CVWW December 2015 - CV WorldWide Magazine

DECEMBER 2015 THE Lifestyle Magazine For Custom Vehicle & Music Enthusiasts
ALWAYS FREE
“WELCOME TO THE FREAKSHOW” is the brainchild
of Jeff LaBar (Cinderella) and Ronnie Borchert aka
*Markus Allen Christopher* (Miss Crazy)
”Welcome To The Freakshow” showcases hioctane ,powerful Hard Rock that blends the melodic
sound of the 80s with a fresh punchy modern production
that is sure to win over many fans worldwide.
But don't take our word for it, make sure to pick up their
new album and get to a show and hear and see for yourself!! They were just here in Vegas and we had a chance
to sit down with them and get the inside scoop of what is
going on with this amazing band!
p. 6
Contents...
Off the Beaten Path:
The Value of Watermarks
In Memoriam to Scott Weiland
3
5
News You Can Use Car-to-Car Communication May Hit Roads Soon
Jamie Paullus
Jamie Paullus continues to
WOW our readers with the BEST
Spokane has to offer - this month:
music greats Corrosion Of Conformity and Clutch!
Page 32
26
Order in the Chaos:
Brien D's Helpful Guitar Tip #1- Riff's Conquered Through
Persistence
30
Clutch Concert Review
34
HAIR TRIGGER: a Comic from Anthony Hitaffer
38
CV WorldWide Magazine
Locally Owned / Nationally Known
Sherry Keith
Mystic Photography continues her up close and personal
view into the Vegas music scene
with old friends of CV WorldWide
Doyle and John 5!.
Page 22
Contact Us: [email protected]
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expenses; this includes but is not limited to, suits for libel, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph.
THE VALUE OF WATERMARKS
who alter or eliminate copyright management
software, ie watermarks or metadata. The Copy
right Act. In official speak – USC Title 12 Sections 1201 – 1205 allows for additional monetary
awards for the mere alteration or removal of such
information. Here’s the skinny but by all means
click on the link and read the entire sections as
We are giving you the facts and the truth here beboth the United States Copyright Office and your
cause we believe you can handle the truth. Please
humble servants want you to do.
note that the author may receive monetary awards
for actual infringement or statutory infringement Secs. 1201 – 1205 in plain English say (in part):
and a separate award of money damages for the * No one is allowed to alter or circumvent copyalteration or elimination of copyright manage- right management software, identifiers etc. withment software.
out the author’s permission nor is anyone permitBefore we get to the straightforward letter of the ted to market in any devices or techniques which
law, remember that it will be much easier for your will enable others to circumvent such software;
lawyer to prove willful copyright infringement if * If you use techniques like encryption, software,
you can demonstrate that the infringer altered or watermarks etc. to track your work and nevertheremoved you watermark, copyright notice, track- less someone eliminates or alters such information
ing data, or metadata. If your image was timely and that the unauthorized alterations/elimination
registered, a finding of willful infringement allows causes you harm, you can sue in federal court;
for a much greater recovery of money in court
than just actual damages and if you are entitled to * The Federal court can award your one or more
request statutory damages (rather than actual of the following: an injunction preventing further
damages), willfulness kicks that statutory number use of the offending image in any form, an order
up as well. Simply put, given timely registration directing the recall and/or destruction of the
the Court has the power to increase the award if goods which use the image, money damages (see
below), reasonable attorneys fees.
the infringement is deemed willful.
A finding of willful infringement allows the court * The money damages may take the form of actuto award a minimum award of $30,000 all the al damages $200 – $2,500 per act of circumvenway up to $150,000. A finding of willfulness – as tion or statutory damages which may run $2,500 –
opposed to an “innocent infringement” – allows $25,000 per act of circumvention. The statutory
for a greater amount of money to be awarded to damages may be increased by the court if the inthe photographer because the Copyright Law says fringer is a for example a repeat offender. Certain
violations constitute criminal conduct and the
just that.
penalties can go to fines of $500,00 – $1,000,000
Additionally… there are consequences to those or a 5 or 10-year prison sentence.
Confusion about the legal effect of watermarks
and other copyright management information by
visual artists reigns. Such misunderstandings and
myths are created and then bolstered by bloggers
who merely and uncritically repeat the false musings of others.
Note: these damages may be separate and apart
from any monies sued for and which may be recovered arising out of the infringing use of the
image. These damages refer to the mutilation or
removal of management software. Actual or statutory damages recovered for the infringement(s)
is/are a separate item(s).
* There are certain enumerated exceptions for
law enforcement, broadcasters and certain not for
profit institutions like libraries. There are other
exceptions addressed to analog media and certain
types of transmitted materials. Again, these exceptions are listed and spelled out right there in
the law.
If after reading the sections you are confused or
have questions about anything you see, you can
send us a question or consult your own attorney.
Do not, do not, seek guidance or legal advice
from other photographers, illustrators, bloggers,
agents, reps or self appointed experts who, daily
repeat the myths posted by other unqualified
“opinionators” or simply make up their own
“law”.
Time to use a cliche’ here: “Opinions are like
(pick a body part), everyone has one” whereas
these statutes are laws composed in black and
white.
Edward Greenburg/Jack Reznicki
The Copyright Zone
Thecopyrightzone.com
In Memoriam…
Just a short while ago the music industry lost an iconic figure in Scott Weiland. Weiland was the former
front man for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. He died in his sleep less than a week before this
issue comes to you.
Weiland had a distinctive voice & style, singing in the lower register with almost a growl that set the tone
of STP's sound, his onstage persona also flamboyant and chaotic. He's been called one of the three "voices
of a generation" of the 90's, alongside Kurt Cobain & Layne Staley.
Weiland died short of his 50th birthday, his star shining bright for the short time we basked in its glow.
His style, energy, and charisma were second to none, but in his quiet moments he battled demons that
would not let him go. This is a stark reminder to us all that the shell that we see in a person, the form in
which they reside, might not show the entire picture of their life, their struggles, and their fears. We don't
know the battles that go on in the mind and body of many people we know, and Weiland was no different.
He was human. He was a star. He was a troubled soul.
The world lost a great person, a great musician, and the world of music mourns his passing.
RIP Scott Weiland
Photo Credit: Alex Rauch For KROQ
<CV> Let’s start off with getting a little background on the both of you. Jeff, what first got
you into music and at what age? What made you
say "this is what I want to do?”
<JEFF> My older brother Jack. Are you recording? *laugher*
<CV> Yes *laughter*
<JEFF> Ok, just making sure. *laughter* My
older brother Jack when I was in grade school,
8,9,10. He started playing guitar. He was into
Yes, Janis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, that kind of
stuff. He got me into music, he got my parents
into music and he started playing guitar. I used to
play his guitar in front of a mirror to Alice
Cooper records, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and
because my parents got into music they used to
take me to concerts. My dad got into the classical
rock, Yes, Janis and Pink Floyd. That’s how it all
began for me.
<JEFF> I was in a band called Precious Metal.
We opened for Cinderella on many occasions.
Cinderella was the House Band at The Galaxy in
South Jersey every Saturday night at midnight
and they would pack the place every Saturday
night. So we got to open for them every now and
then. I would play, I would run upstairs, get
changed and run right back downstairs and be
like, I need to be that guy! When Michael Kelly
Smith was the guitar player I was like I’m so
much better than him, I should be in this band. I
went to High School with Tom’s wife and Eric’s
wife.
<CV> Oh Wow
<JEFF> Yea so that helped. So they got signed,
they got record deals offers countless, but every
company said the guitar player and the drummer
have to go. They only wanted to sign Tom and
Eric. So finally after so many offers, they took an
offer from Mercury Polygram, but they said you
have to replace those two guys. So I auditioned
and Tom came to me and said you know what’s
going on. EVERYBODY knew what was going
<CV> Now, of course we all know you were in on in South Jersey and Philadelphia. I was like
Cinderella. I believe you joined them in 85? Give absolutely! He said, do you want to audition? I
us a little history on that experience.
was like Fuck Yea! I was like I’m supposed to be
in your band! I auditioned with Reggie Wu from
Heavens Edge, “Snake” Dave Sabo from Skid
Row, a whole bunch of people auditioned and I
got the gig.
<CV> What have you been doing since then? I
understand you have a solo cd out yes? Can you
tell us about that?
<JEFF> Yeah, I made a solo record. Tom, after
our last tour I believe in 2012, they told me after
the tour that they did not want to bring this up
during the tour but Tom’s putting out a solo record that he has been working on for like 15 years
or something that I actually played on. It started
out to be Cinderella music with our Sony deal
that got dropped or whatever. So it was put to
me and my wife Debbie and my tour manager
Larry Morand were like you have been threatening to put out a solo record for years so now is
the time. So I did it. My wife kicked me in the
ass a few times and so did Larry. So when Tom
put out his solo record I was like ok, I will do
mine. I put it out on Rat Pack
<CV> Oh yea, I know who they are.
that yet. *laughing* So that was before
I did my solo record.
<JEFF> Yea, right?
<MARKUS> What about the album you did
before that, what was that?
<JEFF> The album I did before that?
<CV> Markus, now it’s your turn. Let's
get a little background on you. What
first got you into music and at what
age? What made you say "this is what I
want to do?
<MARKUS> Yea, the album you did before
that in 2009.
<MARKUS> I went to a
<JEFF> I didn’t do an album before that.
<JEFF> Kiss Show!
<CV> Stonehenge
<MARKUS> Kiss Concert
<JEFF> Stonehenge *laughter*
<JEFF> I knew it! *laughing*
<MARKUS> Yea, I did this album with this
guy named Jeff Labar in 2009.
<MARKUS> I went to a Kiss concert
when I was a little boy and my dad
made me rake 8 bags of leaves to get the
ticket to see them. I went with my soccer
coach and his kid and some kids from
school and it changed my life.
<JEFF> Oh Oh I’m sorry, Oh my god
<CV> Ohhhhhhh *laughter*
<JEFF> Hell yea! I did that Freakshow record
with fuckin Markus,”Ronnie” and Frankie Banali and Tony Franklin.
<CV> Gee I think I have that album. *laughing*
<JEFF> I didn’t know we were moving on to
Paul Stanley, man he really made me
want to do this for real. My parents, my
mom was really big into Neal Diamond
and Elvis Presley, you know what I
mean? I was a little guy and I loved that
shit! I really did, I liked the melodies you know?
I was always a melody guy. My mom took me to
see Neal Diamond then I eventually saw Kiss
too. My dad was into Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.
*laughing*
<JEFF> That’s how I found out about him,
that’s how we met! *laughter from all in room*
<Jeff> That’s how we fuckin met!
<JEFF> Really?
<MARKUS> Yea, and Van Halen and Scorpions. So he kind of pushed all that shit on me
and I was just brought up correctly. At the same
time being influenced as a teenager with Cinderella, Quiet Riot, AC DC, Kiss, Def Leppard and
Ratt. Those bands kind of molded me to want to
play this stuff for real. It wasn’t just a joke.
<CV> Give us a little background on some of
the bands you have been in. Of course many of
us know you are singer of Miss Crazy! Give us a
little history on that experience and any other
projects you have been involved in.
<MARKUS> Yea I did some albums before
Miss Crazy. I was in a band called Amsterdam
and we did 4 albums, then I was in a band called
Trixie and we did 3 albums. I was in a band
with Lonnie Vincent called Ham Sandwich and
we did 3 albums. *laughter from all in room*
<CV> I think you told me about that and I was
like no you were not. * laughing*
<JEFF> He’s done way more records than I
have.
<MARKUS> Yea this new album with Welcome To The Freakshow makes my 36th album.
<CV> Is it really? Wow
<JEFF> Your fuckin kidding me *laughter from
all in room*
<MARKUS> I’ve done a solo album.
<JEFF> Including what you have produced.
<MARKUS> Yea, I’ve produced some bands
and stuff. Then I did Freakshow with Jeff and
Frankie and that helped a lot. I did 5 albums
with Miss Crazy. I developed a really good underground following worldwide and now I’m in
Welcome To The Freakshow with this fuckin
guy here.
<JEFF> This fuckin guy *laughing*
<CV> Do you know how I found out about
Markus? Myspace. Do you remember Myspace?
<CV> Now, out of all the different projects,
tours, etc. Is there one thing that is memorable
for the both of you, one thing that sticks out
more than anything?
<JEFF> You mean other than Cinderella?
<CV> It doesn’t matter, it can be anything.
<JEFF> Well Cinderella for me was the pinnacle of my career. Other than Cinderella I
played with Eric Brittingham’s wife in Naked
Beggars, Eric Brittingham being the bass player
for Cinderella.
<CV> Right
<JEFF> Eric and I have played in quite a few
other bands together. When Cinderella is not
doing anything we do other stuff. We also
played in a band called Cheap Thrill.
<CV> That’s right, I think you guys have
played at Vamp’d a few times
<JEFF> Yes
<CV> Unfortunately I was not able to go to it,
but I really wanted to.
<MARKUS> Yea, he went and got a cheap
thrill.*In a mobster voice*
*laughter from all in room*
The reason that Cinderella has been together with
the same 4 guys for so long is because all we try to
do is make each other laugh.
<CV> Well that’s a good thing.
<JEFF> So specific funny stories.
<Markus> Yea Fred is pretty funny.
<JEFF> I could go on and on about Fred.
<MARKUS> He does the voices like I do too.
<JEFF> Right?
<MARKUS> Yea, I did it on the phone with
him.
<JEFF> I’ve played on countless records and
cover tunes and tribute records and all that stuff. <JEFF> Oh my god that’s so funny.
Freakshow was back in ’09. Freakshow was the
<MARKUS> *In a Gene Simmons voice* He
fuckin coolest thing I’ve got to do!
did his Gene Simmons and I did my Gene Sim<MARKUS> Yea, we really wanted to tour that mons. *Room erupts in laughter*
bad!
<MARKUS> * In a Paul Stanley Voice* But my
<JEFF> We did!
Paul Stanley is better than his Paul Stanley.
<CV> So what happened with that?
<JEFF> I know, oh my god that is so funny.
<MARKUS> Well, we really don’t want to go “At this point Markus and Jeff are doing differinto it but it was something that really fuckin lit ent voices back and forth and we are all dying of
the fire under our asses! It showed us we got this laughter.”
shit down!
<CV> God I wish this was video *laughing*
<JEFF> This really should be on video
<CV>I don’t know why I am asking this
<CV> I know! That is what I was just saying!
*laughing* Are there any funny stories to share
*everyone in room is in hysterics as the voices
from the past experiences for either of you from
between Markus and Jeff continue*
being on tour?
<CV> *laughing* I am curious how you guys
<JEFF> Nope *laughter from all in room*
are gonna be in like a week *laughing*
<JEFF> Nope, nothing funny ever happened.
<JEFF> More Punch drunk?
*laughter*
<CV> NO? OK fine, NEXT! *laughing*
<JEFF> NO I’m kidding! *laughing*
<CV> Ok, I hear some good stuff sometimes so
that’s why I started asking this question.
*laughing*
<JEFF> Hmmm funny stories….
<MARKUS> I have funny stories about other
people. *laughter from all in room*
<JEFF> Touring is funny. Touring with Cinderella, all we try to do is make each other laugh.
<MARKUS> We will probably be more better
of a band *laughing*
<JEFF> Yea, we will be better in a week
*laughing*
<CV> Oh geeze *laughing* Ok, this question is
for both of you. What did you learn from your
past experiences music wise that you have
brought to this new project?
<JEFF> *laughing* Nothing
<CV> Well that was easy *laughing* Nothing?
<MARKUS> Well that is easy, what have you
learned? I’ve done numerous records and tours.
I’m not on as a big of a scale as Cinderella and
stuff, but I’ve toured the whole US and played
some big festivals. I’ve played in front of some
30 thousand and some people. Not like Russia
like this guy *points to Jeff* he played to like 60
thousand or something like that. This guy has
done some of the most fabulous fucken live
shows. Opening for Bon Jovi, AC DC and David Lee Roth. I saw all those shows. When you
are in a crowd and you see that shit with the PA
and the lights and the fuckin flipping of the guitars, you try harder than the next guy. That was
my thing. I would go you know what, I need to
be better than the next dude and if I wasn’t I
would go in my room and I would fuckin get it
down you know what I mean? Like Jeff, I
would stand in front of that mirror and get my
shit together.
<JEFF> *laughing* When I was a kid and I
went to concerts as a teenager, it just encouraged me, it made me want to do that. What’s
the word?
<MARKUS> Influence
<JEFF> Yea, influence
<MARKUS> With admiration ya know? You
see something like that and you say I can do
that and I can do it better ya know?
<JEFF> I didn’t really think that, I was more
like that was so awesome and I want to THAT
more.
*laughter from all in room*
<CV> Now, the both of you have toured
pretty much all over the world, do you have a
favorite place to play and why?
<JEFF> I love Tokyo.
<CV> I hear that a lot.
<JEFF> Yes, I love Tokyo, Japan because I’m
half Japanese. My mother’s Japanese so every
time I tour in Japan
<MARKUS> Like Ace Frehley
<JEFF> Yes, I would bring my mom with me.
<CV> Oh, very nice!
<JEFF> I think we did 3 tours throughout Japan and I brought my mother with me every
time. The promoter there gave my mother like
20 laminates. I got to see all my family and she
would collect all 20 laminates at the end of the
night and at the next show I would meet 20
more people in my family or in her family. So
Tokyo is my favorite, aside from the US. Every
other country is weird. The food is kinda weird
or the weather is kinda weird, you know. When
I first started touring the south I was like wow, I
have never been out of Philadelphia. When I
pissed! *laughing*
<MARKUS> There was people from in the front
of the stage all the way down the street! Then you
look to your left and there is the fuckin Space
Needle! It was crazy! Of course with it being
Hempfest I was stoned out of my mind!
<CV> *Looking at Jeff* This is why I call him
Stonehenge *laughing
<JEFF> Oh my god that is so funny *laughing*
<MARKUS> Then the editor and chief
of ,what is that magazine?
<Beau Fox> High Times
<MARKUS> Yea, High Times Magazine intro
duced us!
<CV> Nice!
was down South I was like wow everyone is so
cool. *laughing* For me though it would be Tokyo and through out Japan, that is my favorite.
<CV> Markus, what about you?
<MARKUS> I have a few. I’ve only toured the
US a couple times but when I did do it there were
really great crowds in Texas.
<JEFF> Yea, the south.
<MARKUS> Yea the south, but then for me it
was like the East Coast. We did really well in
Philadelphia, Jersey, Wisconsin and then all of
Iowa.
<JEFF> The mid-west is really cool too.
<MARKUS> Yea, he comes out and says Are
you guys fuckin ready? So what do we do? We
come out with fuckin Quiot Riot… Bam,bam
bam,bam, bam bam bam bam.. *In the tune of
Bang Your Head* I swear to god everyone
came out of everywhere. There was a guy that
fell out of a tree. *laughter from all in room*
<JEFF> What??? *laughing*
<MARKUS> It was so crazy and out of the
blue. It was like 10 thousand people that were
back there and then out of the blue it was 35
thousand! It was crazy, that was one of the best
times I have ever had!
<JEFF> *Still laughing* Fell out of a tree?
*everyone bursts out laughing again*
<MARKUS> Yea, and in Minnesota. It’s like <CV> I wonder what he was doing up there?
they really grasp the shit! You’ve got a hard sell *everyone laughing*
in California and New York or something, but <MARKUS> I have never seen so many peoeverywhere else is great!
ple run towards a stage. Here I am giving
Frankie Banali props for that, but that fuckin
<CV> What about when you played Hempfest?
riff man… Bam,bam bam…
<MARKUS> OH SHIT!
<CV> Oh yea,oh shit *laughing*
<MARKUS> I had turtle head coming out of my
butt that day! *laughter from all in room* Seriously that was for like 35 thousand people!
<CV> I know, I did not know about you guys
then so I did not get to see you guys there, I was
<CV> This question is for the both of you. What
is your favorite thing about being on that stage
and performing live?
<JEFF> My favorite thing? Oh god.
<CV> Besides
*laughing*
throwing
picks
at
people?
<JEFF> Well, that’s not “my” favorite, I do that
for them. *laughing* Um, god that’s a hard question. What’s my favorite thing about being on
stage. Just playing, it’s going to be a boring and
simple question. It’s just playing. When I was a
teenager I never expected that I would do this for
a living. I never said, Oh, I’m gonna be a rock
star. No, I never even expected, thought or dared
to dream. I just played guitar because I enjoyed it.
So I think my favorite part of performing is just
playing and getting the feedback from people. To
see people enjoying it. That’s a lame answer isn’t
it?
<CV> No, not at all!
<MARKUS> I’m kind of the same way you
know. I play bass now in Freakshow, Welcome
To The Freakshow . I keep saying Freakshow, I
have to stop saying that.
<CV> Yea, I’m going to ask about that a little later, go ahead.
<JEFF> Oh Boy.
<MARKUS> I love playing bass though. I’ve always been natural at it and I played bass before I
played guitar. So now I’m back on bass and that’s
really good, and I play a Fender. I really loved
playing guitar.
<CV> Well and you are really good at it.
<MARKUS> Thank-you. When you are on stage
there is thing that comes over you. Whether it’s 5
people or 500 people, there’s nothing like pleasing
somebody with something you create. It’s like a
painting you know? You paint a picture and
someone says I have to have that in my living
room!
<JEFF> Right!
<MARKUS> That’s gratification. That means
more than money.
<CV> Alright, let’s get to your current project.
First, there seems to be some confusion on the
actual name of the band. Some think it’s
Freakshow, and some think it’s Welcome To
the Freakshow. Can you shed some light on that
to clear up the confusion?
<MARKUS> There really isn’t any. *laughing*
Jeff, you tell them.
<JEFF> *Laughing* You want me to tell them?
<MARKUS> Sure. Two different bands, two
different albums
<JEFF> When we did the Freakshow record.
*Looks at Markus* Really? You want me to say
it?
<Markus> Yea
<JEFF> Frankie basically took possession, or
hostage *laughing* of half the band and half the
rights to everything. We wanted to tour, we
thought we were going to tour.
<MARKUS> We had great guys lined up
<CV> I remember you telling me a little about
that.
<MARKUS> Yea but Frankie wouldn’t allow it,
he wouldn’t let us do it. So here we are now and
we got this new album Welcome to the
Freakshow.
<JEFF> That’s why we changed it to Welcome
To The Freakshow because he owns the rights to
Freakshow.
<MARKUS> With me, and when you are the
50/50 guys if he doesn’t say ok, I can’t do it.
<CV> Right
<MARKUS> You know, I’m gonna tell you this
and I want to end it with this.
<CV> Ok
<MARKUS> That album was great and it
changed our lives in a way if you know what I
mean.
<JEFF> It’s such a great album
<CV> I agree, I have it and I love it!!
<MARKUS> I’m very very very proud of it and
glad I got to play with Frankie and Tony and
Jeff.
<JEFF> Me too
<MARKUS> But that’s the past now and I wish
both of those guys the best and they are great
players and God Bless them. You know what I
mean? We are doing this now and no one can
stop us.
<CV> How did you come up with the name for
the band?
<MARKUS> It was the first song off that album
and it was popular. So what we did was rerecorded the songs we wanted to do and we added a few new ones there and we realized we did
it. Now we are more excited about doing another
one.
<CV> Good, and I know how you work so I
knew another one would not be far behind.
<MARKUS> Yea, well we love those songs and
we wanted to give them to people, we wanted to
play them, but at the same time we didn’t want
to play the songs like the same versions with
Frankie. We wanted to do new energy and it is
6 years later right? So we called it that and we
did those songs so we could actually give them to
people and so we could sell it without having
somebody throw an attorney at us or something.
<JEFF> *laughing* Throwing an attorney at us?
<MARKUS> Throwing him *laughing*
<CV> How did this project start? What was
the catalyst behind it. Give us a rundown how it
all came together.
<JEFF> He called me. After I got my hair cut!
*laugher from all in room*
<MARKUS> Yea, I called him but he didn’t
answer! Then he called me and said Hey what’s
up? What are you doin?
<JEFF> Fuckin Markus!
<MARKUS> After we got done talking, he
said alright I’m in.
<JEFF> Oh yea, that’s all it took. He called me
and said we can do this! We’ve been wanting to
do this for years. I forgot about it. *laughter from
all in room* No No, lost cause. We can’t do it
because of the Frankie situation. So he fuckin
called me and said we are going to call it Welcome To The Freakshow and that’s how we are
getting around it. We will re-record everything.
<MARKUS> From scratch again, you know?
<JEFF> I said I’m in, I’m fuckin in! I wanted to
do it then. I so wanted to do it then.
<Markus> Then we got Tom Frost who is a
drummer virtuoso, he’s a great guy and he has a
great attitude.
<JEFF> He’s a good engineer in the studio.
<MARKUS> It’s a good vibe! We have a good
time.
<CV> How did you know this line-up was the
right fit?
<JEFF> It was just potluck. *laughter from all
in room* I’m kidding, I’m kidding.
<MARKUS> I already knew what I did with
Jeff in Freakshow and knew what he was capable of. He knew I was very similar to the things
that he was into. I had a track record with Tom
already ghost drumming on some of the Miss
Crazy Albums. It was a no brainier. I felt
comfortable inserting these guys into this project.
Now we are all buddies and stuff it’s funny. We
make fun of each other and everything.
<JEFF> *laughing*
<CV> Do they know you make fun of them?
*laughing*
<MARKUS> Of course
<CV> Just making sure *laughing*
<MARKUS> We make fun of each other every
day. A lot of gay jokes amongst each other.
*laughing*
<CV> *laughing*
lot of emotions and a lot of being angry and a
lot of this and that. Pointing fingers at this guy
and that guy, but when it really comes down to
it, me and Jeff fuckin know we are supposed to
play together. He knows it and I know it. This
is what was initially going to happen. I was
just going to play guitar because in Freakshow
the album I was the guitar player and we had
Tony Franklin. So I practiced my ass off to the
Freakshow album with him playing on it and I
learned all his parts and then I incorporated
my own style and then I said you know what?
I’m going to be more of a team player and I
got Jeff and I’m going to play bass and then we
got this great drummer Tom and we’re kicking
these tunes out, and before you know it we’ll
have another album so we won’t have to rely on
previous material. I did write it all, Freakshow
did start out as a solo album. Jeff was going to
do my solo album and then it turned into
Freakshow when we got Frankie. So we are very
motivated to succeed, no matter what happens
we are going to give it our best shot.
<CV> I know you said a little about it, but the
song writing process, is it a group effort or do
you write it all?
<MARKUS> Well, I come up with the initial
ideas you know what I mean? Yea on the last
two albums I have done a majority of it but we
are going to expand that a little bit and make it
more of a band effort. I even encouraged Jeff to
sing a few songs or at least one song on the next
record.
<CV> That would be very cool.
<CV> You just came out with a new album. Tell
us about that and how is it being received thus
far?
<MARKUS> Well it’s kind of new still. We really didn’t do a lot of PR for it yet, but we just got
new management and we just signed with a new
booking agency. So we are just testing the waters
right now. We are going to get it out and so people can see us live. We have a new video that is at
11 thousand plays or something like that, which is <CV> What is the motivation behind the music
good for a 4 week span. It’s anniversary is 4 you write? On this album do any of the songs
weeks today. It’s growing rapidly and people are speak to you on a personal level?
getting the word out there and stations are playing < MARKUS> You know, yea. The album is
it. Eddie Trunk has been playing us and we have very emotional because even though it’s recreated but from emotions that were carried over
a debut on KNAC this week.
from experiences in life and people you meet. It
<CV> I saw that, that’s very cool.
<MARKUS> Yea, we are going to keep it rolling was a heavy album. I was in a stage where I had
you know? I think it’s more an opportunity that 6 some relationships that kind of didn’t work out
years later Jeff and I can still do this and we can the way you expected them to and there was
do it better than we did then because we did not some emotions there. Now the new things we
have the opportunity to do it. We went through a do will be from new experiences but everything
is pretty real. I don’t make shit up. Usually. wrote this cool thing and I’m like does he ever
*laughs*
sleep? *laughing*
<JEFF> *laughing*
<MARKUS> Well hey, you know that is what
<CV> Usually? *laughing>
sucks. Sometimes you never know, I will sit
<MARKUS> Yea, I always have some reason there I swear to god, I will sit there all fuckin
for something.
day and come up with shitty stuff. Or I won’t
come up with a song for a month. Then I will be
going to sleep and I am really comfortable, eve<CV> Let’s discuss the recording process itself. rything’s great, I’ve got my dogs
Any likes or dislikes about it? I get a lot of artists *Jeff starts laughing*
who say they love being in the studio and I get a and this melody starts and this riff goes. I’m like
lot of people who say they can’t stand it.
you know what? If I don’t get up and fuckin do
<MARKUS> Oh god, tracking is the greatest. this song right now I’m going to forget a great
It’s fun as hell. Making an album is the greatest, tune. So when you saw that post it was for The
I love it!
Way That You Love Me, that song’s on our
<JEFF> For me I am the exact opposite. I love new album
playing live and I love performing. Studio for <CV> Is that what that was?
me is like work. Ya know, I’m like shit, I have <MARKUS> Yea, that’s what that song was.
to work. I have to actually do something well. We are going to be making a video for that too!
When I’m on stage that is really natural to me, <CV> Nice!
but when I go into the studio I’m like fuck, I
have to play well, I have to do good stuff. Every <RANDOM GUYS IN ROOM> Hey, do you
time I record, I’m like man, that could have to- guys mind if we smoke a bowl over here?
tally been better or I come up with better stuff <MARKUS> Please!
after I’ve already recorded it. Then I go out live <JEFF> On no, not at all! *laughing*
and play the cooler stuff.
<MARKUS> Please smoke that bowl! Please
<MARKUS> *laughing*
Do! *laughing*
<JEFF> Ya know, I fucking hate that! It’s kind <CV> Well that’s going to be an interesting part
of because I’m lazy. *laughter from all in room* of the interview *laughing*
It’s like I go into the studio and I’m like, Oh you <RANDOM GUYS> *laughing* I have a liwant a solo *starts making guitar sounds*
cense, I don’t know what you are talking about.
<CV> I don’t know how I’m going to type that. *everyone in room laughing*
*everyone laughing*
<JEFF> Oh, you can type it like “scan a flan a
flan, scan scan.” *everyone in room laughing*
<CV> *laughing* I will remember that!
<CV> Musically, who are your biggest musical
<JEFF> That’s what I do.
influences? Is there any artist you try to emulate
<MARKUS> Just put in parentheses guitar nois- and why?
es *laughing*
<MARKUS> Def Leppard
<CV> There you go!
<JEFF> *laughing Def Leppard?
<JEFF> Sometimes I listen to it back and I say <CV> You were influenced or you try to emuOh, that kinda sucks and then I will come up late them?
with something better live on stage.
<MARKUS> Well, I’ve always tried to emulate
<MARKUS> I do that too, I get that part. I love the better singers. Robert Plant, Def Leppard,
to record, I love to record, I just do. Some peo- Joe Elliot, Brian Johnson ,Tom Keifer even. I
ple do, some people don’t.
learned so much from these guys. Where a lot of
<CV> I remember seeing posts from you at 2 am singers have trouble with that stuff. I wanted to
saying OH MY GOD I couldn’t sleep and I just go high.
<JEFF> *in a James Brown kind of voice*
H.I.G.H. , H.I.G.H. *everyone in room laughing*
<MARKUS> I wanted to be really loud. I wanted the trip those guys did, I wanted the charisma
that they had when that voice came out. Like
Keifer.
<JEFF> Right
<MARKUS> That due brought it. Fuckin Night
Songs and shit! I was like fuck that’s awesome!
Joe Elliot with that shit that he pulls out, Brian
Johnson on “Back In Black” and oh my god,
ENDLESS amounts of Robert Plant!
<CV> Oh yea, I love Robert Plant!
<MARKUS> You see, Robert Plant is really into Elvis, and I am really into Elvis. So it was almost like that guy was meant for me to learn off
of, and who better to learn from than the better
ones. I never listened to a “Keel” album and
tried to sound like that.
<JEFF> *laughing along with everyone in
room*
<MARKUS> Or Black And Blue or something
like that.
<JEFF> *laughing* Black And Blue? *laughing*
<MARKUS> Yea, exactly. There are goofy
bands and then there are the real ones.
<JEFF> *laughing* Goofy bands? *laughing*
Don’t quote him on that.
<MARKUS> *laughing*
<CV> Oh I’m sure he will get with me later and
say don’t put in this or this. *laughing*
<JEFF> *laughing* Don’t quote him on goofy
bands. The singer for Black And Blue will be
like, Markus said this, we’re goofy. *everyone in
room laughing*
<CV> The reason I ask that is because I get
some people that will tell me I want to be like
this person or that person, and I’m like No, you
need to be yourself. Just like you Markus, when
you sing, I don’t need anyone to tell me it’s you,
because you have that sound, I know it’s you.
<JEFF> There you go!
<MARKUS> Thank-you, but at the same time I
wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for the people
I named.
<JEFF> Of course
<CV> Well yea, absolutely
<MARKUS> You only learn from the best at
anything you do. Like when I was a guitar player. You know what I love about this guy
*pointing at Jeff* He just gets to fuckin play guitar! You know, if I couldn’t sing, oh I would just
get miserable because I would just want to grab
the mic and sing. I love playing guitar too.
<CV> Remember what I told you that time I
saw the Miss Crazy performance and you
weren’t playing guitar and you were just standing
there singing, I was like that’s just not right,
that’s not you.
<MARKUS> I don’t know what you’re talking
about.
<CV> Exactly.
<JEFF> Oh boy *laughing*
<MARKUS> *laughing*
<CV> Right now, who do you like to listen to
during your down time?
<MARKUS> I like pop stuff, like Ga Ga and
Britney. Classic hard rock and I have been getting into Sweet lately, better late than never. Lol
<CV>I know the both of you have families, is it
hard trying to juggle all of that?
<JEFF> No
<MARKUS> It is for me a little bit.
<JEFF> Nope
<MARKUS> He’s more used to it.
<JEFF> Well I’ve been doing it for a long time.
I’ve been doing it for over 30years. My son Sebastian is taking over the family business. My
son Sebastian plays guitar for a band Mach22.
He is way better than me, he is 22 years old and
he is teaching. He’s basically picking up where I
left off. As far as my family, this is what I
do. This is what I’ve always done.
<CV> So they are very supportive, that’s great.
<JEFF> Oh yea, yea. My wife Debbie she’s like
you’re going where? Whatever. *laughter from
all in room*
<CV> Markus, how is your family with what
you are doing?
<MARKUS> It is difficult but it has to happen,
and there is always some sort of thing, but either
way it gets worked out, and if not then I deal.
<CV> When you are not on the road or in the
studio, what do you like to do during your
downtime?
<MARKUS> Have a job, PlayStation and Football games. I like sports a lot. Also I like to write
new music if I can.
<CV> The music business can be very tough.
What do you like the most, and what do you
like the least? What motivates and inspires you ords sell 3 million copies. Even with the biggest
to keep pushing forward?
artists like Lady Ga Ga or Taylor Swift or what<MARKUS>I think the music industry is into ever, they don’t sell that much as far as record
making big money. Hard Rock is no longer that sales or cd sales or whatever. Now it’s fuckin Ifor them. It sucks because the internet has de- Tunes.
stroyed record companies and has made it to <MARKUS> The pirates, all the pirating.
where people steal music and bands like us suf- <JEFF> Yea, it’s like there is way less money to
fer. Shame on you people.
be made. We have to figure out other ways to
make money. Fuckin Pandora pays pennies.
<CV> I heard Spotify is the same way.
<CV> What are your thoughts on the use and <JEFF> Oh it’s horrible. Basically music has
necessity of Social Media?
gotten a lot cheaper and artists don’t get rich an<MARKUS> Well, I think there really is no ymore. Unless your Beyonce.
choice because that’s what society has turned
<CV> I was actually sent the Iron Maiden alinto. It’s not the way it used to be. I kind of miss bum before it came out to do a review on it.
Myspace. We were talking about that the other The way they sent it to me, I can’t remember the
day.
term but it had a code attached to it. So if I sent
<JEFF> *laughing* Right?
that to anyone they would know and I would be
<MARKUS> It used to be so fun. I used to have sued, what have you. So I was thinking about
a page where I had like 120 thousand friends.
that and I’m like why can’t you do that when
On FB I can only have a certain amount. Social you are selling your music online, so if someone
Media is our way of life now. It’s the connec- is trying to steal and pirate it. I was like why
tions, everyone knows about it, they get in- doesn’t anyone else have that capability? Is it
formed by things, we need it in this day and age because it’s Iron Maiden?
definitely.
<JEFF> I don’t know, it’s all so new. It’s still so
new to everybody, and trying to make money
off of trying to be a musician has become a lot
<CV> Now this is touchy for some artists but harder.
it’s a question I like to ask. How do you feel <CV> Yea there are many that I talk to now that
about music download sales, would you prefer a have to have day jobs.
return to CD's and Vinyl?
<JEFF> Exactly
<JEFF> Well, it’s a lot less profitable. The way <CV> I spent Easter interviewing Doyle from
music is sold today, back in my day. *laughter*
The Misfits, and some of the things he was
Our first record sold like 3 million copies and I telling me I was just like wow. He said the same
got fuckin paid. Today with downloads and so- thing you did about Japan too. He loves Japan.
cial media and all that, first of all not many rec-
<JEFF> I love Japan!
<CV> Tell us about the music industry today
and where do you think Freakshow fit’s in?
<Markus> It doesn't, that is why it is so difficult. We are a Hard Rock band and we have to
survive on the real Hard Rockers out there and
that are left.
<CV>I realize this project is just starting out,
but where do you see the journey of Freakshow
going?
<Markus> Well we just did this album and we
will do some more shows and a few more videos
for songs on the record. We will do interviews
and we will take this thing with a humble mind
because we will be grateful for whoever likes
us. Hard Rock is a tough sell these days.
<CV>With the both of you having years of experience in this industry, what advice would you
give to a new band just starting out?
<CV> Vegas was the first stop on this tour,
where do you go next? How many shows do
you have lined up right now?
<Markus> Arizona, Hollywood, San Jose,
Washington, Oregon and Redding, Ca. Then we
are gonna release some new videos and plan for
next year.
<CV> What can fans expect to see at a
Freakshow performance?
<Markus> A Hard Rock band that plays classic
Hard Rock and some bad ass music.
<CV> How did the both of you meet and how
do you guys like together? Obviously you guys
get along very well.
<Markus> We met on Myspace and we see eye
to eye. We understand each other and we both
love football. I love this guy, he’s funny and we
crack up about shit. If anything ,I’m really excited about the things we are going to do.
<JEFF> Myspace. Yea, I was all into Myspace.
Like very morning I would get up and I would
get right on the computer and I would be on
Myspace for hours. So people would send me
music all the time. I listened to everything.
Markus sent me, Ronnie, sent me some Miss
Crazy stuff and I was like wow! This is really
cool! I was like it ,kind of sounds like Cinderella
type music. So I wrote him back saying that, I
was like wow this is fuckin cool. He was like
hey, I’m gonna a solo record, do you want to
play on it? Want to know what I said?
<Markus> Be better than everyone else and have
good songs, because without that it does not
matter. Everyone is a good player, but what can
you do with a bunch of guys? Bottom line is this
key, good songs and be better than the next guy
because there are so so so many out there who
think they are the shit.
<CV> You said fuck yea?
<CV> I know that this tour just started for you <JEFF> I said how much money you got?
*laughter from all in room*
and Vegas was your first show yes? How did
that show go?
<JEFF> Straight up, straight up! I said how
much money you got? We set a price and we
<Markus> We were dead tired from driving 12
struck a deal. I was like yea! I’ll play on your sohours, but I don't know. You tell me. You were lo record. From that Frankie Banali got on
there. (Smiles)
board because Frankie and I always wanted to
do something together. So Frankie got on board
<CV> I think it was Amazing and can’t wait to
and he got Tony Franklin together and the rest
see you guys rock the stage again!
is history.
<CV> Well it seems like you guys get along
very well, you guys are a good fit.
<JEFF> Me and Markus get a long great!
<CV> That’s important.
<JEFF> We got no problems. Well not yet.
*laughing* Just kidding. *laughing from all in
room*
<CV> What does Freakshow have planned for
the rest of 2015 and for the start of 2016? Any
big tours and projects planned?
<Markus> Yea we will have a good plan to rock
all of next year. US tour?
<CV> Not only do you have the new album out
you also have a video as well. Tell us about that?
< Markus> We recorded it in San Jose which is
my home town and it was fun. We did
"Everyone" because it was a song a lot knew and
we rocked it! The album you need it and go buy
now!!!
<CV> If people want to get any further information and pick up the new album where can
they go for that?
<Markus> www.welcometothefreakshow.com
<CV> What would you like to say to your fans
and our readers?
<Markus> Thank you for digging our music and
God Bless you and see you soon!
And; Thank- you so much Sherry, you are always a class act.
<CV> Thank-you so much Markus for the kind
words and thank-you to you and Jeff for taking
the time to sit down with me. Also, thank-you
for all the amazing music! I have to say out of all
the interviews I have done I have never had as
much fun and laughed so much! The album is
great and you will always have the continued
support of CV WorldWide Magazine. We all
can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!
MEGADETH UNLEASH NEW STUDIO ALBUM
‘DYSTOPIA’
Available JANUARY 22, 2016
Brand new track “Fatal Illusion” available now Dystopia weaves together Dave Mustaine’s intricate and unique songwriting style, trademark
leads and lightning riffs with harmonious preciThrash metal genre pioneers MEGADETH will sion, paying homage to MEGADETH’s influenkick off the new year with the release of their 15th tial roots while continuing to break new and
studio album Dystopia on Universal Music Enter- heavy ground.
prises /Tradecraft / T-Boy Records on January
22, 2016.
MEGADETH burst onto the scene thirty years
ago, virtually inventing a genre with their debut
With musical architect and band visionary Dave album Killing Is My Business… And Business Is
Mustaine at the helm, Dystopia was recorded in Good! (recently recognized by VH1 as the GreatNashville, TN, and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb est Thrash Metal Debut Album of All Time) sold
of God, Gojira, Avenged Sevenfold).
more than 38 million albums worldwide, earning
numerous accolades including 11 Grammy®
nominations, scoring five consecutive platinum
The rest of the MEGADETH lineup is comprised albums—including 1992’s two-million-selling
of David "Junior" Ellefson on bass, new member Countdown to Extinction.
Kiko Loureiro (formerly of Angra) on guitar, and
drummer Chris Adler, who took time away from
Lamb of God to record Dystopia. The result TRACK LISTING:
marks a true return to form, adding new blood
The Threat Is Real
and injecting a new burst of creative energy into 1.
2.
Dystopia
the new album.
3.
Fatal Illusion
"There's an excitement right now that I haven't 4.
felt for a really long time," exclaims Dave Mus- 5.
taine.
6.
Death From Within
7.
Featuring 11 brand new tracks, Dystopia will be
released on both CD and LP, as well as digitally 8.
through all online partners. “Fatal Illusion” is the 9.
first track released from the album, listen here.
10.
Poisonous Shadows
11.
Bullet To The Brain
Post American World
Conquer or Die!
Lying In State
The Emperor
Foreign Policy
News YOUSE Can Use
Car-to-Car Communication May Hit Roads Soon
Like a vaccine, V2V technology needs collective
action to work—and all the major auto companies are working together to make it happen.
What if your car could “talk” to other vehicles,
predicting imminent danger and warning you before a crash?
It sounds like science fiction. But vehicle-tovehicle communication is the newest brainchild
of the auto industry, and it might be coming to a
road near you within the next few years.
The MIT Technology Review named V2V one of
the biggest tech breakthroughs of 2015, predicting
that it will become widely available as soon as
next year. General Motors was the first major car
company to commit, announcing in September
that it would release a V2V-equipped Cadillac by
2017.
“I hear estimates all the time on people rolling it
out,” said Debra Bezzina, senior project manager
for the University of Michigan Transportation
Research Institute. “It is very close to being production ready.”
The technology has been in the works for more safety systems that are limited by their field of
than a decade, but a recent pilot program has view.
brought it closer to deployment than ever.
After analyzing data from the pilot program,
Conducted jointly by the University of Michigan NHTSA estimated that V2V technology could
and the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- prevent more than half a million accidents and
istration, the pilot put nearly 3,000 V2V-equipped save more than 1,000 lives each year if implecars on the roads of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The mented across the United States.
technology allowed the cars to broadcast their But like a vaccine, the safety benefits of V2V only
GPS position, speed and other data to nearby ve- kick in if other cars are equipped with the same
hicles. Cars then used the information to com- technology. General Motors’ high-tech Cadillac
municate with one another and avoid crashes and may have few other cars to talk to in 2017—
accidents.
defeating the main purpose of the innovation..
“It provides consumers with what I like to call “We've all kind of said there's no benefit to being
360-degree coverage,” said Bezzina, noting that the first adopter because it only works if your car
V2V goes beyond current sensor and radar based
is equipped and you're in conflict with another
car that's equipped,” said Mike Shulman, technical leader for Ford Motor Company. “So
we’ve all said the only way to really move this
along is through a regulation.”
In August, NHTSA announced that it would
like to mandate V2V technology in new cars “to
induce collective action.” Draft regulations for
a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
are expected next year.
“It's really been a unique industry collaboration
and public-private partnership,” Shulman said.
“We think we're really doing something important.”
According to Shulman, all the major auto makers—including General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, Hyundai,
Ford and Kia—have been sharing data on V2V
to help standardize communications between
cars of different brands.
These companies (along with tech manufacturers like Delphi) are working together to develop
the same technology, Shulman said, although
each automaker will decide how its own interface looks and functions.
“It's really been a unique kind of collaboration
where normal competitors have said, 'None of
us can do this on our own, and we want to
work together to bring this to deployment,’”
Shulman said.
But before V2V hits the streets, it’s likely to hit
a few roadblocks.
The Federal Trade Commission filed a comment to NHTSA in January, citing concerns
about GPS tracking and data collection.
“People want privacy in their cars,” said Shulman. “If it's a mandated system—a system they
haven't decided they want to opt into—then
they want to know that even though their car is
sending out a message ten times per second…
you're not identifying the specific vehicle, the
driver, the license plate or anything like that.
And you're not tracking them around.”
News YOUSE Can Use
NHTSA said it is aware of privacy concerns
and is working to establish comprehensive protections before V2V is deployed. But experts are
confident that most of the necessary security
measures are already in place.
“We put a bunch of safeguards in place, both
technical and policy,” Shulman said, emphasizing that the technology was built with consumer
security in mind. Schulman said all V2V signals
are authenticated and anonymous, making
them difficult to track or alter.
As for privacy, Bezzina said the data is kept only on “a moment-by-moment basis, per the vision of the Department of Transportation.”
“We've
been working in a pre-competitive way
to agree on the standards,” Shulman said.
“There will be some manufacturers that will deploy this in the next one or two years. There
will be others that are still doing testing and
evaluation.”
A decade from now, Bezzina said consumers
can expect to see “a pretty good rollout of connected vehicle technology.”
After that, cars might even drive themselves.
“Connected vehicle technology will be an enabler for automated vehicles,” Bezzina said, noting that V2V is already being used in conjunction with self-driving technology. “In 10 years,
we’ll start to see that more and more.”
By Olivia Marcus
Order in the Chaos
Brien D's Helpful Guitar Tip #1- Riff's Conquered Through Persistence
Have you ever been sitting, practicing your guitar diligently, when this killer riff pops into your
head? Sure... duh... it happens all the time.
Well, what if every time you tried to play it, it
comes out bollocks? Or, you feel you are always
being made a fool of by it?
I get them all the time. And you know what? I've
successfully conquered some of them. And the
ones I’ve conquered; I've written songs around,
recorded, and released to the world.
I'm referring to that riff that you just never seem
to get right. And, yet, it seems that every time
you jam privately, it comes out of your fingers
and on to your instrument... but ultimately
eludes you due to it's complexity, it's unique
picking pattern, it’s speed, cadence, or tempo.
Maybe it’s become the riff that you just don't
even try to take on, anymore. It pops its head up
while your running through some scale or other,
but instead of carrying on with it, you fumble
the ball. Or, you just glaze over it and pass it by
to work on the easier stuff that you are already
fluid on, confident with, and make you sound
cooler in front of your friends.
Well, I feel that passing those riffs by every time
they come around is doing two major disservices
to you as a player. One is that you are ignoring a
KILLER opportunity to expand your playing and
mastery over the instrument. The other being the
disservice you are doing in the battle between
your Mind and the Instrument -- the struggle that
taught you in earlier battles that scales CAN be
memorized, and that chords and their relation to
scales is not out of your realm of comprehension.
The three steps I prefer to use in conquering
those elusive riffs, that work best for me, are
PURSUIT, REPETITION, and BREAK
DOWN.
Step 1 - Pursuit: You recognize the riff, and something about it tells you that you might want to
check it out a little more closely. But you can't
nail it. Then you realize the riff that you are chasing may have been eluding you for YEARS!
If you already have a riff like this, you're already
aware of the next step. Repetition. But maybe
you don't go any further due to hang-ups like I
mentioned above. In either case, REPETITION
will help you get past the fumbles and help you
conquer that riff. Try it. If the tempo and speed
are too fast... use a metronome, slow the tempo
down to a comfortable speed you can handle,
and play through a few times until it’s smooth,
then speed up your metronome a few clicks and
catch up to it and get smooth. Speed up the metronome, rinse and repeat.
notes or less (even better would be 6 or less) and
make sure you are playing the proper notes while
also utilizing the proper hand and fingering positions. “Hand Position” being First Position, Second Position, Third Position, Fourth Positions
on the neck. “Finger Position” being which finger to use on which string, fret, at which time.
Hopefully you already know what I am referring
to on hand and finger positioning. If not, look
them up on your search engine of choice. I'm not
giving a free guitar lesson here... just trying to
Step 2 - Repetition: Playing it over and over will give you a good idea of how I conquered my
get you closer to the final goal of playing that riff “Advanced Riffing Fears.”
flawlessly. It might kill you to do it 15 or 20 After you are 100% certain that each fretted note
times in an afternoon. By repeating the phrase is sounding pure, and fit with what your mind is
over and over, you begin to build up muscle hearing, then move on to the next few notes, and
memory, which is directly associated to your so on. Try to figure out each and every note and
brain memory. Muscle memory makes it easier play them solidly and in the most efficient manfor you to play that riff easier the next time by ner possible for you (color, style, and technique
your brain memorizing the pattern, your fingers can come later).
recognizing that the brain remembers, and thus, After a few visits to that riff each day; a week or
they fall automatically into place due to pattern two will find you getting smoother and smoother
association and work together harmoniously in a with that passage. Eventually, you will be playway that allows you to smoothly and accurately ing that riff without even looking at your neck.
play that riff. With time, you will be able to play Try it. See if I am right...
that riff without even thinking about it.
So, you see? You ARE able to conquer these
As a side note: I watched a local musician in the things when they arise by just breaking them
Seattle area burn-out and frustrate himself to the down, or repeat phrasing them, and then OWNpoint of quitting the instrument altogether by ING them. It really is that simple. And don’t
constantly performing live while playing WAY think this only applies to Guitar... It can apply to
outside of his abilities. He was a spectacular gui- every single aspect of your life. Your job, your
tarist, but he was also a huge Dream Theater fan, driving, your gardening, your model-building,
but had only been playing guitar about four years your belittlement of your girlfriend, etc.
when I met him. He wrote some damned cool
tunes, he just couldn’t play his own material, be- In essence, this article is about one thing, and
cause his fingers and brain had not been given that thing is called “DISCIPLINE” ;)
the opportunity to meld and become one through
repetition. He would throw up his hands in de- Brien DeChristopher
feat, ON STAGE. In the middle of his own Guitarist / Songwriter / Entrepreneur
songs, he would stop playing and throw up his
arms in frustration. It absolutely killed me to see Owner Sic•Skinz Custom Drum Wraps
it. He was almost literally trying to run before he
learned to crawl. I could see it clear as day. And,
so could the entire club. He couldn’t, I suppose
and, as far as I know, he no longer plays guitar.
Anyway, let’s move on to Step 3.
Step 3 - Break down: Take each little phrase of 8
Wearable Art
Presented by CV WorldWide Magazine and PureSin Photography
Clutch
The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
October 22, 2015
Reviewed by Kathleen Clarkson
Clutch www.pro-rock.com played to a sold out
crowd at The Knitting Factory on October 22,
2015. Clutch from Maryland, is a rare rock
band that formed in 1991. They maintain a true
following with their deep rock-blues sound.
Their fans are not ones that go to all the rock
shows they go to the perfect show. Clutch is a
rarity in the rock genre with lead singer Neil
Fallon, a man with the most unique deep vocals. He is amazingly intelligent in his lyrics
and he is a storyteller of all times. Tim Sult guitarist for Clutch has a gift of taking every riff to
the next level making Clutch that “something”
everyone respects. Dan Maines on bass and
Jean-Paul Gaster are the ones that give Clutch
the depth that only they have. Clutch did not
hold back during their performance at The
Knitting Factory. They came in like a storm,
spinning the crowd into a whirlwind of disproportions with their deep blues-style rock. The
set list consisted of 17 songs from a variety of
there 11 albums. The opened with X-Ray Visions, from their most recent album Psychic
Warfare also featuring Firebirds, the rest of the
set included Crucial, Cyborg Bette from Earth
Rocker, Burning Beard from Robot Hives/
Exodus, Elephant Riders album with the same
name, Quick Death Death in Texas, Sucker for
the Witch, Our Lady of Electric Light from
Psychic Warfare, Texan Book of the Dead
from self-titled album. Pure Rock Fury is from
the 5th album bearing the same name. Your
Love is Incarceration from Psychic Warfare.
Songs unto the Breach and Wolf Man are both
from Earth Rocker. Clutch ended the set with
The Regulator from Blast Tyrant, DC Sound
Attack from Earth Rocker, and the perfect song
to end the entire set The MOB Goes Wild Blast
Tyrant. Clutch is not a band that you go to see
because you looking for a stage show, they are
a band you go listen to for nothing more than
their music and the story it tells.
Corrosion for Conformity www.coc.com from
Raleigh, North Carolina, was direct support for
Clutch, yielding there classic punk-rock hardcore
sound. Pepper Keenan returning to the band to
make them what they truly are with fellow members Woodroe Weatherman on guitar, Mike
Dean on bass, and Reed Mullin on drums. They
killed it with opening the set with My Grain. A
few of the known songs were Paranoid Opioid,
Wiseblood, and Albatross. They ended the set
with Clean my Wounds. Everyone in the house
was either singing, moshing or pouring back a
beer in honor of COC. While I was unable to get
a hold of the set list I can tell you they rocked the
entire place, being the perfect band to open up
for Clutch.
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