CVSW_April_2013_PDF - CV WorldWide Magazine

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THE Custom Lifestyle Magazine for Car, Motorcycle, and Music Enthusiasts
www.CVNorthWestMagazine.com
Las Vegas Nightlife
Marina Lopez Centerfold
Cover Photo by Mark Weiss
From the Desk of the Pres
This is a MOMENTOUS occasion in the life
of the CV family. Welcome to the INAUGURAL issue of CV SouthWest Magazine.
For those of you who might not know, “CV”
stands for “Consuetudo Vitae”, which is a latin
phrase for “custom lifestyle”. We named our
company and our publication CV because we
dedicate ourselves to highlighting and supporting those who life their “custom life”. Owners of
custom motorcycles, custom cars, and those who
rock the local music scene.
CV SouthWest will support local businesses, showcase custom vehicles, and do our best to
bring you an in-depth view and access to the
LOCAL music scene, which is the lifeblood of the
Vegas night life.
This month we highlight one of the hottest
local bands, Outta the Black. The boys have been
rocking Vamp’d and Vegas for a long time, it’s
appropriate that we give them their due. We also sit down with Australian rock goddess Laura
Wilde, highlight the artwork work of Drumiture,
give you car maintenance tips, and keep track of
Sin City with Kevin L and Las Vegas Nightlife
Photos.
ENJOY!
Cover (by Henn)
Rock Calendar
3
Outta the Black
4
Centerfold: Marina Lopez
18
Drumiture
20
Laura Wilde
22
5 Repairs you can do
28
Las Vegas Nightlife Photos
32
Chris
CV Northwest Magazine
Locally Owned / Nationally Known
Contact Us - [email protected]
CV NORTHWEST MAGAZINE © 2012-13 is published monthly and NO reproduction of content is permitted without Publisher’s
prior approval. Publisher assumes no financial responsibility for the errors in ads beyond the cost of space occupied by error; a correction will be printed. Publisher is not liable for: any slandering of an individual, or group as we mean no malice or individual criticism at any time; nor are we responsible for the opinions or comments of our columnists; and promises, coupons, or lack of fulfillment from advertisers who are solely responsible for the content of their ads. Publisher is also to be held harmless from: failure to
produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond control; all suits, claims or loss of expenses; this includes but is not limited to,
suits for libel, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a persons name or photograph.
Date
Band
Venue
Location
NOTE to BANDS: CV SouthWest Magazine will publish ALL your shows for the next month on this Calendar
FREE of charge; it is our commitment to support the LOCAL music scene with this listing. If you are a band
and you want to take out a special ad for your shows or any other reason, contact us!
One of the premier club bands in Vegas, OUTTA the BLACK takes hard rock / metal to a new
level. OTB brings a fresh and powerful perspective to old classics, but they step outta the box
by performing deeper tracks from your favorite albums. OTB is made up of some of the best
talent west of the Mississippi River; they cover the entire spectrum of classic hard rock & metal. In our Inaugural issue of CV SouthWest, the Pres catches up with the gang from OTB to
find out what makes five diverse people come together into a well oiled machine...
<CV SW> You know the first question…Tell us who’s in the band, and their
role.
Drew Calvert – Lead vocals - our morality leader
Greg Silver – guitars/vocals - “Mr. Social”
Keith Trombino – bass/vocals - the King of Craigslist
Scott Westbrook – drums - Prince of the One Liners
Jerry Vayne – guitar/vocals - just shakes his head and asks “WHY me??”
<CV SW> Who started the band, when? Where did the name come from?
<Keith> I started the band in 2008; I was in 2 bands at that time, and left them
both at roughly the same point, then spent the next year searching around town for
musicians and putting together OTB. I went through 2 drummers and a guitarist, trying to find the right mix, before even playing our first show. The name came from the
fact that, since I was no longer in those bands, my income disappeared, so I was “in
the red” as they say. I decided on naming the band “Outta the Black” to inspire me
to get a solid band together and make money by playing great music but catering to
true rock and metal fans.
<CV SW> The lineup has changed some over the years to its current group,
and actually, 2 new guitarists and a new leader singer since mid-2012, right –
tell us about that process, how has the band’s desires for a certain type of
musician evolved and how have you filled that need with the current group?
<Jerry> I had known Keith for a couple years via MySpace and he had wanted
me to come over to try out back then but my schedule was so jacked up with my other music project that it never happened. Greg saw a response to a FB post that I had
made, but at that time I had zero interest in joining a band; I was done with the BS
and drama to be honest. What caught my attention was the set list that Greg sent
me; my 30 minute audition lasted 2 hours, and that, as they say, is that.
<Drew> I am friends with both previous vocalists, they are great guys and solid singers. There were logistical issues with Michael living in LA, and Robert work-
with two other projects – we’ve spoken a few times,
and we know it took some time to build this team,
and we are now ready to take it to the big dance with
this line up.
<Keith> The lineup kept changing due to "who
couldn't get along with whom" or "who could only
make certain rehearsals since they lived out of town"
etc. Sometimes tough choices have to be made with
saying “we don’t think you fit”, it’s just in the best interests of the band. We wanted to find members who
had different musical backgrounds but still had the
common goal of what they would like to play for
themselves while still catering to the fans.
<Greg> I joined in April of 2012, Jerry in October. The band just wanted to make a big ruckus. So
we did. Seriously, that's my answer. We love to make
noise; a big, loud, ringing noise. It leaves a great impression, your ears ring for a f**king week after
we're done. :)
<Scott> It’s been more of a natural progression, if there is such a thing. We didn’t really go out
and say “we need THIS kind of guitarist” or anything specific. It really has more to do
with the overall vibe and how well everyone gets along. Musically, it will work itself
out if the general “feel” is there. We’re all just a blend of varied influences.
<CV SW> Tell us how you feel the current lineup complements each other,
what strengths do each of you bring? How do you guys blend together on
stage better than you have in the past – how is
it different?
<Greg> We all get along really well. That's
first and foremost, and also what has either held
back, or torn apart most bands - many local and national bands. We ALL have a say in what we do,
where we go, etc. We are friends as well, and want
each other's input.
<Drew> There’s a lot of give and take, but we
all have an equal say and respect each other’s opinions.
<Keith> We are always looking to improve
each other’s playing as well as our own and this
lineup is less stressful in that sense, plus when we
write our original material we actually listen to each
other’s ideas; it's a great creative vibe.
<Jerry> That’s the key, what really makes us
work is we all LIKE each other and we all listen and
respect one another’s opinion. We may not always
agree at first but we take the time to listen. Plus, all
of us sing as well which I like a lot. No need for any
of those stupid backing tracks.
<Drew> Yeah, as a vocalist, to have 3 other really good singers in the band is an amazing thing!
<Keith> With the current lineup our voices gel
more in harmonies, which sounds great.
<Jerry> This is by far the strongest
group of musicians I have worked with. We
all have similar likes which helps as well in picking
tracks to cover. From my vantage point, the band has
become more visual onstage and all of us interact
well with each other.
<Keith> There are no egos, so if someone is
playing something wrong someone would point it out
and boom problem solved! Live, we all know what
the other is gonna do so there is never a clusterf**k
on stage and we try to complement each other’s energy as much as possible.
<Scott> We have fun interacting with each
other on stage. When there’s tension, it’s going to
come across no matter how well you try to hide it.
<Jerry> Scott brings a groove and a feel to the drums that I really like. He
doesn’t just play a beat. He is always coming up with ways to make a boring part
come alive. I tease Keith about using a 6 string bass but I have no idea why he isn’t in
Bass Player magazine by now. He has a great sense of melody and placement of
notes. Greg is the type of guitarist I like to play with. I suck at leads, I’ll be honest,
and so I let him handle the bulk which he does quite well.
<Greg> Our current line up genuinely likes to interact with each other on stage
to make it a great show, not that we didn’t before, but when a band is in sync like we
feel we are, it helps us to perform better on stage.
<Scott> Not to get too far off into left field, an audience feeds off of the energy
that a band or a performer puts out there. When that energy is good, the audience
amplifies that and chucks it right back at ya which just makes you put that much
more into your performance.
<CV SW> Drew Calvert, formerly of Kaos X &
Aces High, is now your front man, tell us what
you think Drew will bring to the band.
<Greg> Lots of Jack Daniels, I hope!
<Scott> Beer. Drew brings beer.
<NOTE: drummer & guitarist see eye-to-eye?>
<Keith> Drew is a great front man and performer which we were lacking in the past; he is very
energetic onstage as well as treating the audience
like they're there to hang with the band rather than
us playing for them
<Scott> Drew’s great! A great, versatile set of
pipes, he’s a great performer and adds to that “vibe”
and has a total lack of LSD (lead
singer disease).
<Jerry> Yeah, he’s very professional, and unlike some other
singers I know and/or have worked
with, has no ego. He listens to everything that is said – good or bad. We
are sticklers when it comes to making sure everything is PERFECT musically and vocally and he works well
with us to make sure it’s right.
<Scott> Rob is a great guy, a
good friend and a killer singer. I
won’t take anything away from him.
He wanted to do his own thing and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll be VERY
clear, there is NO bad blood between us. We are still brothers.
<Greg> Drew has always been a friend, and always a great voice and performer. We just wanted someone that fits us in all aspects, it he does. We're writing together, as well as covering all our favorite stuff, so, he brings brotherhood as well as
a great well-rounded voice and he knows how to grab and take hold of a crowd
<Drew> So far we have been getting amazing feedback about the change. It
was a very natural fit. I’ve been talking to Greg and Scott about singing with them
even before Rob came on last year. I was so enamored with my other two projects at
that time I couldn’t dedicate the time to OTB. We agreed we would keep in touch on it
and here we are 7 months later with the new line up.
<CV SW> It’s been quite a road to grab a couple of heavyweights like Jerry &
Greg, how do you think those guys mesh with
their playing?
<Jerry> Heavyweights? I dunno about that…
<Scott> Yeah, That’s not very cool to say! Jerry’s worked really hard to get down to 87 lbs!
<Drew> I’ve noticed that the two not only play
well together but have a genuine respect for each
other’s playing which is rare to see these days.
There’s not the common ego s**t that goes on with a
lot of guitar players I’ve met over the years. Wait,
what’s up with that anyways? LOL We need DRAMA!
<Keith> Greg and Jerry's playing complement
each other very well; even though they are two
different styles they have a common ground to make
them sound like one
<Jerry> I think we work well together. Our
playing styles are similar enough but different
enough to show some individuality.
<Greg> Well, let's say it this way: I've been in
one-guitar bands for most of my playing career,
mainly cause of the old adage "doesn't play well with
others”, but, when it came to auditions, Jerry just fit right away as "one of the guys" he's a great player, great singer, and good person all around. We fit well together,
right off the bat, and it was like we'd been playing off each other for a long time.
<Scott> They definitely have different approaches which are great! They’re
both unique players with their own varied influences that add to the flavor their playing brings to the overall mix. How boring would overdubs be?
<CV SW> Who are your musical influences (or influences in general)?
<Keith> Influences for me band wise would be Dream Theater, Queensryche,
Rush, Yes, Metallica [pre- black album], Iron Maiden, Dixie Dregs. As far as solo musicians, Eddie Jackson, Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten , Dave LaRue
<Drew> Jeff Keith of Tesla always seems to come to mind but there are many.
Too many to list other than I have to say Sammy Hagar does one of the best jobs both
on and off the stage.
<Greg> I'm musically schizophrenic
(ONLY musically?), so here goes: Everything
from Air Supply to ZZ Top; Country, Metal,
R&B, Industrial, etc. My actual individual influences are - Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Oz
Fox, Clint Lowery, Jerry Cantrell, Gary Moore;
all guitar guys.
<Scott> For me, anything that Tommy Aldridge played on! Tesla, Lynch Mob, Dream
Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, REALLY
digging’ the Sixx AM stuff, Adler, Red, Stryper,
Robert Johnson. It’s so eclectic, it’s ridiculous!
<Jerry> KISS, Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest. Ace Frehley is the reason I started
playing.
<Greg> The band's influences come from
everywhere- we're a 80's/90's/current metal
type of tribute or show band, so we hail those
artists as our influences...but the ones that really stick out are like Skid Row, Dokken, Crue,
Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, etc. We like it heavy
with melody and groove. :)
<CV SW> Everyone in the band has played
with bands, what do each of you feel you
took from those experiences to make you who you are today?
<Jerry> With me, I definitely took the showman aspect I gained from the past
bands I was in.
<Keith> Truth be told, I’ve learned a lot about what NOT to do from past
bands, sometimes we do learn from failure; I’ve also learned how to harmonize vocally better.
<Jerry> I was in a glam band from 94-’01 as well as a Poison tribute and several AC/DC tributes so having to “put on a show” just became part of my playing style
now and it’s kind of rubbed off on Greg and Keith a little, in my opinion. I have no-
ticed they are becoming more active on stage than I had seen before.
<Scott> Definitely the show side of things. There are loads of extremely talented musicians staring at their shoes standing still boring the s**t out audiences. People don’t go out to see a CD. Your audience is taking time out of their lives to come
see you do what you love doing. They DESERVE your best.
<Drew> I think it’s amazing that we all have been doing the music thing in one
shape or form for about the same amount of time in our lives. We have all been
through the band drama BS with other projects. Now that we’re a little wiser and
more mature we genuinely know what we have is special and not easy to find.
<CV SW> Talk about OTB’s first show – after years in other bands and playing in Vegas, how did it feel getting ready to play as one?
<Keith> Our first show was like a kid going to school for the first
time, we were of course nervous but when we saw all our friends in the crowd digging what we did it felt like home and this was the right place to be.
<Greg> We were frantic with energy - just like our shows. We put a lot of planning and serious drive/focus into our shows. It's only a 90 - 120min show each time,
but we spend a lot of hard core focus and time planning each one.
<Drew> We are currently preparing for our first official show with this line up
so we’re not taking it lightly. We have been rehearsing steadily for a month now and
it sounds better and better each rehearsal.
<Greg> Each show we try to out-do our last. This time around, it’s all about
creating something new and unique that would show where we are now and where
we are going as well.
<CV SW> Tell us about one of your most
memorable shows.
<Greg> Hmm....they're ALL memorable…just ask our fans.
<Scott> Agreed, I think that they’re ALL
memorable; it’s really not a bullshit answer.
We’re constantly evolving and growing and every show seems to reveal something new about
who we are as a band and what our collective
personality really is.
<Jerry> Every show has a great memory
for me whether it be the crowd, how we played
etc. But being able to jam with Rowan Robertson (Dio) and Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint), who
are both in DC4, was a blast for me as well as
jamming with Oz Fox of Stryper several times;
who, incidentally, has become a good friend/
mentor of the band as well.
<Drew> It’s sappy, I know, but I tend to
remember the benefit gigs the most. I did one
in 2011 for 911 victims and one last year for
Hurricane Sandy victims.
<Keith> For me, one of our memorable
shows as OTB was when we played in Good
Springs, NV. We did a benefit for pets without
homes and the bar was tiny and we were supposed to play this big stage outside but due to
the band who played the week prior the bar
got noise complaints from the residents so
they moved us inside on the floor. Well, this
bar is like 20' x 80' which was the size of the
entire joint, we had enough gear to play a festival and had to pack up more than half back
on the truck just so we can fit. Oh yeah, and
by the way, we have to mention the 400 plus
people that were there for the cause but we
jammed them into the place, got to jam with
celebs, and even had porn stars there getting
up with us and rocking out it was a fun gig.
<Greg> We have funny, monumental
stuff going on every time. But - Nov 3rd, we
had early warning that a special guest might
show up. And he did - Oz Fox, Stryper's guitarist, came out, and not only watched, but also
got up and rocked with us! It was awesome to
play Stryper's "Soldiers Under Command" to
one of our longtime heroes, and to have him as
a friend and fan of the band, now as well.
<CVSW> What goes through your minds as you’re on stage rocking out?
<Keith> What goes through my mind when the crowd is digging the music is
this…"this is awesome, I hope we don't screw up the next tune"
<Scott> I’m thinking, what can we do to get the energy level EVEN HIGHER?
What will take this completely over the edge? It’s a GREAT feeling. There’s nothing
else like it!
<Drew> I really don’t think about it. I’ve had people tell me I look like I am in
another world…I suppose I am!
<Jerry> “Goddamit Keith…smack me with that bass head again
and I’ll kick yer ass!” HAHAHA! Never played with a left handed musician before so we tend to “smack heads” and I always get the brunt of it with my guitar being knocked out of tune.
<Greg> It's hard to explain, but 90 minutes goes by in like 10 seconds. We're
so focused on playing as loud and hard as we can, that when we actually CAN see the
audience, it’s a blast to see fists pumping, hands in the air, smiles, and especially
when they sing WITH us. That's a huge thrill.
<CV SW> What’s the craziest thing one of your fans has done during a show?
<Jerry> They are all crazy! I really can’t think of any at the moment.
<Drew> I had a transsexual strip down to naked in front of the stage once
<Greg> Um...there's a lot of craziness, but at a show back in December, a fan
stood in front of me while I'm on the light box all lit up from underneath and stared at
my crotch the entire time, only to tell me later how it was great that my balls were
"gloriously lit up" – bahahahaha <CV SW> …...
<Scott> I can’t say it was one of the craziest but, it was definitely one of the
coolest. We had some temp tattoos of the OTB logo done for a show several months
ago and I saw one our close friends Paul, from Systemec (editor’s note: look for an interview with Systemec in CV SouthWest in a future issue!), proudly sporting one on
the side of his head! That was so cool! We’re all fans of each other’s bands. The Vegas scene is REALLY cool like that; we might “compete” with each other, but everyone has their place and they work hard to support each other and the local scene.
<CV SW> What about your show do you think appeals to people?
<Jerry> We don’t play what other bands do.
<Greg>
Yeah, we
don't play the same sets
that most other bands do,
we like to play songs that
make you go "OMG I remember that song" or "OMG
I can't believe they just did
that one!" We love to have
fun, get crazy, and play really f**king LOUD...
<Drew>
Our song
choice. We are a bit selfindulgent but it turns out
the stuff we like everyone
else likes too.
<Keith>
What appeals to people at our gigs
is from what I have been told is this , we actually put on a show and not stand around
going through the motions for a paycheck , it shows that we love what we play and
that reflects on the audience’s response to the band.
<Scott> It’s also HOW we play. According to what we hear, there’s a level
of raw aggression and showmanship that we’re bringing to the table
that’s helping to raise the bar. Which is great! It really does help create this
really cool healthy competition that can only benefit the Vegas music scene as a
whole. If we’re constantly working together to outshine each other then how can we
NOT become a scene of monster artists and performers ready to take on anyone from
anywhere!
<Keith> Also, we always add new material to every show so it's not the same
dried up tunes, the audience knows they are gonna get something a little different
each time, plus the crowd knows the band is ego free so it’s about kicking ass for
them, not just looking good.
<Jerry> We will play some of the same bands perhaps but we tend to pull out
songs you wouldn’t expect to hear like “mObscene”, “Mother F*cker of the Year”…
who plays them?
<CV SW> Where do you think you fall in the
evolution of OTB, the stage of growth as a
band?
<Greg> OTB is always about growth. That's
what we set out to focus on last year - to take what
we do and grow further. I think right now, we're
stronger than ever and hopefully we'll grow even
more as the next year comes at us.
<Drew> Original music, we are poised to
break through on that front.
<Scott> Right now is the crest of the wave.
Everything else has helped to build the wave, but
this is the leading edge of it.
<Keith> Our stage of growth in our minds is
that we are still teenagers rockin out to our influences and having a blast doing it; we have still yet to
grow up but I know we will only get better every
time, especially since we are now writing originals to
add to our catalog .
<CV SW> What do you hope to accomplish as a band, and with your music,
how do you want people to react to your music?
<Jerry> Come out & have a great time. Walk away thinking “Ok, gotta see
them again” and tell everyone to come see us.
<Keith> Our goal is to play bigger venues and bigger audiences so we can
show the world “hey there's other rock and metal out there besides Journey and
Sweet Home Alabama.
<Drew> Keith’s right, I would like to play more and see ourselves on a larger
platform playing different venues locally. I believe if given the chance to open for
some national acts and play in some the casinos around town we would pleasantly
surprise a lot of people with our song choices
<Keith> Playing bigger venues will also help us make money to finance our
original album; let’s face it, there’s also a business side of this.
<Greg> My personal goal is to leave people writhing on the floor
at the end of the set, in a pile of sweat, going "WTF just happened????
<CVSW> Wait, we talking about making music or making nasty?
<Greg> OTB music IS like making nasty bro…
<CV SW> Rumor is you’ve been writing and recording original music, what
can you tell us about that?
<Scott> DAMNIT, the cat is outta the bag!!! Alright. We’re doing A LOT of
writing and it’s going unbelievably well. Everyone is bringing all these GREAT ideas
to the table and we’re getting a really clear picture of just how varied our individual
influences really are.
<Drew> Two words Bad Ass!
<Keith> It's a blast, 5 different styles working together as a unit.
<Scott> That just means we have that many more ingredients to add to the
pot. It’s really cool to see how they all come together and blend. We have a lot to say.
<Keith> We have been writing originals because with this lineup we want to
expand our horizons and show what our influences can really produce.
<Jerry> There’s been no shortage of ideas. ALL of us write which is awesome
because you never know what’s gonna come out of it. It’s exciting.
<Greg> We have all written/played/recorded original stuff in the past, and we
wanted to do it as a team, this time around. We're constantly getting together and
throwing new stuff down - hopefully we'll have enough to record a full-length CD very
soon.
<Jerry> I write metal-themed instrumental music for the Haunted Attraction
Industry and Scott also does scoring as well so that brings a whole other element into
our writing that adds to the songs. Greg and I don’t play the same parts so we have a
lot of cool counter parts that work well together.
<Scott> Not everyone’s gonna like what we have to say but, we’re gonna say it
because that’s who we are. There is a lot of aggression with a load of melody and harmony. We’re not really shying away from anything which is GREAT!!
<Greg> Right now, as we'd hoped, it's sounding very OTB-ish, which reflects a
lot of our experiences and influences, also conveying messages we really want to get
across
<CV SW> Being mostly a cover band at present, do you feel as though you
have more to prove in terms of marketability?
<Keith> Of course, most of the original bands in this town don't count cover
bands as "part of the scene" yet we are drawing numbers that triple the other local
bands, once we debut our originals it will be a whole different ball game since we
now have our loyal following.
<Greg> To me, not at all. Most musicians in the local scene that know us also
know our past and our experience, the fact that we've all been thru the original stuff
before. Right now it’s not about proving anything; it’s about making as much noise as
we can, and having FUN with it for once. Which, we are!
<Drew> I’d say yes. But I believe when people start hearing the originals we
are writing they are going
to think of us as a real
band and not just a cover
band.
<Scott> My answer
would be “not too much.”
There have been a few instances where we didn’t
end up on a show because
of this or that, but I believe
the covers that we’ve chosen to do over the years
have completely separated
us from what is typically
considered a “cover band.”
<Jerry> Like all the
other bands, we want to be the best at what we do and we know there’s a lot of competition but thankfully, the majority of the bands get along and it’s a friendly competition most of the time, IMO.
<CV SW> How do you guys choose a set to play, what goes into the song list?
<Drew> It has to be a great song. Great songs come in all forms. We look for
songs with an edgier sound to them and usually make them a little heavier when we
play them.
<Jerry> Greg is good at doing set lists so we get a rough idea of the flow and
then start weeding out what we think works and what we want to add.
<Greg> We have a rotation of about 65 tunes that we pull from. We like to
hammer a lot of the big, energy songs, but also each show we try to add a lot more as
well. Usually about 5 new songs each show...to us, it’s all about relevant tunes. Anything that we're known for, that the crowds love, and constantly trying to outdo ourselves. :)
<Keith> How we choose a set list also depends on what venue; for more high
end casino type shows we try to cater to the average Joe who just listens to the radio
but we still throw in a zinger or two to get them thinking. With bars and clubs it's
balls out playing what the fans really want to hear, most of our set list is compiled
with fast energetic tunes to keep the energy flowing.
<Scott> Think about how you would design a thrill ride…
<CV SW> What do YOU guys think is the hardest part of being successful in
the Vegas music scene?
<Keith> We don't know, we're still not successful yet! lol. But we always try to
make each show different from the last and try to surprise the audience each time.
<Drew> Being appealing to all types of venues here. It’s easy to get labeled.
We are making a serious effort in beefing up our
song catalog to play songs that accommodate not only private clubs but casino venues as well.
<Jerry> For me, it’s getting the casinos to
loosen up a little. I get they want standards but so
many people DON’T want to hear that now. How
many bands need to know “Sweet Child of Mine”?
It’s a crap shoot.
<Scott> Pretty much the same problem bands
in other areas face. There are douchebags in the entertainment industry including agents, promoters,
some publishers, etc, who are out to take advantage
of artists and venues and it’s up to the VENUES and
ARTISTS to get past these screwballs and save our
music scenes all over the country.
<Greg> Hardest part is probably that we're always wanting to do more, but not always able to...
<CV SW> What do you mean, Greg?
<Greg> The economy’s changed, the industry
has changed, there are more limitations in the mar-
ket these days. Smaller venues don’t pay as much;
they are great to play but it’s hard to make a living.
Bigger venues DO pay well, but often they want you
to play at 95dB in a small lounge and then don’t
want you to be who you are, they want you to fit into
that cookie-cutter club band mold. Have I told you I
like to play LOUD?
<CV SW> Your “home” club is the Count’s
Vamp’d, how did that come about, and tell us
how you feel that association works for the
band.
<Keith> How we got into Vamp’d; well that's
a story. I got us booked there when we first started
playing, and after countless phone calls and bothering them, they finally gave us an opening slot opening for someone [at this point I forget who]. Well,
our singer’s girlfriend had a fight with her ex at the
club and my singer stepped in to protect her; now
my old singer also started arguing with the bouncers
since they were friends with the ex-boyfriend and
BAM, we weren't allowed to play there. I was getting our pay from Danny Koker at
the time it happened and I said "well I guess we are not allowed back, thank you so
much for the chance to play your club". The club was also going through the
"different booking agents every month" phase and we were known as “the band that
had a fight there.” So I called constantly to get booked again but kept getting blown
off from the booking guy there who only booked his friends’ bands. So, we found another venue to play right down the road which was
the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Cantina; we played
there and found our new home. We booked a second
gig there but a day or two prior to the gig the bar
shut down. So we had a s**t load of people ready to
rock but we had no venue. Luckily our friend
Michelle Nafts knew the current person who booked
Vamp'd (who was Korie Koker) and told her the situation; well Korie said "they can play if the band that
is currently playing that night doesn't mind OTB
jumping on the bill". The other band was very cool
about letting us play after them and we have played
there once a month since.
<Greg> Vamp'd has been the home for hard
rock here in town since it opened in 2009. It's just a
killer club with a home/friendly vibe to it. The staff
and management and owners are all great people,
that constantly make the crowds and bands feel like
family. For us, it means a consistency you can't find
in many other venues.
<Drew> Best club in Vegas hands down. They
are family to us and we pack the house every time we play there. It works out well for
both of us.
<Scott> We love playing Vamp’d! It’s our second home! Danny, Korie, Danny
G., and my bro Froberg are AMAZING to us! Those folks are like family!
<CV SW> What are the big plans for 2013 for OTB?
<Drew> A debut EP and a small western tour to support it.
<Keith> We want our fans to really be into the music we’re choosing and want
to make it a big party every gig; we want the OTB family to grow like it has been.
<Greg> We're currently writing our first EP/album, working with Oz Fox coproducing it with us.... We plan to have it done, and out, by mid-year. But we also
plan to invite as many musician friends that we know, to play with us at each show.
That's a blast, and we never tire of it.
<Jerry> More gigs, more places for people to come see us.
<Scott> Bigger, better, badder, meaner, louder, nastier! More venues!
<CV SW> If you guys had one song to play before you die, what would the
band play?
<Keith> “Metropolis” by Dream Theater
<Jerry> “Get The Fuck Out” by Skid Row… wait, we already do! LOL
<Drew> Today I have to say our original “Hard Road” but that might change as
we continue to write.
<Greg> That would have to be 5 songs to play. There are 5 of us, and although
we're a unit, we're also 5 differently influenced guys! MY choice would be a re-write,
drop-tuned version of something really cool, like an obscure Ozzy tune.
<CV SW> If you guys could open for anyone, is there a consensus as to who it
might be?
<Drew> Steel Panther
<Jerry> I don’t care. As long as we’re having fun, the crowd is having fun,
drinks are flowing and everyone is smiling & rockin’ out... I’m good.
<Keith> If we had the chance to open for someone I would have to say Iron
Maiden or Queensryche
<Greg> Not a consensus, but the closest bet, probably Queensryche, Skid Row,
maybe the new Black Sabbath reunion tour?? :)
One of CV NorthWest’s Newest Partners!
Thriving for more than a decade, mostly through the word of mouth of its devoted techie
customer base, Monoprice has quietly built a stellar reputation as an “in-the-know” ecommerce site that delivers high-quality tech accessories at bargain prices.
Now, the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based company is poised to capitalize on its recent
rapid growth, as evidenced by its appearance in Inc. Magazine’s 2012 top 500 list of America’s
fastest growing companies. Traffic has grown 81 percent, and revenue has surged 141 percent
in the past three years at the e-commerce company, a sign of prosperity in a tough economy and
a testament to a solid business model focused on keeping prices affordable for their current
(and future) customers.
Monoprice, strictly an e-commerce company, specializes in a wide variety (their product
catalog features over 4,000 products - for the list, see http://www.monoprice.com/products/
index.html) of electronic cables, home theater equipment, networking and IT gear, mobile accessories, and other computer components and tech equipment. Customers can easily navigate
their website and choose from among more than 4,300 Monoprice branded and non-branded
products offered at very affordable prices on its website.
Based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Monoprice, Inc. is an e-commerce leader specializing
in high-quality cables, components and accessories for computers, consumer electronics and pro
audio equipment. Established in 2002, the company has built its reputation upon customer word
of mouth, the consistent ability to deliver premium quality products at prices far below other national brands in retail, and unmatched customer service. Many of Monoprice products are produced in ISO9001 and ISO14001 facilities and maintain the highest standards for production and
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their environmental impact. They are a CCR Trading Partner, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business and were named an Inc. 500 company in 2008, 2009 & 2010, and an Inc. 5000 company in 2011.
Once again, IFBB professional bodybuilder, model, and personal trainer
Marina Lopez allows CV WorldWide to grace our issue with her presence!
Aside from appearing for the second time in our publication, Marina has
been featured in numerous fitness magazines, has modeled for clothing lines,
and done photo shoots for both custom motorcycles and exotic cars.
Marina owns a fitness studio in Denver, CO at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Marina has been a fitness and bodybuilding competitor since 2004,
earning her IFBB pro card at the 2010 IFBB Nationals.
Marina keeps herself in phenomenal shape all year round and is available
for photo or video shoots.
Contact her via www.MarinaLopez.com
Turning old
instruments
into art!
Instrument Art is
something Terry at Guinner Graphix has been doing
for years for many people
that have a love for instruments.
Terry
has
found, since being back in
California, that local music
stores have a endless
source of instruments to
bring back to life. He will
personalize your drums,
guitars, and any instrument you have. He is cur-
rently working on a Mandolin Jewelry Box, a custom
base for a member of the
all-female band Zepparella,
a
commemorative
CV
WorldWide guitar, and
somebody even asked him
to do something with their
piano! He can make a piece
of furniture out of an unusable or unwanted instruments, he does it all.
To contact Terry, visit:
www.Drumiture.com
Terry has now expanded his repertoire to
include different instruments, everything from
mandolins to guitars of
all kinds, making custom
pic guards and head
stock art. He is constantly on the go, working
with different vendors
and personalities to generate great art pieces,
many for charities
Terry’s hope has always been to
work with many wonderful people in
many creative and unique ways, and
in accomplishing that he is living his
dream. He loves to save vintage or
valuable drums in any way, using
them to make individual, personal,
one-of-a-kind pieces, his skill and
perfection borne of his love of drums
and art. Saving drums, meeting great
people, helping those in need, and
creating some very unique drum furniture is, to Terry, his life’s calling,
and one can see the passion and skill
in his work.
In Terry’s words; “to be able to
save these drums and unwanted instruments or cherished mementos
and see the appreciative faces of
the people for whom I have made
them is what truly makes me happy.
I’m excited to say that Drumiture
has many new clients contacting me
daily, and the donations of numerous unwanted instruments, which I
see as ‘unfinished art’, is helping
me make my dream come true.”
Taming
the
Wilde
Laura Wilde has become a musical tour de force, armed with killer guitar
riffs and a kick-ass attitude, and she is taking the world by storm. On stage
she boils with raw, passionate energy; playing her blazing, mirror-fronted flying V guitar, she is a hard charging, take-no-prisoners, balls to the wall artist.
From the clubs of Melbourne, Australia to a national tour with the Motor
City Madman himself, Laura is poised for world wide fame, ready to create a
fresh interpretation of traditional rock n roll for a younger generation of fans.
CV WorldWide had a chance to chat with Laura during some downtime...
CV WW: Let’s talk about the road to becoming…Laura Wilde…growing up, did
you always want to play music? Did anything else catch your fancy beforehand?
<Laura Wilde> Always! I've been obsessed with musical instruments for as long
as I can remember. When I was little the
sight of anything to do with guitars or drums
would make my heart flutter and absolutely
nothing has changed.
vana, but as I got older I started to dig deeper
and listen to the bands that influenced them.
There's a whole bunch from every decade dating back from Guns 'n' Roses in the 80's to
Elvis in the 50's and Robert Johnson in the
30's. It's a mixture of influences from a
whole range of rock bands, such as Black
Sabbath, ACDC, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top,
glam bands like Sweet, Slade and T.Rex, punk
bands like The Clash, The Ramones, The Sex
Pistols and The Stooges. The list goes on and
CV WW: Tell us about that moment when on! My main lead guitar influences would
you said “yeah, I wanna rock, I wanna get have to be Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and
up there and kick ass with a guitar”.
Slash.
<LW> The big moment occurred at the
tender age of 3 when I saw the 'Are You Gon- CV WW: What went into the decision to go
na Go My Way' video by Lenny Kravitz. solo versus playing in a band?
Watching him, his band and the audience all
<LW> Flying solo just happened organrocking out and going nuts made me want to ically because I had so many different
get up there and do the exact same thing.
friends that I was jamming with growing up
and I never really fell into a definitive band.
CV WW: Who are your musical influences When I first started recording songs it was
(or influences in general)?
just the producer and I working on tunes that
<LW> I grew up listening to 90's rock I had written and our own collaborations.
bands like Green Day, Foo Fighters and Nir-
CV WW: Tell us about the music scene in Melbourne versus America – how are they different and how are they the same?
<LW> The Australian pub culture brings
along a certain element of rough and tumble camaraderie which is very conducive to writing
rock music. Australia has given birth to rock 'n'
roll greats such as AC/DC, Jet, Wolfmother and
INXS. America has a different history and different influences entirely. There is a more vast
population and therefore a greater mix of different genres.
CV WW: When you were a teenager, you
played for the Saudi Royal Family? Tell us
about that experience – what did you play,
how did you get the honor, how did the Royal
Family react and what did they say to you?
<LW> Playing for the Saudi Royal Family
was such an amazing and unexpected experience. We were all staying at the same hotel before I made the move to Los Angeles. They
found out I was a musician, listened to the demo
and before I knew it they had requested a private acoustic show. They were thrilled with the
performance which was just such an unbelievable honor.
CV WW: You first got on stage when you were
16, were you nervous at all?
<LW> I was way too excited to be nervous.
Everyone in the audience was going crazy and
cheering when I was walking up to go on stage
which was such a great feeling. From then on I
was officially hooked!
CV WW: Forward a bit, and you’re a studio &
session player for some of the biggest Australian artists, what were you able to take
away from that time period.
<LW> Being selected to play for top tier
artists is such an honor, but the pressure is on!
It makes you really step up and work a lot harder to deliver a high standard. These opportunities are always such a great experience as you
are able stretch yourself by playing a different
styles and experimenting with different sounds.
CV WW: You spent some time at University –
it ultimately didn’t work out, as you said, but
what did you learn about Laura Wilde from
that experience?
<LW> I found it extremely hard to concen-
trate on something that I wasn't interested in. I
was very easily distracted. However, when I was
finally had the opportunity to pursue my passion, it didn't feel like work at all and I was able
to focus to the exclusion of everything else and
didn't feel like I was missing out.
CV WW: You moved to LA to “take it to the
next level” – tell us about that decision…how
you came to it, how was it to leave Australia
behind.
Did you feel as though you’d
“outgrown” the local music scene there?
<LW> It was so freaky leaving for the airport and pondering the fact that I had a one way
ticket and would be over there indefinitely. I had
been back and forth a few times before I officially moved over, however nothing can ever really
prepare you to leave behind your family and
friends.
There is a larger market for everything in
the USA. Playing rock music wasn't something
that I was encouraged to do in Australia. I constantly met resistance and was steered to play
other genres instead. It made sense at the time
to make the move.
CV WW: You made Revolver Magazine’s 25
Hottest Chicks in Rock – but being both beautiful and talented, did you feel as though had a
little extra to prove to make it as a woman in
rock?
<LW> Well, thank you! I think women in
the rock scene generally do have to work a lot
harder in order to prove themselves. However,
if you have really taken the time to practice,
hone your craft and put in the extra effort that
will ultimately shine through and garner the respect you deserve as a serious artist.
CV WW: Talk about
your views on the state
of women in rock,
where do you think
that evolution is in
terms of progress? Is
it still an uphill climb,
or do you think we’ve
finally figured out
that gender is not an
issue?
<LW> It's certainly not a walk in the
park, but it would be a
lot easier nowadays
than it was for someone
like Suzi Quattro. I have
so much respect for artists like her who broke
down the barriers and
blazed the trail for the
rest of us.
CV WW: Talk about
“Sold My Soul”, is
there a message in
there we need to
know?
<LW> "Sold My
Soul" is mostly an expression of the thoughts and
feelings I experienced in my late teens. This album is almost an emotional journal touching on
my dreams, wishes, lost loves and the adventure
of growing up. This record is an introduction to
the body of work that I am really excited to share
with my fans over time, a taste of things to come.
work. I really enjoyed every step of the process
from writing the songs to recording demos and
working with producers. Most of the record was
done in Australia and some was done in the USA
so it was great to see the different studios and
different ways of working in both places.
CV WW: The record gets recorded, releases,
and you’re standing there holding YOUR CD…
what are you thinking?
<LW> I keep thinking back to the 3 year
old Laura, wildly inspired by the Lenny Kravitz
video and how she would react if she knew that
she would make her
own CD. It's just so rewarding being able to
listen from start to finish and remember the
journey of how it all
came about.
CV WW: What inspires
you when your write
music, from where
does the muse descend?
<LW> The muse
generally descends from
when I have a strong
emotional reaction towards
something.
Sometimes a song can
come into my head
when I'm half asleep, so
I'll have to wake myself
up and hum it into my
phone before I forget
the idea. I usually come
up with a lot of guitar
riffs when I'm just messing around and doing
some practice at home.
CV WW: You were handpicked by Ted Nugent
himself for his Great White Buffalo tour in
2012, how did that come about, did the Motor
City Madman call you or go through channels? Did you think it was a prank from the
band?
<LW> At the time I was working with a
CV WW: Tell us about the process of making publicist who coincidentally was Ted's first pubthe album – I know a lot of us believe it’s all licist and she put in a good word because she
cool and fun, but it’s hard work isn’t it?
thought we would be a great match for a tour.
<LW> Making the album is fun, hard From the next room I remember hearing 'they
want Laura to open for Ted' and I nearly hit the energy.
roof with excitement.
CV WW: Tell us about one of your most memoCV WW: What was touring with Ted Nugent rable shows.
like? What did you learn from touring with a
<LW> Definitely in Tama, Iowa. We arlegend like him?
rived at the venue and it was pouring with rain.
<LW> Touring with Ted Nugent was such I had to sound check in a yellow plastic poncho.
an amazing experience. We got to travel across The entire stage was flooded to the point where
the whole country and play virtually every night the crew was
which was like a dream. We made so many new pushing off all
friends.
of the water
Ted was such a great artist to learn with brooms.
from. Everything from his showmanship, per- All of the gear
formance and playing ability were just flawless was sitting in
and energetic.
puddles and
covered with
CV WW: Talk about your first “official” show plastic sheets.
– you’re walking to the stage, ready to rock, I was scared
what is going through your mind?
of
slipping
<LW> I can remember it like it was yester- over or getting
day. My guitarist was riding a bike in the rain electrocuted
the night before the show and slipped off and by the soaked
broke his arm. He ended up playing the show in wires! Luckily
excruciating pain. After such a horrific and the
rain
stressful scramble on the day, I was morbidly cu- cleared
up
rious to see how the whole thing was going to and it turned
pan out.
out to be one
of the best
CV WW: What are you thinking when you are
shows of the
on stage, and the fans are screaming and
whole tour.
cheering, do you ever get caught up in the moment, get distracted?
CV WW: What’s the craziest thing one of your
<LW> On tour, most of the time is spent
fans has done during a show?
cooped up traveling so when you finally get on
<LW> In one of my earlier shows in Melstage to play, you want to make the most of evebourne I was standing near the front of the stage
ry moment up there. When the fans in the audiand an audience member jumped up on stage
ence are screaming and cheering, it's such a treat
and ripped my raccoon tail right off! I guess he
because you connect and feed off each other's
really wanted a souvenir.
CV WW: Rock Over America voted you “Best
New Female Artist” for 2012 – you beat out
some heavy talent, how does that make you
feel, looking back at all you went through to
get to this point?
<LW> I really feel so honored to have been
given the award. It was such a fantastic close to
a wonderful year.
CV WW: 2012 was an incredible breakout
year, how do you top that? Is the future
daunting based on such an incredible run?
<LW> Not at all. I am so thankful for the
success that we had last year and the progress
made it' feeling comes when people have been
inspired by the live show or songs on the record.
To be able to influence people and touch their
hearts though music is just amazing.
CV WW: What do you hope to accomplish with
your music, how do you want people to react
to your music?
<LW> I hope to provide people with an
emotional connection to the message in the different songs. I would like to take listeners on the
same journey that I was on when the songs were
written.
CV WW: What are the big plans for 2013 for
Laura Wilde?
<LW> A new record is in the works and we are
at present looking at some different touring options. Keep an eye on my webpage for all of the
updates!
CV WW: And to show our support, tell us who
has got your back onstage, let’s give props to
the band too!
made so far. The ultimate goal is always there
<LW> I'm happy to say that we've got Brad
but it's just a matter of taking things one baby Bailey on the guitar, Chris Price on the bass and
step at a time and moving forward.
RJ Shankle on the drums. They are such a great
bunch of guys. I can't wait to head out on the
CV WW: What about your music do you think road with them this summer.
appeals to people?
<LW> Many people have mentioned that CV WW: Laura, thank you for taking the time
they love the powerful energy of the music and out of your busy schedule to speak with us!
live show and that it's unusual to see someone of
<LW> Thank you, Chris. It has been a
my age playing that style of rock 'n' roll.
pleasure.
CV WW: Where do you think you fall in the
evolution of Laura Wilde, the stage of growth
as an artist?
<LW> I still feel like I'm a sprouting seed,
with a little sunshine and water hopefully this
thing will blossom into something that I can look
back on with pride.
CV WW: Have you ever stood on stage and
said to yourself “yeah, I’ve made it”, do you
have that feeling yet?
<LW> Seeing people in the audience smiling, head banging, throwing horns and just having a good time makes me so happy, I feel like I
could float off the stage. Sometimes the 'I've
VISIT Laura @
http://www.laurawilde.com/
LIKE Laura @
https://www.facebook.com/laurawildemusic
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9:00 pM
With
5 Automotive Fixes You Can Do Yourself
These DIY Jobs Save You Time and Money
Even in this age of computerized automotive systems and engines hidden from view beneath
plastic covers, there are simple upkeep tasks that you can do that will save time and money. And
this means you — ordinary, old, non-mechanical you.
This list of projects requires few tools and no experience. If you've hung a picture or pounded a nail, you can tackle any one of them. "Taking care of the small things now can add up to a big
difference in your wallet later on," says a merchandising manager for AutoZone, a large auto parts
retailer.
It's difficult to attach cost savings to some items on our list. Others have a wide range of costs,
depending on whether you drive a luxury car or a beater. The Edmunds.com data department estimated the time it would take a mechanic to complete each task and calculated the labor cost for
Southern California. But doing these jobs yourself will have rewards above and beyond saving a
buck or two, and we've noted such benefits, too. You might just like the hands-on experience
enough that you'll move on to other DIY projects.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure and Inflate Your Tires
Money $aved: A tire-pressure check and inflation is usually combined with other routine services, but the estimate for the shop cost
of this alone is $22-$30. The biggest savings, however, is the increased fuel economy that comes with properly inflated tires: $112
a year in gas, according to an Edmunds.com study of its employees.
According to the same study, the savings could be as high as $800
for drivers with severely underinflated tires. If the nearly 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States were only 7
percent underinflated and owners brought their tires up to the
specified level, the overall savings would be about $23 billion per
year, according to a 2005 Department of Transportation study.
Time required: 15 minutes, once a month
Parts required: None
Tools required: Tire pressure gauge, air pump (usually free at a gas station)
Why DIY: Keeping your tires properly inflated is important for three reasons, according to Matt Edmonds, vice president of Tire Rack, an online tire retailer. As Edmonds tells us, properly inflated
tires improve safety (your car handles better during emergency braking and cornering), prolong
tire life (tires wear more evenly) and reduce fuel costs. "You never notice an underinflated tire until you have to slam on the brakes or swerve around something on the highway," Edmonds says.
"That's when the underinflated tire can really affect performance."
2. Rotate Your Tires
Money $aved: A tire rotation in Los Angeles ranges from $43-$60.
For a person driving 12,000 miles a year, that's two tire rotations.
Doing it yourself could save $120 annually.
Time required: One hour
Parts required: None
Tools required: Jack stand, tire iron and your car's jack
Why DIY: Front tires often wear faster than rear tires because
braking and cornering is more demanding on them, according to
Tire Rack's Edmonds. By rotating your tires, you help ensure that
two tires won't need replacement prematurely. The Tire Rack Web site offers common rotation patterns, but Edmonds recommends sticking to the pattern in your car's owner's manual. Furthermore, when you perform the rotation yourself, you can closely inspect the tires for defects and
premature wear. You might spot a nail that's stuck in a tire and is slowly deflating it, Edmonds says.
3. Change Your Air Filter
Money $aved: Mechanics charge $19-$60 just for the labor involved in changing an air filter.
Time required: Five minutes
Parts required: New air filter
Tools required: Screwdriver
Why DIY: Sales guys at quick-lube places love to upsell customers on air filters because the filters take very little time to replace and bring a nice profit. Changing one yourself only takes 5
minutes, keeps dirt out of your engine and improves fuel economy, according to AutoZone. In areas with lots of dust, change
the air filter more frequently, the retailer recommends. If you
learn where the filter is and how to change it, it's an easy way to
extend the life of your engine.
4. Replace Bulbs and Fuses
Money $aved: Mechanics charge from $17-$132 to replace bulbs and fuses, depending on the make and model of vehicle.
Time required: 30 minutes
Parts required: Replacement bulbs and fuses (usually sold in a box of assorted sizes)
Tools required: Screwdriver
Why DIY: Headlights and taillights are essential safety items. It doesn't cost much for a mechanic to
change a bulb or a fuse, but do you really want to schlep to a garage, wait around and maybe pay
the 50 percent markup dealers charge for parts? That's the average, according to this service advisor in "Confessions from the Dealership Service Department." Instead, pick up the bulb or automotive fuses at an auto parts store and crack open your owner's manual.
5. Change Your Own Oil
Money $aved: Quick-lube shops and dealership service departments in the Los
Angeles area charge $39-$60 for an oil change.
Time required: One hour
Parts required: Engine oil, oil filter. Sometimes it's a good idea to replace the washer
for the drain plug, too.
Tools required: Jack, oil pan for catching the old oil, socket wrench, oil-filter wrench,
recycling bottles, mechanic's rubber gloves and plenty of rags.
Why DIY: Changing your own oil will save money and help you to avoid one of
the upsells that quick-lube salespeople or the service advisors tend to push during
the oil-change process. While an oil change is more advanced than other items on this list, it is well
within the ability of anyone with a little mechanical knowledge. After you master this task, you
might feel like a real mechanic and you may find yourself bragging about it to your friends.
There's Help at Hand
When you're setting out to do any of these fix-it jobs, don’t forget to check with your local auto
parts store for DIY support services they might offer.
© Copyright Edmunds.com Reprinted with Permission
"PREPARING
YOU
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What's going on in the Las Vegas Nightlife world? Las Vegas
Nightlife Photos was busy shooting all kinds of shows across
the valley. The month of March in Sin City was a little slower
than most, with not as many larger live music shows than the
warmer months hold. That's not saying it was boring by any
means.
A new player on the Live Music front is Club fortune Casino; a
smaller casino than what most are
used to and located in the deepest
part of the Southeast Henderson
valley. After arriving on the map
in 2011 with their first Battle of the
Bands, actually providing a subStoney Curtis @ Club Fortune Casino stantial prize to the winning band
($2000) and guaranteed paying
gigs in their showroom, Club Fortune is supporting the local
music scene in a big way, hosting 1-2 bands every weekend and
having started a Thursday Night 'Open Jam' with some of the
top players in the city showing up weekly. Hosted by Jason Constantine, Engineer/Producer at Desert Moon Productions, Merry
Adin from the band Brazen and Danny Robert, Drummer from
Club Fortune's first Battle of the Band Winners, Bluff Control,
Sin City Sinners’ Brent & Doc
these professionals put on one of the best Open Jams in Sin City.
One of the hottest live music venues in Las Vegas, Vamp'd
hosted a nonstop barrage of talented musicians. A change to
the norm, Vamp'd hosted some of the top Tribute Bands in the
industry with Aces High (Tribute to Iron Maiden), Damage Inc
(Tribute to Metallica), Las Vegas KISS' Tribute Show and Fan
Halen's Tribute to early Van Halen. This took place in addition
to some of the bigger names in 80's & 90's rock, Tesla's Frank
Hannon, The Bulletboys, Y&T, Saigon Kick and legendary guitarist, Uli Jon Roth. A new collaboration of top-notch Hard
Rock & Metal Artists, Cyanide, made it's debut at Vamp'd to a
packed house as well.
Robert Hussey of Cyanide
In addition to the bigger names, some of the hottest local
bands also graced the stage. Outta The Black performed one of
it’s most unique shows to date, covering one of the top songs
on current radio rotation, and introducing 2 brand new origi-
nal songs, along with a brand new front man. Drew Calvert, former Lead Singer for KAOS X & Aces High. Drew joined the OTB
clan to add a whole new punch to an already over-the-top show.
Along with OTB, everyone's favorite Dirty Pair-O-Dice, The Stoney
Curtis Band, and Vamp'd's own Danny 'The Count' Koker with his
band Zito77, hit the Vamp'd stage. A stranger to Vamp'd lately,
The Sin City Sinners, came back to rock a full house as well as the
Jizzy Pearl Band. The Sinners just completed their final show at
their long time home, The Railhead, inside Boulder Station Hotel
& Casino. The event was a celebration
of Jizzy Pearl's Birthday with guest appearances from Stoney Curtis, Doc Ellis
and Jeff Tortora.
LVCS, also known as the Las Vegas
Country Saloon, has been bringing in a
large amount of local bands, giving them a shot to showcase their
talents. Located down amongst the Fremont Street Experience,
directly about the Brass Lounge, LVCS has one of the top showrooms anywhere in downtown Las Vegas. The latest show that I
attended included a contender in the previously mentioned venue Club Fortune's Battle of the Band's II. After a short hiatus, JetBlackLab returned with a new front man, performing at the
LVCS. After being a Finalist in the Battle of the Bands II at Club
Fortune Casino, they have come back with even a bigger punch
than before and are continuously looking for that next open
stage.
Brian of Smashing Alice
DVIR @ Vamp’d
Smashing Alice, another entry in the Club Fortune Casino Battle of the Bands II, continues
to impress the enormous crowds on Fremont Street with their onslaught, drawing in hundreds of passer-by’s with their impressive performances. They are also making a return to
the new club inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Viny’l, on April 6 th. Viny’l is the latest
Live Music venue to open in Las Vegas and is gaining an interest with tourists and locals
alike. Hosting local acts and independent artists as well as national touring acts, Viny'l is becoming one of the top larger venues in Sin City.
After all this excitement, what will happen NEXT month? Come back and find out...
Kevin Lastovica
Las Vegas Nightlife Photos
https://www.facebook.com/messages/
SinCityExaminer
JetBlackLab playing @ LVCS