There was no ‘lap-dance’ shit, or physical
contact with customers. At least where I was booked. I really do
love to ‘dance’! OK, moving on...
‘Who discovered’ me? If you mean getting me into ‘show biz’, I
guess my parents. But, I also know that Howard Stein (RIP) who
owned Xenon, and Mark Beneke (the intimidating Studio 54 doorman) were directly responsible for getting me introduced to all the
‘right paople’ back then! (See Paragraph’s 1&2 here) lol So to
them “Thank you guys”!.
Now to the MTV video...An actor friend of mine, in NJ, referred
me to a casting call for a ‘Rock-Video’ being made, in 1988. The
band was ‘Danzig’, which was at the time, the newest brainchild
of Glenn Danzig, who had been steadily building his legacy, in the
music world, as the originator, and leader of the Misfits.
Having been to Misfits shows, in NYC and totally blown away by
what I’d seen, heard and experienced, I knew I HAD to get picked to be in this video.
I had met and introduced myself to Glenn, at a Misfits show, years before, and wondered if he would remember
me. I wen’t to the audition, and it went well. His record label/management, at the time, was Def American, and
Rick Rubin. They called me in, and signed me up.
Q:Did you know who Danzig was at the time?
Jill: :Of course. Us ‘rich kids’ from Fort Lee, would dress in our punk/hardcore battle-gear, and ride the ATrains downtown in NYC to follow our favorite killer bands...And we all were very proud that ‘The Misfits’ were
from Lodi! A little blue-collar town, in the same NJ county as Fort Lee.
Thanks to one of my brothers, who had The Misfits cranking, in his room one night, I heard that ‘voice’ (Glenn),
and knew I had to find out where, or who, or ‘what’ it was coming from.So I did. Hell yes, I did!
Q: Tell us all about your experience shooting the video, and what is was about.
Jill: OK...but I’ve been telling this story already, on my You-Tube and Facebook, which of course, I want
everybody reading this to subscribe to and/or ‘Like’ immediately. And read all the information there...in case I
leave something important out here. lol
Anywho...The ‘experience’ can only be described as “An unforgettable journey of my soul...taking me into the
darkest recesses of my past life. Reminding me of who I am, why I am here now. And best of all, where it all
leads up to”.
At the time, much of it didn’t really make sense. I just thought it was cool to be in the video, and get on TV.
haha It had been pulled by MTV, and there was no You-Tube then, so I figured that was that....but when the
internet exploded, and ‘I’ resurfaced in public media...it began to make sense.
14 Steel Notes Magazine
The meaning is really open to interpretation, I suppose. To Glenn, it was his ‘bitch-slap’ to the hung-up people
and especially parents who had begun to impose ‘parental control’ guidelines, censorship, and tried to ‘control’
the music he (and many others) was releasing. But much, much deeper than that...
It represented a mockery of an age-old ‘Jewish’ ritual, done at the most solemn day of their observance: Yom
Kippur. The day of atonement. The day when the ‘guilt’ of a multitude of people would be ‘washed away’ by
the blood of an animal (the chicken in this case). The blood was sprinkeld on one of two goats, brought to the
‘priest’. The one goat, chosen to ‘bear’ or ‘carry’ the guilt/sin/punishment for the rest of humanity, was chased
‘into the wilderness’. Banned and ostracized from any further help, pity, provision, or attention. That ‘chosen
goat’, became known to the Hebrews as ‘the scapegoat’. It had to suffer, instead of the ones who deserved
to. In the ‘Mother’ video, if you watch closely, I was NOT the girl being sacrificed on that altar. I was Glenn’s
‘assistant, dancing and splitting that chicken. But then...at the end...a ‘switch’ was made off camera, and ‘I’ became that sacrifice. That scapegoat. That one who was to be sent into ‘the wilderness’, for an undetermined
amount of time. It was a test. And I passed it, for sure. ;) lol
Q: What was it like working with Glen Danzig, and did you ever date him as a result?
Jill: (Laugh) You mean I ‘worked’ with him?? It was more like an incredible glimpse of the genious, which he
is. There is tremendous supernatural power that flows, when such a creative mind has the right stuff to work
with, and aside from being flat-out prophetic, with his dark, brooding lyrics, he is actually what I consider an ‘old
friend’. And that is spiritually speaking. And by that I mean a ‘very’ old friend...hehheh.
And yeah, we got along quite well. It was a blast, and ‘charmed’ would be a great under-statement.
After the video, the new band ‘Danzig’ started touring. I had to keep busy with work ‘in the wilderness’ haha.
Eventually, he moved to LA, and it all just had to go the way it went.
Q: How did you feel about becoming part of 80’s rock history , being a part of The Mother” video?
Jill: Welll...at the time (‘88) it hadn’t become ‘history’ yet. (Laugh) But it sure was fun. And I have my original
videos (on ‘VHS tapes’). It was cool, when my brothers & friends were like: “Holy shit! You’re on MTV”.
But I soon realized that putting that on a resume’ (Remember this is 1988) didn’t get me a lot of industry ‘work’,
for sure. Please refer to that stuff about the video being banned, and the censorship. Haha...’Now”, decades
later...it’s really funny, and very, very cool to consider that it’s a dynamic reflection on how the entertainment
world, music, and society in general have evolved.
I’m flattered, I guess that somehow that video, and my role in it is partially responsible.
Q: Describe who your character “The Mother Chick” is.
Jill: OK well that should be obvious. People were wondering after the video re-launched via You-Tube, about
the plot, characters, etc. So I figured that since I am the ‘chick’ in the ‘Mother’ video, I would call the character
‘TheMotherChick’.
Now parallel to this development of my character, I had begun to study various ‘religions’, and cultures. Having
learned I am ‘Jewish’, via my Lithuanian mom, I studied with a famous rabbi, of Conservative Judaism. Believe
it or not...there is in Jewish mystics writings, and Kabbalah, the female element of God. And guess what she’s
called?
(You got it ... the ‘Mother Chick’). lol And I am not kidding. The Spiritual world, and our identities in it, will continue to re-surface in each of our incarnations. I am REALLY digging this one!
I started my own You-Tube channel, in 2009. I decided to use that character, to tell the’ children’ the story, and
as you must know, as a tribute to the man who literally has brought out the best in me, during this life.
Still a dancer, there’s a lot of my favorite 80s songs there too. The ‘Headbanger’s Workout’ video landed me
a spot last season on Tosh.O! I was featured in his Halloweeen Special episode (10/29/13). He called me a
Steel Notes Magazine 15
‘haunting piece of ass’. And we talked about workouts, aging...and of course, Satan. ;)
Lately I’ve begun to compose informative videos, about my personal identity, soul-journey, and worldview. Those are called ‘Weekend Newsletters’ Or ‘Updates’, and I want everybody to watch those, ya’
hear? And mostly, buy the music if you like it. Yes, i-Tunes, Amazon, the label website etc.
Q: What else are you doing right now, and what are your other interests?
Jill: Well, I’m still for some un-godly reason, living here in NJ. I can’t tolerate cold weather, and
have always traveled over the years to hot climates. I have vowed to ‘re-locate’ and get away from
this Northeast zone every year, for a long time. But it just never happened yet. lol
I’ve been working over the past 6 years here with a subsidiary of the Cruise America RV rentals. It’s
fun, and interesting putting people ‘on tour’.
More recently, I’ve held positions in corporate food service field. I worked at Merck Pharmaceutical
in their Corporate Dining division for example. Part-time work is a necessity for me, especially in the
‘hard-seasons’ like NJ winters.
In between ‘show biz’, which I truly enjoy, there is rent, car insurance, and for those kind of things, I
always keep some kind of steady income.
My interests, are too many to list. lol So I’ll give you a few of the main ones. Horses! Yes, they’ve
been a part of my life for sure. Owned ‘em, trained ‘em, competed ‘em, done it all. Always will.
Next, and obviously, music. Rock/Metal mostly. I still dance, and sad there isn’t much of a club life,
like it used to be. That’s partly what I do my You-Tube vids for. Lots of people write in and agree.
Anyway...
I love to read. Real books, and not internet Kindle shit. I’m a pretty private person, when not at work,
and although I’m well educated, a lot of my knowledge has come via personal studies, research, and/
or classes. I could say I’m self-taught in many ways.
I also take kick-boxing classes! Been doing that on & off over 10 years now. My trainer was friekin’
SCARED when I went to my first class! He’s Korean, and his name is Kyme (pronounced Kim). He
has the usual Asian accent. I made him turn the music in the studio up, and kept up with him (we line
up and watch in the mirror). He was getting tired, and it became like a little impromptu ‘spar’ between
he & I. At the end, most of the class was sitting on the mats...he & I were still going. Haha...finally he
just turned around and said: “OK ...OK...the ride is ovuhh...evwebuddy go home”! We’re both laid out
panting, sweating and laughing. I’ll never forget it. We still go at it now & then.
Also, a huge interest of mine, personally is world-affairs. I spent 4 months in Israel, in 2012, and
served in the IDF while there. I’m proud to be a US citizen, and looking forward to the establishment
of global governance, the abolishment of ‘religion’, and of course, re-building & restoring this world.
Lastly, I’m very involved in ‘animal welfare’. I have a particular focus on animals used and ultimately
‘abused’ in entertainment. Especially the circuses. It’s time we stop finding these outdated, archaic
means of ‘entertainment’ suitable or necessary. Really, please google ‘circus animal abuse’. Read
the stories, watch the videos. And be honest when you ask: “Can I really be amused, after knowing
this?: Anyway, the US is one of the last nations to just abolish it. Matter of time.
Anyway...I’m involved in a lot of cool interesting stuff.
16 Steel Notes Magazine
Q What are your plans for the future?
Oh, I could never answer this one! (Laugh) I learned lonng ago, to never make ‘plans’ for the future.
I just let things happen, and ‘present’ themselves to me. Like opening a present, every day.
Although, I should not let you think I do not have ‘goals’. I have many. And th
ey’re all larger than life, which is why I’m a bit of a work-a-holic. ‘Ten minutes from now’, is my ‘immediate future’. And my goal for that is to be finished with you here, and heading out for some good Thai
food! Next Tuesday, at exactly 8:17 am, I would like to take charge of the entire planet, and straighten
everything out. lol
Q Where can fans find you?
A: For now, go to You-Tube. My channel is called TheMotherChick. I also have two fan pages on
Facebook. Mainly TheMotherChick is my fan-page. I also created a Page for my world-views, opinions about the necessity of abolishing organized ‘religions’, my personal soul-journey and spiritual
identity. That one’s called: JesusIsJe*Wish ! (And the *W character is pronounced ‘S’ in Hebrew).
So I’m ‘Je*Wess’ ! And it’s copyrighted, researched, and true.
I do own a website/domain, but haven’t launched it yet. I’m so busy, you see ... \../ ;) \../ ♫
Steel Notes Magazine 17
18 Steel Notes Magazine
Ted Harris Poley (born January 5, 1964 in
Englewood, New Jersey) is a rock singer and
drummer most famous as being the frontman for the band Danger Danger, performing fan
favorite songs like Bang Bang, and I still think About You.
Now living in Hellertown, Lehigh Valley, PA, Ted enjoys performing out on the road , both with the band, and
also as a solo artist, or duo, Poley/Rivera, with Vic Rivera.
He is currently touring with this years 2014 Escape to Monster Island, Monsters of Rock Cruise which runs
from March 29th, until April 2nd.
The cruise routes from Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas, and then onto Monster Island, where he is joined by
other 80’s glam rock bands like Ratt, Cinderella, Winger, Firehouse, and Tesla to name a few.
Ted joined New Jersey progressive rock band Prophet as a drummer. They released their first album in 1985.
Poley also sang lead vocals on some of their songs. In 1987, while working with the band’s second album, he
was approached by Bruno Ravel and Steve West to join Danger Danger and he accepted.
With Danger Danger,
Poley enjoyed much
success as the band
caught the late surge
wave of 80s hair
metal. Together they
released two albums
(Danger Danger and
Screw It!) and toured
with bands like KISS,
Alice Cooper, and
others.
In 1993, he finished
recording Danger
Danger’s third album,
Cockroach, but was
surprisingly fired from
the band. They hired
another singer (Paul
Laine) and attempted
to release the album
with new vocals,
but Poley sued and
prevented the album
from being released.
The same year, he formed a new band called Bone Machine with guitarist John Allen III (Tommy Lee’s band.)
In 1994, they released their first album titled Dogs. In 1995, they toured the UK and released a live record titled
Search and Destroy. In 1996, they released their last album titled Disappearing, Inc. The album is noted for
featuring an eerie premonition of what would happen in the 2001 9/11 attacks in the cover art.
In 2000, he joined the band Melodica with Gerhard Pichler on guitar. As a band, they released several albums:
USAcoustica, and Lovemetal among them. During this time, Poley returned to U.S. and played for the first time
in seven years.
Steel Notes Magazine 19
In 2001, Danger Danger finally released the album Cockroach after reaching an agreement with Epic Records.
The album featured two discs: one with the Poley vocals, and the other with the new vocals by the band’s new
singer, Paul Laine.
In 2002, Poley’s band (now known as Poley/Pichler) released an album titled Big. This album featured Joe Slattery on bass guitar, with whom Poley had played before in Lush back in the early 80s.
In 2004, he rejoined Danger Danger and started
touring with them again, and In 1998, 2000,
2004, 2007 and 2011, Poley recorded some
songs for Sega games in the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise. His contributions to the series
include “Lazy Days...Livin’ In Paradise,” the
theme of Big in Sonic Adventure; “Escape from
the City,” the theme of the “City Escape” stage
from Sonic Adventure 2; “We Can,” Team Sonic’s
Theme in Sonic Heroes; and “Race to Win,” the
theme of Sonic Rivals 2. Poley also worked on
two remixes of “Escape from the City” for Sonic
Generations; one in collaboration with Cash
Cash and one solo remix with Jun Senoue on
guitar.In 2008, rock & roll comic C.C. Banana
recorded a song called “Ted Poley,” released on
the album “KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent.” The song is actually a parody of
the Kiss song “Unholy,” inspired by the story of
Poley’s first encounter with Kiss lead singer Paul
Stanley.
Releases
Mr. Speed
Hollywood Wild
Prophet (1985)
Danger Danger (1989)
Down And Dirty Live (1990)
Screw It! (1991)
Cockroach (2001)
Revolve (2009)
Bone Machine
Dogs (1994)
Search and Destroy (Live, 1995)
Live in the UK (VHS & VCD, 1996)
Disappearing, Inc. (1996)
Melodica
Long Way From Home (2000)
USAcoustica (2001)
Lovemetal (2001)
Livemetal (Live, 2002)
Live in Springfield
Poley/Pichler
Big (2002)
Ted Poley
Collateral Damage (2006)
Smile (2007)
Greatestits Vol.1 [2-CD] (2009)
Pleasure Dome
For Your Personal Amusement (2008)
Poley/Rivera
Only Human (2008)
♫
20 Steel Notes Magazine
by Tim Caso
Barbell Buzz
The other day an
experienced CrossFit athlete asked
me an interestingly odd question: “When you
go heavy, your
technique has to
fall apart, right?”
Slightly taken
aback, I looked
around waiting for
the Twilight Zone
music to come on
or for the Candid
Camera crew to
turn the lights on.
When none of this
happened, I realized that my colleague was actually
serious and had gotten the whole concept of weight
lifting backwards. In his world, you lift heavy and
hope for the best. If you get crushed now and then,
that’s just a cost of doing business. In my world, you
stress technique so that you can go heavy. I train a
couple of young ladies in the sport of Olympic lifting,
and throughout our sessions, I stress
that they perform perfect reps every
time. They should never “mail it in.“
This focus helps them be progress
further and faster than they would
if they simply went out there and
“hoped for the best.” That’s how I
want you to train too!
So let’s get started. Last time, I told
you about “compound exercises”
and how working large muscle
groups with lots of weight will get
you where you want to go. I’m going to start with an old favorite: The
Bench Press. You’ve seen just
about everyone do this one, and
just about everyone does it wrong!
Yes, this simple lie-down-flat-and-push-up exercise is
butchered by most everyone. The first mistake is the
instruction to lie down flat. Then the average bench
presser’s feet are going in every direction. Lying
down flat does not produce much of a base. Question: would you prefer to build your home on a bed
of sand or on a bed of granite? “Granite. Duh, Tim,” I
can hear you say. Right. So here’s how you’re going to build a strong base from which to perform this
exercise.
First, lie on the bench and get your eyes dead
even with the bar. For now, start with a grip a bit
wider than your shoulders. Now, here’s the good
part—the part that is going to make your base rock
solid and get you bench pressing far more than
you thought possible—pull your face close to the
bar and, at the same time, arch your back as hard
as you can. Remember, the more you stretch, the
better you’ll be able to hold this position. By the
way, you’re going to want to stretch between sets
too, to keep your back nice and limber. Once you
have a strong arch, come back down to the bench.
Now, walk your feet towards you so that your feet
are just past your knees. Finally, push your feet
very hard into the floor. The only body parts that
should be touching the bench are your upper back
and your rear end—and that’s all. Forget about that
“lying flat” stuff. You want to feel as though you are
looking up at the bar, almost as if you were on a
decline. You’re now ready to go.
Now for the push-up part. This technique is a bit unconventional (which
is a really good thing!) and somewhat counterintuitive. The push-up
part of the lift is actually a shallow
arc that starts just above the nippleline and finishes in line with your
nose. The reason for this arc is that
this trajectory keeps the weight over
your center of gravity and keeps
your largest and strongest muscles
engaged throughout the entire
movement. Otherwise, if you push
it straight up, you will be pushing
the bar away from your center- ofgravity, and you will overstress your
shoulders.
Even if you are an experienced lifter, break your
weights down and take the time to re-learn this
lift. Your physique and body strength will improve
dramatically once you’ve mastered it. Once you get
the hang of it, you’ll notice the bar start jumping off
your chest! ♫
Steel Notes Magazine 21
22 Steel Notes Magazine
D'Eclectic was founded June 19, 2012 by the
dynamic duo Axel Alinsub (Filipino) and
Garrette Simmonds (Jamaican)
both are prolific vocalists,
songwriters, dancers and Executive Producers of all their songs. The name D'Eclectic derived from
the fact that their intentions is not to limit themselves with the type of music that they do, but will be
experimenting with various genres such as; Pop, R&B, Reggae, and Jazz.
Their mainstream pop style amalgamated with the uniqueness and similarities from Asian and Caribbean backgrounds and influences of American culture as made them an excellent crossover duo for
the U.S. and international market. They don't even speak the same language but they are able to
make music together that has touched the hearts and minds of many so far.
When "Escape" hit YouTube in August 2012 it brought about a shift in genre but was equally quickly
received and loved by listeners near and far. Leading to raved reviews and a steady rise in the duo's
popularity form their growing fan base. This has opened some doors with invitation for D'Eclectic to
perform in various venues in the state of New York such as the famous Nuyorican Poets Cafe in Manhattan and Payag Cafe in Queens.
In December 2012 D'Eclectic collaborated with Recording Artist SammyBritish on their Single "Missing You" receiving worldwide attention, acceptance and positive reviews from fans, and radio djs.
D'Eclectic has also been interviewed on multiple radios stations.
As well they recently received a sponsorship from FIAT USA via Reverbnation. The sponsorship has
provided distribution of their first EP on major digital distributors as well their Electronic Press Kit, thus
their future in music look bright.
In addition D'Eclectic got an opportunity to produce a radio show called "D'Eclectic Synergy" hosted
by Tiesha Williams a fun and spunky presenter.
The show will include playing indie music as well as interviewing upcoming artist, but the show is not
only limited to musicians but to all persons who has a passion for the arts whether it be dance, poetry,
drama or fashion in the underground world. A show for independent artist by independent artist
The show will be heard on WWW.caribriddims.
com every fourth friday of each month. The station is owned and operated by Miss Anika Ayanna.
D'Eclectic Synergy is also in association with IN-DVibe, managed by SammyBritish.
The duo is set to release their first EP in the summer of 2014 with the lead single S&S, which has
received raved reviews thus the duo will be doing
music video for the single so stay tuned to this duo
becuase they have a lot to offer and will be making music to touch mind, body and soul of all those
who come in contact with their sound and the cool
guys that they are.
Steel Notes Magazine 23
24 Steel Notes Magazine
Under The Radar
by Lori Kapes
t
e
j
d
a
G
o
G
Go
If you’ve ever been out at a bar on any
given Friday or Saturday night chances are
you’ve seen a cover band perform. Some
cover bands have a theme, Beatles covers
or 80’s covers, or sometimes they play an
amalgamation of different genres. Reading,
Pennsylvania five-piece cover band, Go Go
Gadjet, doesn’t just perform the latest hits
from the Billboard charts they also put on
an intensely energetic show no matter the
venue.
The band, comprised of Jeff Tromell (Lead
Vocals, Keys, Guitar), newest member Eric
Henkels (Lead Vocals, Keys, Guitar), Nate
Myotte (Bass, Vocals), Chris Schwartz
(Guitar), and Mike Intelisano (Drums,
Vocals), has been quietly making waves
up and down the eastern seaboard for the
better part of 8 years. Their sets covers
the gamut of musical genres. At Visions
Nightclub in the Sands Casino, located in Bethlehem, Pa., they play recent hits like Macklemore &
Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us” and Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop.” During their nightclub sets they’re
accompanied by huge neon lights and a big LCD screen showcasing whichever song they’re currently
covering. When playing smaller venues, like The Phyrst in State College, Pa., they may not have the
shock and awe of the neon lights behind them but they still manage to bring out their big guns, barrel
drums.
The band plays regularly at some venues and sporadically at others, like the Bryce Jordan Center
in State College, Pa. Every February for the past 6 years, Go Go Gadjet has played at the Penn
State Dance Marathon (also known as THON) – Penn State students raise fund and awareness for
families affected by pediatric cancer which then culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance
marathon. The band has performed during the final hour of THON, when the Bryce Jordan Center is
near capacity with 16,000+ people in attendance at the free event, for the last several years. When
the band bangs on those barrel drums it is a sight to see up close, but when the guys bring them out
during their performance at THON they really bring the house down.
Go Go Gadjet hasn’t always been playing feverishly and consistently. They’ve been slowly creating a
name and brand for themselves along with crafting their sound. A lot of cover bands bring their own
spin to old and new favorites, but Go Go Gadjet does things a little differently. Every January the band
hides away to update their sound for their upcoming year of performances, but even after that every
week they add a couple new songs to their ever changing sets. This band is a definite crowd-pleaser
especially when they do their “Power Hour” which consists of sixty 90’s songs in one hour.
Thanks to their exposure to huge audiences every THON and their constantly changing and insanely
creative performances this band gets to travel and perform just like any other band out there. They
may not create their own music or have millions of fans, but their 15,000+ fans on Facebook will tell
you that their shows are not to be missed. ♫
Steel Notes Magazine 25
Marlowe B. West
Interview With
Natasha Adonzio
26 Steel Notes Magazine
MBW: Hi Natasha. I recently caught a
classic Andy Warhol Punk Rock flick
in which you starred with Richard Hell.
Pray tell the details. We all would like to
hear stories about working with Andy
and how you got the part.
Natasha: It was back in 1977 when I was
designing for Revenge the infamous punk
shop. I would dress in my up everyday in
my outrageous outfits. They were looking for
extras but when they saw me they wanted
me in several scenes dressed up in my
punk outfits. Andy was at that time was just
getting really getting famous & I was very
excited to be in the film with him but he was
shooting on different days, so I didn’t get
to meet him & I was happy just to be in the
same film.
MBW: Your boutique on St. Marks Place,
in the East Village of New York City, was
a major beehive of same activity during
the outbreak of the Punk Pock scene. If
you would care to devulge any of your
most exciting and fave memories, I know
we have a very interested audience sitting on the edge out there.
Natasha: My most exciting memories were,
all the attention I was getting from the
media, lots of magazines were shooting my
stuff, TV talk shows invited me to do fashion
shows on air, international magazines found
me & we were worldwide. Interesting people
& the famous celebrity’s would stop by & my
store was getting famous.
MBW: I do not stand alone when I say
“I love your style.” Extremely sexy and
cuttingly sharp as a razor. You definitely
have your own definition of the word
FASHION! Let’s hear it!
Natasha: I never wanted to follow main
stream fashion, I thought it wasn’t exciting
enough for me to design for the masses. I
wanted to use unconventional materials like
PVC, spandex, fake fur, plastic, industrial
zippers, chains, I designed my own prints &
had them silk screened. My customers were
downtowners, musicians, all artistic people
knew about me.
MBW: I have had the most fortunate
opportunity to attend and photograph
Steel Notes Magazine 27
several of your outrageous fashion shows this past year.
For instance, at the Parkside Lounge, On Bowery, your
Valentine’s Day Massacre was quite memorable to me. It
was Sin-Sational! The legendary Donna Destri was your
guest model. It’s the lethal combination of your tough
chick, punked out models, your eye-popping, sizzling,
ensembles and the live, hot and raw, authentic, NYC Rock
‘n Roll that created such a memorable atmosphere.
Natasha: Thanks Marlowe, I always like to shock my audience.
MBW: The elegant, uptown, Sky Room, was more luxurious and cosmopolitan. The DL on Delaney and Ludlow
lent an aire of avante garde, complete with an ultra massive and blinding paparazzi.. More recently was the surprize of a dazzling new Club 39 turning out to be a most
beautiful and enjoyable night out. I know we all had a
blast. Your show was given more organization by the
professional team there launching Illusion Magazine. Your
new line is ‘killah’ and the live Debbie Harry cover performance supplied the perfect catwalk music to accompany a
serious, dynamite, Punk Rock Fashion Show. Where is all
this leading to, Natasha? What kind of gears do you have
turning in that fiercely creative mind of yours?
Natasha: Well Marlowe, right now the way fashion is going, if
u can’t produce in China, then it’s very hard to get out there &
sell to other
stores. Being that I am a designer that has a
hard time at the business & production, end. I am hoping that
I will catch the eye of some mass marketers in me clothing,
that will produce for me, otherwise I will sell from my website
natashanyc.com and just do custom.
MBW: I have never seen anything like your designs anywhere before. Do you mind my asking where your inspiration comes from?
Natasha: Well music definitely inspires me & I am very rebellious by nature so if I can shock then I’m happy. Once I get
going on an idea, then the ideas
just start coming & I have too many
ideas & can’t get to them all….I
just want to keep going & going. It
seems that all I want to do is work, it
makes me happy…
Natasha Adonzio
NatashaNYC.com
973 669 8992
[email protected]
natasha.adonzio
Natasha Adonzio
Natasha Adonzio
28 Steel Notes Magazine
MBW: I have observed you getting bombarded with people
inquiring about purchasing your
items. This would be a good time
for you to let the public know how
and where to find your catalogs,
et cetera.
Natasha: That would be
www.natashanyc.com ♫
Photos by Luigi Scorcia.
BOWERY BOYS
INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS
Steel Notes Magazine 29
Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of all ages
… I am your ring leader … and today I welcome you … one and all … to “Hurry Hurry … Step Right In !!!”
… As I, Marlowe B. West, proceed to take Manhattan … The biggest Big Top of them all … It has been my
quest … and … I take much pleasure in sharing the findings I have been scooping up along the way … on my search
deep into, and for, the innermost and authentic treasures of my most beloved Home Town … I will start from the
heart … where the blood pumps fast and strong … rich to the beat … The Music Of The Street … As I present you
… My dear friends and readers across the globe … with this impending world famous … New York City’s present day
underground favorite … Rock And Roll … No joke … Real deal … Raw, gutsy and straight from the streets of … the
very bowels of … The most incomparable, incorrigible, greatest … and … never say modest or humble … city on earth
… The Bowery Boys … I just have to state one fact … “It’s the truth !!!” … So … Now that we got that out of the way …
I would like you two guys to introduce yourselves to the world …
JOff wilsOn: Greetings, my name is jOff wilsOn and I play guitar and write songs in the Bowery Boys. We are a 4
piece Rock and Roll band in N.Y.C.
Sam Hariss: I’d been playing for about 7 years when the Bowery Boys asked me to join. My previous band, Stihleto,
was in the end stages of falling apart and it was just one of those right place right time kind of deals. A mutual need
was met. I wanted to play in a band that
was fun, straight forward, and gave me
that jingle in me tingle…. and with the
Bowery Boys… I’m a-jinglin’. Luckily for
me, they needed a bassist. Badda Boom
– Badda Bing… it was all well and good,
but once you get passed all that it really
comes down to vibes, and I was happy
to find (and still do) that that’s where we
really come together. When were locked
in jammin, we’re really making some
cool music, also, we laugh a lot, what
more could you want? Joff and Thomaxe
have been a tight unit for some time and
its cool to bounce energy off that. After
bringing in Russ, my old Stihleto drummer, I had rhythm partner back, which
was a really huge step in the right direction. Its more like one gang of four now,
we’re getting ready to record and hopefully hit the road, start motorvation.
Russ Brazello: Hey … I’m the new guy
in the band. Russ Brazello . I joined 3
months ago in December
Russel: I knew about this band through
Sam. He and I were in a band, then I left,
and Sammy was already playing with
the Bowery Boys. And so, they had two
drummers before I joined, and they didn’t
work out. So I got a random phone call
first from Joff then Sam. They told me the
whole thing and ask If I wanted to join
the Bowery Boys. And I agreed. I haven’t
been playing shows in months. I missed
being a part of that. So we started prac-
30 Steel Notes Magazine
ticing, playing gigs, and started to get to know
each other very well. I felt really comfortable
with these guys. We got along so quickly. After
shows, we would get good comments about
our performance. I really had good experiences
playing and hanging out with these dudes. We
have awesome times togethe
Thomaxe: Hey, I’m Thomaxe. I’m the French
guy on rhythm guitar. Now you’re going to ask
how a French guy can be called a Bowery Boy?
Well, I’ve been in NY for 10 years and very
involved –ever since my arrival, and prior to
it- with the music primarily as a writer (amongst
many other scene-related things). Bowery is
also where JOff and I met. That makes me an
adopted son of the L.E.S.(lower east side)•
MBW: Yeah … That’s right ! … ya know … I
was seeking a band for myself … with very
specific specifications I must add … A no
bullsh*t rock band with balls and grit who
knew their sh*t … I searched high and low …
Under, over and inbetween every scene … I
knew you were out there … I could smell it
as I grew closer … Like a werewolf … A vampire for music … I needed you … badly …
but … you didn’t need a singer … You didn’t
need me … Still I have followed your scent …
“The Bowery Boys playing Otto’s Shrunken
Head” ” The Bowery Boys at The Bitter End”
… And on and on and now I’m back … To let
you know … I can really shake ‘em down …
Ha ! … (da da da da da … Do you love me)
… So JOff … How about you and ‘the Boys’
giving us the low down on being an ever
lovin’ Bowery Boy … What is it like being such lucky, talented and sought after young musicians who seem to
just naturally tumble in and out of this scene of scenes … This mad Manhattan music machine ???•
JOff WilsOn: What is it like to be in the Bowery Boys you ask? Well it is a fun journey, we get along quite well and
joke with each other a lot. We are not a main stream band but we are in the process of getting some recordings done
so we can tour a bit in the near future. The New York minutes fly by so fast but it is our plan anyway.
Thomaxe: My previous band, The Gonedaddys, was started from scratch, so it was a completely different deal because we were all part of the creative process right from the start. JOff had played with various incarnations on the
Bowery Boys, and under different names, when I first joined. He already had material for at least 3 records (and I’m
talking about hit songs, no filler). When he played in Rochester, his band The Fugitives was called “The Rock Gods
of Flower City” by a local newspaper (Flower City is a nickname for Rochester). I wasn’t looking for a band when he
offered me to play, but I believe in his songs so much that I couldn’t turn down the flattering offer to be representing
them live on stage. He’s been talking about writing songs together, but I believe that our main goal right now should
be to get these ones heard.
MBW: As a songwriter myself, it interests me as to how differently different bands go about putting a song
together … How’s it go with The Bowery Boys ???
Steel Notes Magazine 31
Bowry Boys Interview Continued....
JOff wilsOn: I am the main songwriter
these days but Thomas and Sam have
some ideas for songs that they will mostly
develop at some point.
To me my songs are like paintings and I
use emotions as colors as well as words.
Sometimes the music comes first and I fill in
the words and sometimes the words come
first so i find the music that fits around them.
Influences very from real life to ideals to fantasy. I have been inspired by trees, people,
Love, Sorrow, Rain, Sun, Angels and demons. My Mother played piano when I was
a weee lad so I grew up with a bit of music
in the house. I started pretending to play the
guitar on a tennis racket when I was about
10 and I got my first one when I was about
12 or 13. I remember the smell of a new
guitar. It was cheap but it had a nice sound
as far as my new ears were concerned.
MBW: And inspiration intriques me as well
… It is a city mad with inspiration of every
sort … What sort of triggers your soul and
drive … Who or what is back there in your
early musical fascination or maybe only last
week or yesterday that lead you here today
???
JOff wilsON: I started out as a loner musician but the energy that happens when a
few instruments get together made me realize I wanted be in a band.
Thomaxe: Dee Dee Ramone, even though I
never met him, is truly the man who lead me
here to NY and because of whom I started playing music. Then there was Brian James (Damned/Lords of the
New Church) who told me somewhere in Europe some 10 years ago to “pick up a guitar and try to do like him”.
I waited a while before following his advice, but here I am doing it in New York City of all places. My other inspirations are Dee Jaywalker (Definitivos/Marky Ramone & the Speedkings) who first taught me bass in Belgium,
and Skinny Bones (Songwriter for the Ramones) who got me to play bass in my first band, the Gonedaddys
, that he was fronting. The Gonedaddys got signed and released an album on CD/LP (Nicotine Rec./Tornado
Ride Rec.) that received raving reviews from all over. It was fun times and I owe Skinny a lot for giving me this
opportunity. Looking back at it I’m very proud of my achievements with the Gonedaddys. Skinny also taught
me how to play guitar. Later on, JOff took over, and his music my main reason/inspiration for playing with the
Bowery Boys. So I’ve only been involved with great people. Music-wise I have very eclectic tastes, so I’m not
stuck in one style or another. As for the Bowery Boys, like JOff said, even though we’ve all been influenced
by our elders, we do not live in the past. My main inspiration is life. Plain and simple. Rock’n Roll has to come
from the heart to be relevant.
MBW: Yeah … I’ll always love Dee Dee. Met him in the dressing room of the Whisky a go go in Hollywood. He was engaged to my friend Chi Chi Connie. When she took off her shades it looked like she
32 Steel Notes Magazine
was wearing some really erotic make-up but he had given her two black eyes. Such passion! She was
one of my chorus girls in NYC. How about your favorite part of being in music… I really love the recording studio the most … but … of course the live performance is really the whole thrill .
JOff wilsOn: The Bowery Boys band is fun for me because we don’t compete with other bands or music
genres. We just are. Music is our passion. We are all inspired by good music through the ages but don’t live in
the past. We have an eye on the future and our feet in the present.
MBW: Aspirations ???
JOff wilsOn: I think we all agree that our immediate aspirations include recording an doing a bit of touring.
MBW: Lets talk about the gigs … What night comes to mind or what had occurred that you think was
your zenith so far … funniest … most rewarding and memorable ???
JOff wilsOn: Our gigs are usually just us going to work when we hit the stage and having a ball. No whacky
stories to tell as yet. Our big thrill is to go and have Chinese food after a show. We are simple like that.
Thomaxe: My favorite gigs with the Bowery Boys so far? One time we played really late in a Brooklyn dive bar,
it was a week night and the booker had not promoted the show…no one was there, but I went back home quite
satisfied after the gig, I played it as if a thousand people were there, because I always keep in mind that I’m
playing for myself. Now, If other people enjoy it, then it’s even better. But I played well that night, and felt happy
for that. Another time, Dee Dee Ramone’s young widow Barbara was in the audience, and she danced to the
whole set right in front of the stage. Then later on, there was our New Year’s Eve show this year, the venue
was packed and Sam and Russ had joined the band at that time. Perfect fit, they had the drive and energy that
the Bowery Boys needed. It finally felt like a real band. Everybody loved us, and having so many strangers
come to you and say that they loved the show…well, that’s a great feeling.
MBW: In one or two words what is New York to you ??? and why ??? What is your favorite thing to do
in New York when you are not out playing a gig ???
JOff wilsOn: New York in 1 or 2 words? Hmmm, “The Rents too damn high”. Ooops, too many words. Ummm,
“Bowery Boys”. because we are playing/representing simple rock and roll music that NYC has been known for
for decades. Personally, when I am not playing I like to paint and grow plants. I used to play chess a lot but not
so much any more.
Thomaxe: New York in two words? How about “New York”, that’s two words ;)…well, let me think…I’d say for
me it would be Love/Hate…or Eros/Thanatos…you know…I came here from Europe with dreams of how it
would be, but then it wasn’t, because time flies by and things evolve. I saw the last remains of what the NYC
scene was disappear one after the other…CBGBs…Continental…Lakeside Lounge…Don Hill’s…etc…You’ve
got all the new expensive buildings and now you have to be filthy rich to live in manhattan if your apartment is
not on rent control. I’m all the way down in a part of Brooklyn where people get shot, and I’m still paying too
much. NYC is fundamentally losing it’s identity while keeping it’s image in people’s mind, very tricky…you love
that image, but you dislike what is actually happening. Now the bars/clubs cater to the College crowd, or to
the Upper class one. Either way Rock’n Roll is losing in it. Everyone I know who plays in touring bands avoid
the NYC stop as they know it won’t pay back their travel expenses. Another issue is that promoters used to be
music fans, they cared about booking good acts, and having quality nights. Now because all they care about
is quick profit they’ll book anyone willing to ‘pay to play’ and who says that they’ll bring 20 people regardless
of style and talent. Your chances to see something that you might like are dropping of 90% in the process.
Chances that people might discover you are dropping just as much…no one wants to pay $10 to see a bunch
of bands that they have not heard of and that are playing different styles of music…now if you are booked after
a really bad band, you can be sure that the room will be cleared by the time you are on. So, NYC is a tough
scene, but we manage to play good shows and we’re getting more and more people interested in the band. In
the long (but short) run, we need to branch out and go play other places though.
Steel Notes Magazine 33
Bowry Boys Interview Continued....
Right now, it seems like the rock related music scene is
divided between the old school Manhattan crowd living in
the past, and the Brooklyn scene that’s trying too hard…I
like to see us as in the middle. Both crowds can/do appreciate our sound, and I like that. The Bowery Boys have not
reached their zenith yet, and never should they. We’re only
going up and sky is not the limit. We treat every show just
as importantly as another no matter where it is at, or how
many people are in the audience. When I don’t play? Well,
I play!….. I also write/publish, and have been involved with
various aspects of the music world such as booking shows,
helping out artists, and acting as a freelance A&R signing
musicians to smaller labels (Including Walter Lure- of the
Heartbreakers, Dave Parsons- of Sham69, Andy Shernoffof the Dictators, The Lustkillers, etc…just to name a few).
MBW: Does anybody want to share an opinion about presentation ??? Are you in it for the money
??? fun ??? … Did you say Chinese ??? Can you recommend a dynamite place for Chinese food
???
JOff wilsOn: Presentation? I don’t know what that means other than we try and dress up a little for most
shows. We take our music serious but not ourselves so much. It keeps it fun. We easily joke and make fun
of each other, it keeps things light but grounded. It would be nice to make some money at this but it is not
easy to do in the music world today. Even big stars are scrambling for a paycheck it seems. It is very rewarding to play music with good friends. Some cash would be nice, where do I sign? Wo Hop is one of our fav
eateries, open late and inexpensive prices and tasty food..We are playing in a music scene in the Lower
East Side for the most part and there are a lot of rally great bands and awesome people that we play shows
with. It is safe to say that there is a music scene alive and well in NYC these days.
We are very honored to be a part of it. We feel the love and respect our contemporaries show us and return
it in kind.
We are looking to venture out however and play in other cities.
I guess we need a manager or booking agent at this point.
We shall see what the future brings us.
Agent Rock and Roller jOff wilsOn signing off.
Thomaxe: If we were playing for the money we’d be a cover band playing weddings …. We do it because
we have fun doing it, and because it’s in our blood. We need it. The day you don’t have fun anymore, then
it’s time to move on.
Done !!! … Thank U Verrrry Much & Good Evening !!! … MBW …
Sure thanks Marlowe! ♫
34 Steel Notes Magazine
The Poetry Corner
Flying When Wet
She mastered the art of walking through pain, in life she conquered many storms and the rain.
She heard wings do not work when they are wet,
but there was not one challenge she had not met.
She waited patiently upon the next cloudy day,
the moment her blue skies were clouds of gray.
She ran to her room and put on an orange dress,
for when she flew, she wanted to be at her best.
Soon from darkness above, the water trickled down,
she remained in faith that she would never drown.
She flapped her arms and thought of God’s love,
with a span of an Eagle and the grace of a Dove.
Personal Purgatory
Locked and loaded in a personal purgatory, an
obscure, self made prison, a place where you
are blind to God’s glory.
Enter alone a place inside your cranium, a
twisted sanctuary, cold and aphotic, the place
you find comfort in the austere and the chaotic.
It took minutes as her feet left the ground,
in her heart she knew freedom and where she was bound.
On that day she needed no audience or public display,
she learned to be vigilant and knew how to pray. She soared across hills and valleys with not even a net,
and now is a master of Flying When Wet.
Wendy
All Rights Reserved 2013
In the ambiance of familiar torture, altering past
addictions and afflictions,
demons of the mind offer their contradictions.
Stand close by the trestle with a one way ticket
to the abyss,
this is one ride you don’t want to miss.
Emily claimed, “Better an ignis fatuus then no
illume at all.”...deluding and misleading, if correctly, I recall.
Continue to search for burnish outside yourself
and see what you will find,
a never ending train ride to the dark corners of
your mind.
Wendy Smale 2012
Steel Notes Magazine 35
Poetry Corner Continued...
Confessions
It’s time to get naked in front of ya all,
got some experience behind the cement wall.
The girl you see now looking sexy and sweet,
back in the day her only friend was the street.
She had big balls when she was slingin dope,
got good at game, she taught teachers the ropes.
What? You have no cash and you couldn’t pay,
better get out my face boy, better get outta my way!
I landed plenty of punches, went in hard for my Triple Crown,
and had no conscience when it came to takin you down. Drove a car round the city with a body in the trunk,
forgot it was there till it smelled like dead skunk.
A thug with a vagina is the only life I knew,
certain that was my life, till I was cold and blue.
I had no faith in anything for there was no hope for me,
till I found peace in a crack pipe and smoked endlessly.
No way to articulate how the spiritual void inside you
feels,
when a old piece of Chore-boy becomes your only meal.
Ya start praying to die cause your already dead,
decaying from the inside out....starting with your head.
For 34 years, this is how what I called life went on,
everyday on the streets was like a war torn Tehran.
I remember the day the sky opened for me,
someone upstairs still thought me worthy.
God sent a band of angels, and He called them the FBI,
this is my story, trust and believe I ain’t telling no lie.
The Judge and the Jury said, “You better make way,”
and 37 months and 1 day they locked me away.
Don’t carry no guilt and have learned many lessons,
can smell bullshit a mile away, that alone is a blessin.
Still carry my street smarts but now in a briefcase,
and I laugh to myself when you lie to my face.
For today I turn on my heel and bid you adieu,
can’t be honest with me, till You get honest with You. My worst day today doesn’t compare to street strife,
truth in Tupac’s words, “It ain’t calm in the thug life”
Wendy © 2014
♫
36 Steel Notes Magazine
For Ad space contact
Alexxis Steele @
610-871-1886
[email protected]
Steel Notes Magazine 37
Brodian’s Banter
by Stewart Brodian
Everybody’s making a big deal about the recently released “Beatles Re-imagined” compilation CD.
The CD has all modern day groups doing their interpretations of early Beatles songs (1963 era).
There’s no new ground broken here.
Several years ago, MOJO Magazine included a compilation CD with their magazine called “White
Album Recovered” - here again, modern day bands doing their renditions (in a variety of styles, I
might add) of songs that originally appeared on The Beatles White Album - including a rendition of
Sexy Sadie by Paul Weller!
I wouldn’t say it was ignored but, it was just another in a long line of tribute
compilations.
Re-imagined came out closer to the time of The Beatles’ 50th anniversary of their debut in this
country but, that’s the thing about this business.
it’s all timing + hype.
Everclear’s follow up to “Santa Monica” was a song called “Father Of Mine”.
It was a song about being a fatherless white kid in an all black neighborhood and it went
nowhere.
A few years later, a white rap artist comes out with a song and album about being in that
situation and becomes a phenomenon
His name?
Eminem!
♫
38 Steel Notes Magazine
Rockin’ Around with Michael Hendrick
by Michael Hendrick
We had the pleasure of meeting
Hank III in the wee hours
of Thanksgiving morning in 2011, after watching him play for four and a half hours in a
small club. Hank always plays long shows. He presents it as three or four different acts,
each playing a different genre. It used to be said that James Brown was the hardest
working man in show business but Hank3 is no slouch.
The true depth of his talent is not yet known to most since many prefer only to consider
his country side. There is much more to him than that. After fronting metal bands Assjack
and 3 Bar Ranch between his country and hellbilly (his own version of hard country), he decided to work on a
project which was in the more traditional punk rock mode. In between these he works on various experimental
forms of music, as on his 2011 release Ghost To Ghost.
We had the chance to speak with him again recently and started y asking about the new punk project,
A Fiendish Threat.
‘A Fiendish Threat’ sounds much more ‘punk’ than
your past hardcore and metal bands. The live version I heard sounded like the Ramones.
There is definitely a lot of Minor Threat influence,
singing-wise, and of course The Misfits, Jane’s Addiction, Violent Sound and to me, I didn’t notice the
Ramones as much until I started playing more live
with the band.
When I am doing the record that’s one thing - but officially doing it onstage is another. It depends. Some
nights the voice is just fine and some nights it’s a little
harder to get to.
There is definitely a lot of influences throughout the
record.
The drummer in the new videos looks different
from the usual player.
I am playing drums all through the new record and
my main drummer that I‘ve been with for twelve years
(Shawn McWilliams), he basically played the country, the hellbilly and the Attention Deficit Domination
parts of the show. He had rotator cuff surgery and he
just didn’t come back and he put the surgery off for
so long that it’s taking him twice as long to heal from
it. So there’s a chance this year he might be coming
back but that’s always a real hard position to fill, after
you’ve been with a drummer that knows over a hundred and fifty of your songs and not having a set-list
every night. But we did it. We pulled it off last year
but he was definitely missed and we’re always hoping
everyday that he going to be coming back soon.
Right now I’ve got a pretty good solid crew for the
road and time will tell. I’ll be getting into the road
mode here soon. I’m almost one hundred and seventy days on my end, way deep off into a project, so
I know the road is just around the corner for me. It’s a
totally different mindset.
The last time we talked, you said you had a plan to
tour for ten more years. Are you still on target?
It’s just hard to say what’s going to happen. I always
said that I was going to tour the road until I was fifty
and even my people at my business management
would say, “You sure do need to charge more money
for your live shows.”
I’m like, “Well, I don’t want to go there yet.”
So who knows what’ll happen? Maybe at fifty, I’ll raise
my ticket prices a little bit or else I’ll be hanging it up.
I don’t know. When I look at guys like Lemmy (from
Motorhead) and Willie Nelson and Iggy Pop, guys that
have just kept on doing it…it’s a good inspiration. And
if I can still pull off the shows I want to, who knows?
Steel Notes Magazine 39
Rockin’ Around Continued...
Maybe at fifty, if I can’t really pull off the show that
I want to, maybe I’ll just do more of a laid back
set and be doing the acoustic thing a little more
but right know I’m always just trying to put on the
longest show for a very affordable ticket price.
I started with a crew on the road in 1995 at five
and seven dollars and now I am able to keep it at
seventeen to twenty-four max…with the economy
and everything I’ve just always tried to be affordable, you know?
You sure give more miles per ticket. You
played for four and a half hours the last time
I saw you. I can’t remember seeing anybody
play that long onstage before.
It’s always a challenge. Every tour is different.
Even in the back of my mind I’m thinking, even
though I’m in studio mode, realyl soon I’ve gotta
start riding the bike and getting ready to lift stuff
and all that getting the cardio going for it.
You have the partier image but you can’t do
what you do every night without taking care of
yourself.
It’s strange. On one hand I’m really strong and on
the other hand, I’m really weak. I kind of have both
happening. When it’s on the road a lot of the time
I’m just thinking of the show, the performance and
trying to keep a good team morale. We all pitch in.
We all do our best. We all load the trailer together
and set up the gear together and break it all down.
That’s a lot of it. The reason for the thing about
partying so much is when people come out to see
the show I try not to bum ‘em out too bad or sing
too many slow songs because I want a lot of the
folks to come and forget about all their problems
and enjoy the show and feel the different moods.
So that’s always in the back of my mind on the
drinking songs and all that stuff.
I like them, like ‘My Drinking Problem’.
The guy who wrote My Drinking Problem was
Randy Howard and I saw him on public access
tv…somehow I got lucky enough to track him
down. He was staying at a hotel in Nashville. I’ve
done two of his songs: I Don’t Know and My Drinking Problem. He has the great outlaw raspy voice
and has a record out. He is one of the few guys
who’s songs I’ll sing. He’s like one of the unsung
40 Steel Notes Magazine
heroes to me…a songwriter and just his sound. He
had that Georgia rebel outlaw kind of thing going
on and his sound just stood out. It had a lot of the
Allman Brothers in it...the Johnny Cash feel in it…
the old seventies sound.
You opened your first LP, Rising Outlaw, with’ I
Don’t Know’, right?
Rising Outlaw was pretty difficult. You’ve got to understand how young I was. There were producers
and engineers I was having to go against. They
were trying work with me as much as they could
but on the other hand they were trying to do the
‘Nashville way.’
It was great to have Dale Crover from Melvins
come in and pick out whatever drum set he wanted and get to record on Music Row.
That was one of the highlights for me. I did my
research and picked out all the songs…the Kostas
one, which had Eddie Pleasant on one (Devil’s
Daughter) and a Buddy Miller song (Lonesome
For You). Some of those guys are still writing
songs and some of the guys who were engineers
on that record are totally done with music so…a lot
has changed since that record but it definitely had
its own sound. It only takes a little while to get your
‘feel’ under you, no matter what you are doing.
Sound of his famous dog, Trooper is barking and
Hank opens a door. His dog has been the subject
of mroe than one song – an old tradition and very
much Americana.
If I’m pacing around a little bit and they hear something knocking, they think somebody is at the door.
How did you extended world tour go?
The touring was great but unfortunately the routing
was really bad so the next time I have to do that.
I’m going to have to get a lot more involved. If I
hadn’t have been selling merch I would have taken
a pretty big loss. All of that is because of routing.
That is the only thing I’ve got to check on. Most of
the festivals were fine. Of course, naturally when I
do the heavier stuff a lot of folks will leave.
We did some bar shows and I would squeeze it
in. If we had an hour, I would do forty minutes of
country, two hellbilly songs, a doom song and then
two sweet, sentimental kind of songs. It would be
just long enough to see the folks react to it.
We also got to play a lot of, what I would say are,
our home shows, like the bars where we don’t have a
time limit and get to do whole show. It went good. The
help over there this time was okay, too
.
Does your audience age have a wide range there,
as it does in the US?
back to one day that position may change and then
something will happen. Every so often I hear that
something is going to happen but then it goes away.
Who knows?
In London, it was a pretty mixed crowd. London was
a lot like the states, where I would go a hundred miles
down the street and we would get twenty to a hundred
people out and they were more middle-aged. When
we played Amsterdam, that was all over the age
genre with all kinds of folks coming out.
I keep in mind, when we are in certain festivals, if
they’re more catered to a certain type of music and
don’t want the heavier stuff I keep that in mind as well.
Mainly it’s kind of different. It’s sort of like starting over
for me there.
He basically did a lot of research on the Opry and on
the individuals that are involved with it right now and
they are…well, it’s the ‘living’ part that gets in the way.
What is up with the Re-InstateHank petition to get
your grandfather back into the Grand Ol’ Opry?
Basically, all we can do is talk about it.
Really…we talk about it and sign the petition – but
one day a position might change ‘up top’ on who is
in charge of what. Whenever that position changes,
you never know who might just say, “Oh, okay. We’re
going to do some things different and let’s include
having Hank Williams be back in the circle.”
A lot of it nowadays…I am not in tune with it but I do
know what is on the Grand Ol’ Opry is a lot of pop
stuff, a lot of bluegrass and then you go straight to the
older folks.
It’s more of the loophole that if you’re dead you can’t
be a member of the Grand Ol’ Opry. That in itself, as
I’ve said before, is like you are not preserving history.
If Hank Senior is not part of the Opry then why is he
on your website from the forties and why are the pictures still hanging up? It’s hard to say. Holly, my halfsister, she does a lot of work down there and knows a
lot of those people where I, on the other hand, haven’t
been there since I went to Earl Scruggs’ funeral. That
was about it. The last time I said I would play there
was the fiftieth anniversary of Hank’s passing, live on
TV.
It’s not like I’m this great star or anything but I won’t
be coming here to sing my songs until the right thing
is done., if they are going to keep riding on him.
Tom Waits summed it up the best way that you can,
as far as politics behind it and everything. It just goes
How did Waits sum it up?
They’re saying, “Well, if he gets re-instated then how
come this other guy can’t be?”
If people want to do the research, Tom Waits got to
edit the 200th issue of Mojo Magazine and there is a
good read on it.
The ‘top’ is singing back home.
I am not asking for a $90,000 statue.
I’m just asking for a little bit of respect and a ceremony one night to sing and say that we respect
Hank Williams and would love to have him back in our
circle.
One thing he says – on their website you will find
Hank Williams Senior’s name among the names
from the forties. So if he isn’t a member, why does
the Grand Ol’ Opry’s website list him as one? There
was really no response to that question so maybe
it’s a misunderstanding. It’s not like Nashville doesn’t
recognize the contributions of Hank Senior. It goes on
and on. For someone to be a musician with as much
clout and knowledge as Tom Waits has - to have him
write about it was an honor.
You have a lot of devil and Satanist symbols in
your record art and merch. We noticed that Garth
Brooks came back recently and wonder if you
think he could maybe be the Anti-christ?
Laughs…well, there is a lot to be said for Garth
Brooks. He is one of those guys that coul have just
been a rock star and not been hands-on and just
walked onstage but he went way deeper than that.
In general, he was a good businessman. He was a
guy that knew how Music Row worked, knew how the
business worked. He was always doing lunch.
Whenever he got his hit songs and after he got a few
to
urs, he was hands-on. He was a rigger and he was
setting up a lot of stages. He was keeping himself
busy. Out of that mentality, I have respect for him. I’ve
never seen Garth Brooks live. I know how big career
that he has and his creativity. Really, his creativity. He
Steel Notes Magazine 41
Rockin’ Around Continued...
stuck to his guns. He was a rock and roll fan as well.
He’s done stuff with Gene Simmons and all that. I can
understand that maybe he just got bored and maybe
he didn’t feel productive anymore and just wanted to
get out there and start doing the music again.
Do you take a truck on the road with you so you
can go off-road to relax?
When I’m on the road it’s constant work. Once I’m
in that mindset, I’ll barely get away at all. Even if I
did get away, I’m so locked into the road that I can’t
enjoy myself. Every once in a while we get a show like last tour we did a fundraiser for a friend of mine
who survived a really bad crash and it was on top of
a mountain, forty minutes up the hill on a dirt road to
get there. We basically all pulled together and did it.
Every so often we get to do something like that.
That’s the closest I get because when I’m in work
mode I don’t snap out of it until I get home. It’s like
I’ve got to keep my guard up constantly. That’s just
how it is. When I’m at home and not on the road it’s
different.
At home, I get to have fun. When I was growing
up that’s what we would do. My friend had a mobile
home and the front yard was a mudpit and it was all
‘who makes it through and who gets stuck’. We had a
bulldozer there to pull people out.
We’d go riding trails, just cruising around in the woods
where there’s not any traffic and you don’t have
to worry about running a bicyclist over or anything
like that. It’s more an an outdoor adventure in itself.
You’re cruising. That’s how I take an approach at it.
Even the slow songs have a strong beat on
‘Brothers of the 4x4’.
I think that’s my rhythm cutting through because I’m
playing the acoustic and I’m playing the drums on
it. The fourth song would be Farthest Away and the
really deep song that is more slow is Deep Scars and
then you have Loners4Life. To me those are the more
old-school, deep country songs on the record.
It’s a challenge – playing light and in time and then
doing the side stick like that…or doing the marching
beat on I’m Not Broken Down, I’m Just Broke. That,
in itself, is a little more tricky than you would expect
also. Johnny Hiland, he’s the lead guitar layer I have
on the last few of my records, he said, “Man, Shelton,
nobody like you in Nashville has this kind of rhythm!”
I can only say that it goes back to me playing the
drums and playing acoustic guitar on it and having
just a little bit of a different kind of drumbeat as op-
42 Steel Notes Magazine
posed to most traditional drummers who are studio
players around Nashville.
Didn’t your grandfather also get static for turning up his bass to loud so it would sound like a
drum?
We all know that he was sick and a little too drunk
when he showed up for a performance and they said,
“Hank you got to get your act together but for right
now we’re going to have to let you go but you’re going
to have to come back and redeem yourself. So he
never did have the chance to redeem himself - but the
rhythm, he had that rhythm.
Marty Stuart, when he watched me play, he said, “You
know, Shelton, that’s your thing.”
In the early nineties, when I was playing more of the
‘ma and pa circuits,’ I had an older gentleman come
to me and he says, “That style of guitar playing, that
rhythm you got – that’s your sound…your niche.”
That helped quite a bit and a lot of the gallops and
fast strumming and stuff like that has kind of been my
thing although I still don’t know guitar theory…or I can
write songs and record them and do all that stuff but
I just don’t understand theory so I think that, in itself,
sets it apart as well.
Speaking of rhythm, the story about your grandfather turning up the bass so that it sounded like a
drum, is that true?
I would consider a true story on the basis that he was
playing rock and roll before rock and roll was. They
did have electric instrument that they were having to
go against, like the lap steel and then you’d have a
tin-topped guitar player back in there, so of course,
I’m singing and I need to hear the bass and all I hear
is the steel guitar and we need to even the stage out.
Some of the places had a PA system and some didn’t.
Listen to the song Move It On Over. That’s basically Rock Around The Clock before it was. There’s a
reason there is a picture of Hank Williams in the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. I would probably say that’s
true.
Where is the best play to buy your music and
merch?
Anything you want, the best place to get it is off of
www.hank3.com . That’s the place to go. That’s where
it’s family owned and operated and you know you are
getting it out of Tennessee.
See the review of A Fiendish Threat in the CD review
section and watch for a review of Brothers of the 4X4
in the next issue of Steel Notes! ♫
For Ad space contact
Alexxis Steele @
610-871-1886
[email protected]
Steel Notes Magazine 43
44 Steel Notes Magazine
Ric Savage spent the 1990’s
touring the east coast as a Professional Wrestler with large federation’s like WCW and ECW, to small
local and regional promotions. Ric chased his dream, and that is worth something. Ric’s greatest passion, and that
of his wife Rita, is American history and relic digging/collecting and it always has been. Their reality show called SAVAGE FAMILY DIGGERS, formerly AMERICAN DIGGER, was shown on Spike TV for two seasons.
Besides his interest in digging, Ric , who is a fan of civil war and militaria, developed a website that is a resource
to help collectors spot the difference in items, and bust and expose sellers of fake antique coins, buckles, knives,
swords, flags, and other items.
Ric is an avid fan of 80’s melodic rock, and has forged friendships with members of Warrant, Firehouse, Tesla, Lynrd
Skynrd, and Danger Danger frontman Ted Poley.Ric met Ted in August 2013 when he and his wife Rita were hanging
out in Maryland at a Bang Tango concert. Introduced through member Lance Eric, the two quickly bonded, and were
present together at a dig in Gettysburg, and a ghost walk tour as well. One of Ric’s other passions is his collection of
signed guitars from those same melodic rock bands he is so fond of.
Currently, Ric has his own radio show- Savage Turner Rock Express on WRGC AM Radio in North Carolina, with his
co-host, guitarist Eric Turner from Warrant. Tune into their show on Thursday evenings at 9 PM, EST. Since the show
started in July 2013, it has grown tremendously , due to the combination of Ric’s over the top presence, and Eric’s
opposite laid back and mellow attitude. Check it out at www.wrgc.com
New projects are also in the works for a possible reality showed based on his family of pro wrestlers, and has
reawakened his desire to get back in the ring again! Ric can be seen at various personal appearances, and also as a
motivational speaker,trade-shows, concerts, wrestling shows, sporting events, grand openings, corporate events..Ric
Savage has a new audio-book coming out soon, Haunted Gettysburg Ghost Stories, based on the popular book series
by Bob and Bonnie Wasel
Check him out on Facebook at :https://www.facebook.com/ricsavagerelichunter
Steel Notes Magazine 45
Extraordinary
by H.Q. Deceit and B.B.Strange
Extraordinary is a column designed to seek out the best of the best, the extraordinary if you will. Examining
that talent under a microscope to find out which acts, bands and performers make the cut to earn the title of
Extraordinary. Each act, band or performer will be rated on the star scale ranging, 1 star earns them the rank
of ordinary, 5 stars earns them the title of Extraordinary.
For this months article H.Q. and I, B.B. Strange received an email from the editor. We were informed that the
Spotlight Performer for this months issue and the Headliner band for the up in coming Steel Notes Magazine
Breakout Party would be Demon Boy, A horror style Heavy Metal band from New York City. We then proceeded
to find out the wonderful job that Extraordinary has been doing with the articles that we have produced for the
magazine. Feeling very humbled and faltered by the gesture, H.Q. went on reading till she reached the very
exciting news that the editor was asking Extraordinary to write this months Spotlight article on Demon Boy,
H.Q, and I found this news to be delightful. Demon Boy was among the list we formed of extraordinary people
that we wanted to interview. Quickly we accepted the opportunity presented to us, seizing the moment. Without
further delay Extraordinary is proud to present to you Demon Boy.
Demon Boy
Demon Boy, a man with a vision, beginning his
illustrious career at the early age of 13 as a lead
guitarist for a heavy metal rock band. Following
rock inspiration, inspired by lead guitarist,
backup-singer, primary songwriter and founder of
Cheap Trick, Rick Nielsen.
Demon Boy Quote’s.
“ I remember when I heard that Alice Cooper
was performing a concert. I thought who? I never
heard of him, so I actually thought he was a girl.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect so when
Alice Copper took the stage I was amazed with
what I saw. I remember thinking I love this, the
concept is perfect, the makeup the theatrics, this
is off the wall.”
“Watching Rick Nielsen play the guitar was
electrifying, sparking a passion from within, at
this moment I knew that I was destined for rock
stardom, I was going to be a entertainer.”
Now keep in mind this was 2005 so most of
the makeup bands and macabre theatrics were
dieing out. This was right at the post grudge
period an new metal rock even Alice Copper was
in the shadows. With the exception a couple of
horror rock bands like, Rob Zombie and Marilyn
Manson but for the most part they where all
but extinct. This is the moment that started the
transformation that turned a lead guitarist into the
devilish Demon Boy that we know today.
Continuing on his path of greatness Demon
Boy, remained as a lead guitarist and back upsinger, taking the spotlight of several singles as
well throughout the 80’s and 90’s consistently
perfecting his craft to extraordinary heights.
While living in Boston Feb. 2005 Demon
Boy attend a concert featuring an American
horror punk musician and the legendary Alice
Cooper, Father of Macabre theatrics also the first
performer to incorporate horror makeup into his
performances. Demon Boy recalls the concert:
46 Steel Notes Magazine
A couple of years past Demon Boy continued to
play as a lead guitarist, as well as staring in numerous commercials and some special appearances on
MTV. In the fall of 2008 It was time for a change, after
sitting down with his friend and partner to come up
with a new concept, already being a big fan of horror rock and the macabre theatrics displayed in this
music genera. Demon Boy recognizes that there is
a huge opportunity that must be seized. With horror
genera music being on the decline in years past few
years. Demon Boy foretells the future, predicting that
with the new up incoming T.V series The Walking
Dead, combined with resent zombie crazy of the time
replacing the once idolized vampires of the 80’s and
90’s, Horror will once again explode. With that revolation in hand, he began taking the necessary steps to
bring his explosive image to life, and I quote:
“ I was looking to go in a different direction while
staying in the entertainment business. I had been to
many Alice Copper concerts by this time and felt that
we could do something along the lines of macabre
theatrics and horror makeup. In No way replicating or
emulating the bands that loosely inspired the concept
of Demon Boy, such as Rob Zombie and Alice Copper. Demon Boy is its own entity, I don’t want anyone
to mistake that fact. I like to think that I am the up an
coming star that will replace such greats. I don’t want
to be Alice or Rob, I feel I’m chasing down Alice and
Rob, trying to carry the torch on to the next generation. I’m at the forefront of my industry as far as being
a young independent artist and I want people to look
at me in ten years and say he’s just as good as Alice
Copper and Rob Zombie. ”
For the next six months Demon Boy and his partner
carefully planned and molded the concept known as
Demon Boy, He decided that he should dye his hair
red to add shock value to his appearance, in addition
to his hair, he added a sinister wardrobe with a set of
bat wings for his new alter ego, with a touch of makeup to top off the look, and out of the ashes Demon
Boy was born ready to take the world by storm. Complete with all new music writing and produce mostly by
Demon Boy himself, and I quote
“ The music that we write and produce is a team effort. I begin the music by writing the main parts using
my guitar, at this point I pass it on to the guys to fill in
the gaps. About 70 percent of the lyrics are writing by
me, with a great deal of input from my Lyricist Rich
Orth a well known poet from Philadelphia, Pa.”
In January 2009, The image Demon boy, was complete and ready to be unveiled. In February 2009,
that opportunity came when Demon boy was booked
as the headliner of the 2009 Comicon convention in
New York City. This was a good test to see how the
public would react to the new image. Demon boy took
the stage and rattled the pillars to the foundation,
blowing away the crowed with a spectacular display
of macabre theatrics and the sound of heavy metal
music. Instantly becoming a crowed favorite in the
convention circuit. This performance spawned Demon
boys first interview with the new image. Four months
later when the article was released, It was a instant
success, starting a viral breakout within the masses
about Demon boy and his unique approach to an old
concept reviving the musical and theatrical arts for
generations to come.
With each passing year Demon Boys fame grew,
eventually bringing him to a highlight moment in the
up and coming career of Demon Boy where he was
invited to open for one of his Rock Idols Wednesday
13. and I quote:
“ This was intense, one of the moments I was waiting
for literately a dream come true, I was truly feeling
invincible.”
Back to the present where Demon Boy is still a rising
success, with horror at a all time high and Halloween out ranking Christmas as the country’s favorite
holiday. The need for horror style bands are in high
demand, keeping Demon Boy busy. some people
might be surprised to find that even with the hectic
schedule, his act extends well beyond the stage. Demon Boy acts as a developer of talent and a mentor
for those looking to find their stage presence. And I
quote:
“I was brought up in a very business minded family.
My father bestowed upon me the organizational skills,
time management and the ability to promote. I was always thinking about managing talent at the same time
as I was becoming a house hold name. I could see
myself as a manager or someone who helps to develop
and promote others who don’t have all of the skills to
become a rare and successful talent.”
This should come as no surprise to those of
you who know all the success that Demon Boy
has experienced. From a Level in a Video
Game developed for his character, to the Comic
Book which stars Demon boy. He is also an
accomplished Self Promoted Independent
Performer. We at Extraordinary Rank the Heavy
Metal band Demon Boy on the Star Scale 5
out of 5 stars earning Demon Boy the title of
Extraordinary.
As Demon boy, and I finished our conversation I
asked him if there was anything that he wanted to
add. Like the true professional that he is said yes.
Steel Notes Magazine 47
Extrordinary with Demon Boy Continued...
“ I would like to give my thanks to all of the band
members over the years there has been 19 in
total without them none of this would have been
possible. And of course all of my current band
members, Chris Cyanide playing Bass Guitar,
Shreddy Krueger playing Lead Guitar and we
can’t forget the Boogie Man, who plays the
drums.”
With the Interview complete, I thanked Demon
Boy, for taking time out of his busy schedule to
speak to and wished him the best of luck. As I
hung up the phone I thought ,Wow Now there’s a
truly Extraordinary individual.
If you every have the opportunity to see Demon
Boy in concert. All of us at Extraordinary
recommend that you seize the Moment. You will
not be disappointed, the Music will Blow your
mind and the theatrics will thrill you! DON”T MISS
THE MOVEMENT! @ https://www.facebook.
com/demonboymusic ♫
48 Steel Notes Magazine
Romans Rants
by Roman
school’s curriculum.
It’s ironic: the party life of a musician
ultimately put me in jail. Yet, if it wasn’t for
In another case, a father brought me his son for lessons even though he couldn’t afford it. It was a broken
up family and a bad situation for them financially. The
boy stuttered from being under stress. They came in
and could only rent a guitar and amp one month at a
time.
How Music Saves Lives
music, I’d have never made it out of there. And
now it’s music that keeps me not only out, but
functional and successful in society.
Music. Creating it, performing it...it’s a source of individuality, personal freedom. It was something I could
do that was mine and nobody could say I did it wrong.
Being able to create it couldn’t be lost, misplaced, or
stolen from me. Like living and breathing, it’s a natural
part of existence.
Who doesn’t like music? Whistle when they’re happy?
“Sing a happy song?” This really appealed to me
while growing up with no sense of direction or ambition other than what cops, parents, or a guidance
counselor would suggest. I liked music and it gave me
motivation. In a confusing world it was a simple direction: Sing a happy song.
I’m a teacher myself now (of guitar) and know of
several kids whose life had very little future without it,
or I can at least say their lives are successful now as
a result of being involved in it. Here’s some examples
of individuals’ lives that I can not imagine working out
without the magic medicine of music.
In one case, a friend brought me their son who was
diagnosed with a severe attention disorder. He was
smart, but couldn’t focus on anything longer than a
few minutes. They tried everything and finally were
being advised to use drugs. As a last desperate attempt, a real long shot, they decided to pursue a small
passing interest of his: guitar.
He was fascinated. He payed attention...just a little.
But when he did he remembered what I had told him
perfectly. With every lesson his attention grew longer. His chops got better. He had found a focus. He
came to jams and applied it. All his neurotic energy
now had a direction, and he advanced amazingly. He
continued lessons with me and began going to my
teacher as well. He goes to college for music now and
has already been to Europe to perform as part of the
He immersed himself in it and within that first month
knew a blues progression and was trying it on stage
at blues jams! He got a job at the apartment complex
his dad lived in and saved up his own money to buy
a guitar. Today he has his own band. And his stutter
is non-existent while performing. And I hear once in a
while his dad borrows money off of HIM!
Finally, a more tragic scenario. At a jam I met a woman who had brought her son to play. By coincidence I
had gone to grade school with her. Boy was that long
ago! Anyway, her son was amazing and not even old
enough to drive. I asked her who taught him and she
said his father...up until he committed suicide. Yikes!
Talk about playing the blues. And yet this kid had no
attitude, no chip on his shoulder, not trying to prove
anything...just a natural phenomenon. Every note he
played had heart and soul. Of course he plays professionally now, and he’s just beginning to drive. Watch
out world, you’ll hear about him.
What’s my story? I wasn’t faced with these natural
hardships. But unfortunately for me I didn’t really
have the guidance of a good teacher. I went to teachers, sure, but they all pulled out a Mel Bay book and
said “OK go up to page blah blah blah for next week.”
They all used the standard method of the day so I got
frustrated and quit usually.
But I could see live music by sneaking into “keggers”
at the local college fraternities, or “grown up” parties, etc. So I was already in the wrong place with the
wrong people. But boy, the first live bands I ever saw
there were...magical! I’ll never forget it. Like, so much
cooler than hearing it on a radio or something! It was
right there in my face!
I got an electric guitar and started hanging out
with anyone I could find to be in a band. At my
age that was hard. It was hard to even find
Steel Notes Magazine 49
Romans Rants Continued...
someone with a guitar, much less and electric one. But it wasn’t impossible. The parties I went to
were always with kids that had gear. We played too loud and badly. We jammed and learned...until
cops came. I started band after band, and party after party, and got fines after fines.
After a while I was lost. The party was more important than music. I was taking music for granted.
Hell, we got paid in drugs and alcohol. Back then if you DIDN’T do ”lines” with the owner you didn’t
get the gig. I went down fast, and started getting one-nighters in the county jail, and eventually they
were weekends, then weeks, then months.
Then years. Years with NO MUSIC. Well, I could listen to it, in my cell, but I was no longer gonna be
able to MAKE it. I vowed to get my act together. I eventually served my time and got out
It’s hard to stay out. The odds are against you. You have to work a dead-end job because you have
a record. There’s is no hope for a future, and in my case I had a parole officer to remind me of that
constantly.
I started looking for musicians in the dead-end jobs and found some (well, plenty!) that wanted to just
party. I knew that outcome. I kept my nose clean and kept looking, picking up stable people here and
there. Then I found some who were all about music. No drugs or even booze. Just really into playing.
It was awesome-they totally enjoyed life and what they were doing musically.
I kept close to people like that, and I swear that is how I stayed out of jail. There’s no doubt about it
in my mind-if I was still doing a dead-end job on a bus route or something I’d be dead or back in jail.
Music gave me a way out, and a spiritual purpose. Yes, spiritual:
I leave you with this- thoughts from the ancient Chinese Book Of Changes, The I Ching:
“Great music stops the inner turmoil of thought and allows the mind to seek its natural state of joy.
Music frees our minds and allows us to soar to heights where we can experience the celestial. Music
opens our minds to allow the perception of new thoughts of a higher nature, which gives us a spiritual
lift, which produces yet more joy. Every day should find us spending some more time giving ourselves
over to some great composer whose music lifts us into the rarefied atmosphere of the angels, where
the turmoil of our minds grows quiet, and our thoughts soar, and we merge with All-That-Is.”
Rock ‘N Roll!
Roman
www.romanmusic.net
♫
50 Steel Notes Magazine
Movie and TV Reviews
May the farce be with somebody…
Kris Kanas
Last month, I went boldly
where no one has gone before.
This month, it’s a long time ago in a galaxy far far away…
Star Wars is about to hit a black hole.
JJ Abrams, the child director of Bollywood returns to give the
Force new life with old cast members, brand new ideas and
a look that probably looks just like Star Trek and with all the
depth of a puddle on a basketball court.
Star Wars is action adventure. Sure, JJ Abrams can do that.
He can do mindless action scenes, plagiarizing other work,
while being so suspenseful that when the New Darth Vader
whispers, “I am your father” all the Tribbles of the galaxy
simultaneously belch, “Didn’t we do that in episode two, they
scream!”
It’s apparent that I have never disliked a director’s work as
much as I dislike this horse’s ass. And why is that? Simply
put, he doesn’t take the time to understand the franchise
and when he has no franchise to base the movie upon,
like Super 8, he resorts to taking ideas from every Steven
Speilburg film. And what he does touch, is ruined.
What the heck, why doesn’t he copy Irwin Allen – the Master of Disaster with a dash of Cecil B.
DeMille… or just copy Lost – that director had four years to make sense of a TV series and blew it.
Alf did better in its first six episodes. Oh, that’s right, JJ Abrams directed Lost. Go figure. And how
about Mission Impossible 3… another long standing series comes to a grinding halt under the skillful
direction of JJ Abrams.
I’m not looking forward to Star Wars VII. I have yet to see Star Trek Into Darkness - legally, and I am
a serious Star Trek Fan. I found a crappy 3D version on you tube which I struggled through. Really,
the Enterprise under water and Scott is just pondering it, not excited… and there’s a sub marine port
on the Enterprise. Yo, JJ! Wafflehead!! It’s a flipping SPACE SHIP, you tribble – not SeaQuest or the
Nautilus.
Every director of Star Trek and Star Wars has been able to make their mark on the franchises without
messing up the series. You’d think, with all this guys education, he could do the same. But no. Star
Trek ends up in another Time Zone and Star Wars will probably end up in downtown Chicago.
What next? Mr. Ed, the talking horse can chat in six languages while making love to Arnold the pig?
Or how about a new cartoon, where the superhero is allergic to peanuts. Let’s remake the Wizard
of OZ making Mr. Data the Tin Man, Justin Bieber is Dorothy, Jaws is Toto, Charlie Sheen is the
cowardly lion, Madonna is the Scarecrow, Lady Gaga is the wicked witch of the west and Howard
Stern is OZ. Come on, JJ, it will be fun! Like an ingrown toenail.
I wish he’d retire already. It’s obvious this jerk can’t do anything original.
Meanwhile, in central park, a man tries to go surfing and dies of starvation waiting for the first wave. ♫
Steel Notes Magazine 51
CD Reviews
different sound is achieved here by using all
acoustic instruments like the doghouse bass,
played by Zach Shedd, and acoustic guitar (wired
for distortion and fuzz added, of course) on the
classic three chord compositions. Actually, it
sounds like he throws a minor fourth chord in
here and there.
Like seeing Hank III play live, reviewing his
records can be challenging. At the shows, he
will play three, sometimes four sets of music,
each a different style – ranging from country
to hardcore thrash metal to doom metal to his
own progeny, ‘hellbilly’ and maybe even back
to country again. A mini-festival of his own, he
presents concertgoers with four sounds, four
feels, four genres and (the most challenging for
the audience) four hours or more of playing each
night.
While you listen, the songs absorb you and you
feel what Hank feels.
It’s the same way with his records. In September
2011, he released four discs in one day, as three
different LP packages. Each had its own sound
and texture. This time around, He hit us with
three discs, two on the country/hellbilly Brothers
of the 4X4 and also a new venture - this time into
punk with A Fiendish Threat.
On the latter, he uses a different singing voice
and the song structures are reminiscent of the
original punk of the seventies. A completely
52 Steel Notes Magazine
A personal favorite is Different From the Rest, a
true example of classic punk form led by strong
vocals, with Hank singing and playing acoustic
at the same time, as he did on the whole project,
adding his own fast, furious drumming while
mixing it. It’s not just the punk sound that runs
throughout but also the attitude as stated in the
lyrics and titles, as in There’s Another Road.
Kicking off with a nice bit of slide-down-the-string
feedback, the galloping drums on it hit like an
AK47 and keep strifing the listener into Broke
Jaw. Broke Jaw, in itself, is unlike any other punk
song before it. It sticks to the standard form but
here is where the hellbilly-style instrument lineup really hits home. After nailing the vocals and
beat, the vocals end and what almost sounds like
a steel guitar on acid fills the lead. No steel guitar
is listed so it was either coaxed out of the fiddle,
banjo, bass or acoustic, perhaps…but the effect
is wild! It evokes Television’s Marquee Moon in
the way the notes swirl around each other to a
climax. It is an excellent song that would have
blown the whole NYC set off its feet in 1977.
Similarly, on Watchin U Suffer we hear what
could be gypsy fiddle crossed with police siren
during instrumental breaks near the end. This
also separates them from the rest of the punk
genre because these instrumental forays add
time to the standard two minute or three minute
formula. Then again, it’s not 1977 anymore and
this is a fresh new look at a genre people do not
attempt that much anymore. Punk progressed
but the original style was purest and this is oldschool punk done in a completely new way.
The only problem with the next song, Face
Down, is that it has to follow the tremendous
instrumental at the end of Breakin Free, which
you have to hear to believe.
In some ways, A Fiendish Threat is like a cross
between Rocket To Russia and The White Album.
There is so much to it, so much diversity. Listen
to the opening of New Identity and you wonder
if Roy Rogers ever took peyote. If that last line
does not make sense, listen to the song. To
imagine the first few notes going into what they
do…well, it’s an adventure in listening.
It’s one thing to jazz up country by adding
hardcore to it but boosting punk with a shot of
country can only be a stroke of genius…because
it actually works.
Billy Contreras comes on strong with the fiddle
throughout but especially on Feel The Sting.
He moves in and out of the melody, runs along
with the vocal, creates tension and is simply
extraordinary.
On Fight My Way – the title says it all. Always
keeping lyrics relevant, this covers the angst-filled
side of the emotions while packing a punch and
even holds it’s own after the tremendous finish on
Feel The Sting…but then Full On knocks you out
of your seat with the sheer strength of the beat..
Daniel Mason, Hank’s main man banjo, is here
but this listener could not place the sound of the
banjo. A hellbillied-up banjo is liable to make a lot
of noise so maybe he is hidden in the backbeat…
we’ll have to listen closer.
Your Floor is more doom than punk. He sounds
a lot like Ozzy on the vocals here. He must have
snuck those Black Sabbath LPs back in after
his mom threw them away. The second from
last song, it doesn’t really seem to fit the rest,
although it is a great song for the style it is. We
return to the old school on the final selection and
title track It, too, seems to drift to the Ozzy voice
at times, as if he were turning the record in a
new direction right at the end. With much highlyexperimental music, often we don’t ‘get it’ the first
time we listen because of the foreign aspect. It
grows on us.
These songs grab you with the beat and then
slowly insinuate themselves upon you as you
notice new details here and there.
This is one of the most original ‘punk’ records to
be released in many years.
To get a copy, buy one directly from Hank at
www.hank3.com. While you are there check out
the videos of his new stuff while you wait. Ours
arrived in two days.
Don’t use another service when you can have
it sent straight from Hank’s Haunted Ranch in
Tennessee!
While you’re there, get a copy of Brothers of the
4X4 – we will be reviewing that one next month!
♫
Steel Notes Magazine 53
Lehigh Valley Music Awards
On March 9th at Steel Stacks the Lehigh Valley Music Awards held their 15th
Annual event at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
This years performance line up included Juanita Shockley, Scott Marshall & the
Hillbilly Souls with guest James Supra, Carl Snyder, Rick Levy, King Magnetic,
Geoff Houser, David Zullo, Michael Fritz, Chelsea Lyn Meyers, Dana Gaynor,
Brian Berlanda, Bev Conklin Joe Mac, , Brian Bortz, Andrew Kanas, Larry Werner, Dennis Beidler, Don Plowman and Mike Stanley.
There were celebrity presenters such as Vini Lopez, E Street Band founder, who
this year will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and J.T. Carter of
The Crests,
Top winners were Sarah Ayers who won in five categories:All Around Performer
(fan vote), best Female Artist, Female Vocalist, Singer/Songwriter (fan vote)
and tied for best Jam Band. And James Supra who won in four categories, All
Around Performer (Industry vote), Harmonicist , Blues Band and tied for best Jam Band.
The full list of winners
All Around Performer (fan vote) — Sarah Ayers
All Around Performer (Industry vote) — James Supra
Band/Duo — The Large Flowerheads
Singer/Songwriter (fan vote) — Sarah Ayers
Singer Songwriter (Industry vote) — Sharon Elizabeth
Female Artist — Sarah Ayers
Female Vocal — Sarah Ayers
Male Artist — Craig Thatcher
Male Vocal — Jonathan Padilla
New Band/Solo — Sharon Elizabeth
Album — In Aviation, “Something To Prove”
Original Song — Scott Marshall “Letters & Prayers”
Americana Band — Dina Hall
Bluegrass Band — The Whiskeyhickon Boys
Blues Band — James Supra Band
Christian Band — Ian Holmes
Country Band — Crazy Hearts
54 Steel Notes Magazine
Folk Band — The Whiskeyhickon Boys
Gospel Band — Ian Holmes
Jam Band — Sarah Ayers Band, James Supra Band (tie)
Jazz Band — Fusion Jazz Trio
Loud Rock Band — Gracy’s Trip
Metal Band — Sinister Realm
Polka Band — Dave Betz Polka Band
Punk Band — Damn Dirty Apes
R&B Band — Philadelphia Funk Authority
Rock Band — Gracy’s Trip, Groovitude (tie)
Spoken Word Artist — Whitney Peyton
Urban Band — Whitney Peyton
World Band/Solo — Sould Ragga
Classical Solo — John Carelli
Children Band/Solo — The Little Wings
Children’s Music Performance — Dave Fry
Children’s Performer — Dave Fry
Lehigh Valley Music Awards continued
Choral Classic Group — Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts Touring Choir
Non-School Youth Band — Groovitude
School Youth Band — Bank Street Band
Acoustic Guitar — Craig Thatcher
Electric Guitar — Lou Franco
Bass Guitar — Scott Siska
Drummer/Percussionist — Maureen “Moe” Jerant
Harmonicist — James Supra
Keyboardist — Tommy Zito
Pianist — June Thomas
String instrumentalist — Nyke Van Wyke
Wind Brass instrumentalist — Joe Vitale
Club DJ — Cap Cee
College/Community Radio — WLVR 91.3FM
College/Community Radio Personality — A.J. Fritz
Commercial Radio — 99.9FM The Hawk
Commercial Radio Person — Becca & Malone of 96.1FM Cat Country; Mitch of 99.9FM The Hawk
Karaoke — The Sand’s Molten Lounge
Marching Band — Liberty High School Grenadier Marching Band
Media Personality — Mike Mittman
Music Store — Dave Phillips Music and Sound
Music Supporter (Individual) — Barry Hay
Music Supporter (Organization) — Godfrey Daniels
Music Website — www.largeflowerheads.com
Open Jam — Grumpy’s B.B.Q.
Open Mic — The Wooden Match
Performance Venue — The Sands Molten Lounge
Reviewer — John J. Moser, The Morning Call
Volunteer — Joshua Ramirez
Photographer — John Bedics
Video Production — Lisa Koza
Producer — Andrew Chervak
Recording Studio — Midnight Studios
Sound Technician — Phil Forcelli
Board of Directors Awards: Larry Holmes, Chelsea Lyn Meyer, The Funhouse, Godfrey Daniels.
Community Youth Recipient: Nick Marzigliano
Lifetime Achievement Awards for 50 years in music: Blues pianist Carl Snyder and rock band Rick Levy and The Limits.
Special Recognition Awards: Hasanna Birdsong, Lou Franco, Barry Hay, Moe Jerant,Andrew Kanas,Scott Marshall, James Nicnick
Veterans Awards for more than 20 years in music:Brian Berlanda, Dennis Biedler,Brian Bortz, Michael Fritz, Dana Gaynor, Bryan Harmony, Geoff Houser,
King Magnetic, Joe Mac, Don Plowman, Mike Stanley, Larry Werner and David Zullo
Steel Notes Magazine 55
Interview
INTERVIEW WITH TATTOO ARTIST- EILEEN ADAMSON
By Rayvin Stites
Q:So Eileen, what is the name of your shop, and where is it
located?
Eileen: Tattoos by Mastle, in Akron, PA
Q:What made you get started as a tattoo artist?
Eileen: I’ve always had a strong interest in tattooing but never
made the connection to think of it as a career. I was in college
to be an art teacher and the
opportunity to apprentice came up. I couldn’t resist.I sort of fell into
it.
Q:How old were you when you started tattooing?
Eileen: 20 yrs old.
Q: What inspires you in your work?
Eileen: Nature is a huge inspiration for me. I usually get inspired
of out nowhere though. I don’t really understand it. I could be doing
the most mundane activity and an image just pops in my head. I try
to scribble it down or at least write a note to myself so I don’t forget.
So, I guess nature and a wondering mind.
Q:what artist would you say influences you the most?
Eileen: Rene Magritte is an artist that will always influence me. As
far as tattooing is concerned... Jeff Gogue is where it’s at. In my
56 Steel Notes Magazine
eyes, his work is perfection. Everything
is so balanced and organic looking.
Q:what is the strangest thing that
has ever happened to you during a
tattoo?
Eileen: I’m not sure. I’m sort of stange
so it’s hard to say. I’ve had people
get emotional and that’s always a
little strange for me. I try to roll with
it. I meet so many different sorts of
people doing what I do. One minute
I could be hearing someone explain
why they think police officers are hot
and the next person will strike up a
conversation about the dentist. I did
have a girl drop out lf beauty school
while I was tattooing her last month. Is
that strange?
Q:Have you ever gotten really
emotional during a tattoo or a tattoo
ever really touch your heart?
Eileen: I’m not super emotional, especially at work. This year I’ve had two men get rather large
tributes to their wives who have passed. One got his wife’s high school portrait tattooed with “My
Sweet Magnolia” underneath. There was also two years listed and the number of years they were
together, thirty-something.
The other dedicated his entire left arm and his knuckles to his
wife. He didnt have a single tattoo before he got her portrait.
He continued his sleeve with a song quote from their song as
well as her favorite flowers. He’s not even fifty and he says
that he doesn’t care if people think it will ruin his chances in
being in another relationship because she was all he needed.
Eileen: Thats so sweet! I do so many name cover ups from
failed relationships that I found both of these stories rather
moving. I waited until they spoke about their wifes and snuck
in that I felt very inspired by them.
Q: Is there anything that you would like to tattoo on
someone that you have not already done?
Yes.,.. Batman!
Q: Where can potential customers find you?
They can go to www.tattoosbymastlellc.com/eileen ♫
Steel Notes Magazine 57
Book Review
IAIN BANKS
- A Song of Stone
Those few who have tasted the delights of Iain
Banks’ writing through his altogether skewed
masterworks such as “The Wasp Factory” and
“Walking on Glass” would be advised to lend a
quiet caution to the decision to embark upon this
novel.
Where previously, he has leaked subtle invention
into plot lines and connected with the tangible
through twists of an actual physical nature,
he dedicates this book almost entirely to a
philosophical treatise on the nature of fidelity and
betrayal.
The story weaves itself in a cyclical and
embittered path less travelled by novelists and
more indebted to the existentialists, themes
being of nature and class and control: A war
(unspecified) forcing the people of a certain
country (undefined) to flee their residences and
escape from an (unknown) enemy whose duty
seems to be to kill everyone in sight.
The first person narrator (throughout) is the
unfortunate owner of a castle who is forced to
return by a female lieutenant to guard the position
from everyone else. The natural propensity
for the kidnapped to develop some kind of
attachment to the kidnappers ensues, and the
story wraps itself around key moments of power
transfer. The characters are developed beautifully
through the eyes of the storyteller, and we are
under no illusion that a tragedy is unraveling.
Bringing to mind Camus, and even Kafka in its
darker moments, it is gripping in the sense that
58 Steel Notes Magazine
we follow the internal monologue of a doomed
protagonist, feeling his pain and insecurities, and
becoming party to his defining moments (via the
medium of flashbacks). At key points, we shiver
with anticipation of the impending catastrophe,
and cannot help but empathise with the mistakes
that bring about the denouement.
There is no heroic emblem, or demonized cipher
in this world. It is a world of reality and fallibility,
peopled by characters that are both weak and
strong in situations that are spiralling out of their
control.
It is also a novel that reduced me to despairing
tears (embarrassingly on the tube), so expect
to be moved, and shocked and turned on and
thrilled.
Beautiful. ♫