I was so excited to see BlackMore, and was waiting outside the venue for doors and it was cold! Once inside, I sat down with Shaunt, Vinny, Adrian, Vahan, and David in these comfy black couch-type things hugging the wall opposite to the bar. My first impression came in two waves: 1) These guys have a LOT of hair…Well, Shaunt and Adrian do, and they have enough to donate a fair amount of hair to the other three members. 2) Wow! These dudes are funny! They said that they had another interview afterwards, so I jumped right into it.

Having read on their bio on their website (www.blackmorela.com), that they auditioned for a singer and the only one suited for them was Adrian, I wanted to know WHY he worked so well with them. This, along with any other question I asked, was immediately responded to with a rowdy burst of laughter than subjected us all to stares by the merch table-haunters and the bartender. Apparently, Adrian’s part in the band was because of “the sexy hair.” “We asked what hair conditioner he used, and he was like ‘Pantene,’” stated Vinny (I think it was Vinny, anyways). “L’Oreal, L’Oreal,” corrected Shaunt, who then explained the actual situation: “Some random dude came in and, well, he sounded like crap. Then Adrian came in and he (fucking) killed it and I was like ‘Dude, you’re a (fucking) awesome guy.” “Hey! Language!” someone interjected. Vinny added that “he was experienced. He knew what he was talking about. Musically, that helped us out a lot…He kind of thrusted us in the right direction.” “Really, I just came with pizza…” corrects Adrian. “He actually brought the name BlackMore,” Vinny explains. “Well, actually it’s this guy,” Adrian says while gesturing at Shaunt. “I just convinced him to change the name,” Adrian continues. “I just wanted it to not be White Horse,” someone adds. Clearly, everyone had their own two cents to throw in; really, it was more like three cents.

So me, being a website designer, had to ask, “Who designed your website, ‘cause it’s really awesome.”  They all started pointing as Adrian coughed loudly to bring attention to him. “Guilty as charged,” Adrian admits, seeming to be very far from modest. It turns out that the amazing artwork on their website and t-shirts is also done by Adrian. “It’s what I do for a living and during the day,” he explains. “I do cartoons for TV.” And you won’t believe this but he works for Marvel! “He’s the Marvel Mystery Man,” Vahan (I think…) declares with laughter. Vinny promptly starts singing, “Can he beeeee my marvel,” and in a…beautiful…voice. “If I could only see the way he love me…” he continues. Apparently his singing was better than times before.

I always find that the childhood’s of musicians can be pretty interesting and so I decided to inquire about theirs. Vinny starts the band off with his story: “When I was seven I started piano, at 13 I got into drums and at 15 I stared taking formal lessons; I slacked off and at 18 started taking it seriously. Now I’m 24 and taking lessons from this guy. He’s my mentor, he’s like an idol for me. Sammy J. Watson from the Appex 3.” Vahan takes over, “Mine was actually a lot similar to his I started piano at seven ‘cause my mom was a piano teacher, at 15 was when I picked up the guitar and it was six months later when I started formal lessons, then that was like the staple where I was like ‘Dude that’s it. I wanna be a musician for the rest of my life.’ Now I’m 20 and I’m in this band, so obviously I’m not doing too well,” as Vahan says that last bit, the whole band breaks into uncontrollable laughter. “Nah, I’m just kidding, I love it,” he corrects. Shaunt decides it’s his turn to talk, but has a lot of trouble figuring out what the topic was since he was Facebook messaging (yes, I saw you). “My pops first got me into classic rock. I wasn’t really into it until 13-14 when he taught we what Sabbath was, what Deep Purple was. I picked up my guitar when I was twelve; I picked up my dad’s guitar and started jamming on that, started writing some tunes and then I realized…I can write songs. And then I’ve wanted to start a band since I was twelve. I’ve been in and out of a couple bands, then I found Vinny and Vinny knew Dave and then when found Adrian and I knew Vahan and it came together and now we’re headlining The Troubadour.” I figured that was a pretty damn good accomplishment. Adrian decided he was next. “I was surrounded with a bunch of musicians, actually, but one of them, my uncle, was an actual professional, international touring musician, so what he did was he bought everyone in the family…guitars, so that’s how it started. I grew up around him.” Last but not least, David got to tell his story. “So I used to watch my grandpa play a lot when I was younger and from there I got into the trumpet and then into a marching band. From there I started playing guitar, the real turning point of things. Oh, and I played piano somewhere in there…from there I started playing the bass and then I had a band. Then I had another band. And hen I had my last band. Then I have this band.” As David finishes, Adrian announces that he had to tell me a story. “When I was a freshman in high school, well someone…was like ‘you should play the flute.’ So I say, ‘Ok, cool.’ I picked it up and I was learning flute but then…this is what my friend said, ‘Dude. You’re not gonna get laid. Drop the flute. Pick up a guitar.’ So I didn’t, I continued flute, and I never got laid. That’s the whole story.” After hearing that, I kept thinking Hey! I’m a flute player! Oh well, what could I do? It was a funny story even though it dissed my instrument. At that point, they all decided they needed to go somewhere, and with that, the interview abruptly halted, but not before they could all yell “Bye Zoe!” into the recorder. These guys were awesome! And if you’ve never heard them/heard of them, go check out their website, listen to their music, leave them a few comments, like them on Facebook, ‘cause these dudes rock!

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2013 Was a great year in music.  Here are some of the best things that happened in the last 12 months

This would be one of my top ten bands in existence today.  The fact that they have not even released a full length EP says everything you need to know about the talent and creativity of this amazing group of musicians.  All I have is a two song demo CD they handed out at a show, and I am addicted.

I saw them for the first time when they were opening for VIZA (another amazing band you must learn about) at a benefit concert.  Blew me away.  I have seen them a couple of times since and have heard some of their new music for the EP. Music fans are in for a real treat.  This band is the real deal.  Learn more at www.blackmorela.com 

Okay, this band is something hard to explain.  I kept hearing them on Pandora radio wondering, “Who is this, and why can’t he sing?”  But I listened more and it grew on me and the voice started to make perfect sense.  Then I saw that they were playing with The Menzingers, a band I really enjoy.   So I went to check them out.  I will never miss a La Dispute show that happens within a 100-mile radius of my house.  They are the most energetic, entertaining and intense band alive today.  It is hard to believe that a band could match the energy of a practically insane audience that knew every word to the songs with the most complicated lyrics.  The band knew how to build, then pull back, then build, then pull back, then build, then absolutely explode with energy.  Jordan Dreyer is a young Jim Morrison.  He is a poet.  He is an entertainer.  He is the best frontman in music today.  Sorry Dudamel.    

Yes, I harp on this band over and over, as does Zoe and Hank.  We simply cannot figure out how this band has not broken out and become a huge deal.  They have it all; talented musicians, creative music, awesome lyrics, and a singer in Dennis Tvrdik who has no peer since Ian Gillian.  The riffs of Class Dismissed; the Power of Kings of Deceit, the catchiness of Call to the Warrior, and the absolute amazing sounds of The Hive and Peace of Mind.  How can it be they still open for others and have 25 minute sets?  I have a dream.  I want to see a full, 90 minute Affiance set someday.   They have to become headliners.  It simply makes no sense if they don’t.

Not sure how this happened, but my guess it had to be La Dispute Radio on Pandora.  A genre called Post-Rock.  I heard a lot of fun, interesting music from bands like El Ten Eleven and Moonlit Sailor, but then A.Armada came on.  It is like eating Ben and Jerry’s after several months of Thrifty Ice Cream.  This band’s music is just beautiful.  The haunting sounds.  The incredible rhythms.  When I have work to do I play this music and I am happy.  The only problem with this band?  They no longer exist.  I tried to contact some of the musicians through Facebook to find out what they are up to now, but to no avail. 

Where have you been all my life?  How could I, the ultimate Black Sabbath addict from the 70s and 80s have not heard of The Sword?  I saw them at Rocklahoma for the first time without knowing anything about them, but they are the closest thing to musical perfection in the “this is my music” category.  I have seen them twice in 2013 and already have tickets for a show in ’14.  Their newest album, Apocryphon is so much fun.  Every song kicks ass.  I have listened to it perhaps 50 or more times this year.  Everywhere I drive, I want The Sword blasting.  

I have posted on Facebook a few dozen times that I want to see All That Remains tour with Affiance.  Can you believe that ATR and Affiance did play my hometown on the same day?  In different venues?  ARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!  I had seen ATR four times this year so I hit the Affiance shows.  But man was that a drag.

This was so much fun…and so bizarre.  I was entertained by Rhythm Coffin, which Zoe has written about before, not to mention the always incredible Radioactive Chicken Heads, who were again an hour of pure delight.  Zoe got to go up on stage and sing Adam, The Amazing Zombie Killer with the band.  The next band was The Maxies, who claim they are from Greenland, but seem really to be from that oasis of the Southwest, San Bernardino, home of the largest municipal bankruptcy. Their latest album, Let’s Go Clubbin’, is not what you think…..the lead guitarist is using his guitar as a club….on a baby seal.  How awesomely crude and disqusting.  Lastly, we were again thrilled by Rosemary’s Billygoat, which put a totally new spin on Pat Benatar’s “Hell is for Children”, a song that used to have some deep meaning for abused kids and the tragedy they face.  Rosemary’s Billygoat’s lead singer rolled out a baby carriage/coffin and then used a pitchfork to dig out a baby doll, which was then torched.  Yes, RBG, hell is for children.  This event was thoroughly disqusting, which of course was the point.  I had my picture taken with the Bible Thumpers outside carrying Jesus Saves signs.  I guess I am a sinner.

Going to Rocklahoma with my daughter Zoe was so awesome.  There are not enough pages on the internet to talk about how awesome that experience was.  I hope I have the money to go every year with her, and the health to hit the pits on the side stages.  I want more than anything for this to be an annual event.

Affiance open for All That Remains (and ATR gives them a good, long set)

Blackmore's EP and a whole lot of live Blackmore shows

Young Guns new album and tour.

10 Years Acoustic show.  Why are they not coming west?

How about Halestorm, Stars in Stereo and Flyleaf go on tour together.

What is Rise Against going to do after Endgame?