Aug 30, 2016

Gov't Mule brought their Smokin' Mule Tour to the beautiful Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Sunday night (August 28) and it truly was a night to remember. Upon arrival, it was announced that it was going to be a general admission show, meaning everyone had access to the floor section and had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the amazing music ready to be delivered on this night. Obviously The Mule has some seriously dedicated fans, and that announcement made everyone even more jacked up, excited and ready to get into the night.

Sometimes there are shows that you leave saying, "That was really great," and then there are those shows that make you feel fully connected with the music, that from beginning to end you are completely and totally into the experience. A show that you will think about in the days to follow, relive, and understand that you will be seeing this band every time they roll through town. This Gov't Mule show truly was one of those nights of music.

I was ready to see opening act Blackberry Smoke for the first time, as I had missed them in a prior headlining show on the Central Coast at the Chumash Casino Resort this past April. There really couldn't be a better pairing for an opener with Mule than Blackberry Smoke. From start to finish the boys from Atlanta delivered their fantastic blend of Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Gospel and R&B. With influences all over the board, their appeal (just as Gov't Mule's) hits all different kinds of music lovers. I saw people with a Volbeat shirts on, a Pantera hat, tatoos, cowboy hats and denim, and plenty of tie-dye and flowing skirts. Positive vibes flowed throughout the house and besides the Smoke onstage, I smelled some other smoke in the air as well, and I suppose it probably was a Blackberry Kush, helping blend in with that other rockin' Smoke. The talented band consists of Charlie Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards). All of their releases were well represented in the set, with the opening track 'Fire in the Hole,' from the 'Holding All the Roses' 2015 release, followed by 'Six Ways to Sunday' from 2012's 'The Whippoorwill' and cuts from 2009's 'Little Piece of Dixie' and their EP 'Wood, Wire & Roses.' Blackberry Smoke rocked some new tracks from their upcoming album 'Like An Arrow' as well, which you can pre-order now at www.blackberrysmoke.com. 

The guys even threw in some Zeppelin with an awesome cover of 'You Time Is Gonna Come' and an amazing rendition of Black Sabbath's 'Fairies Were Boots.' Really glad I had an opportunity to see this band and it won't be the last time.

Blackberry Smoke set list:
1. Fire in the Hole
2. Six Ways to Sunday
3. Let Me Help You (Find the Door)
4. Rollin' and Tumblin' / Rock and Roll Again
5. Good One Comin' On
6. Sanctified Woman
7. Sleeping Dogs / Your Time Is Gonna Come (Led Zeppelin cover)
8. Ain't Got the Blues
9. Waiting for the Thunder
10. Fairies Wear Boots (Black Sabbath cover)
11. Ain't Much Left of Me

The party vibe was in full effect after the Blackberry Smoke set, as everyone in the house was ready for the great Warren Hayes and Gov't Mule. Hayes formed the band while still in the Allman Brothers back in 1994, and they are truly one of the definitive and extremely talented jam bands in the business. You name the artist, Warren has probably jammed with them at some point. The list is endless as is this legendary American guitarist's talent.

The band hit the stage with an amazing rendition of 'World Boss,' continuing into 'Lay Your Burden Down,' 'Steppin’ Lightly' and 'World Of Difference.' That was followed by some great covers, including The Band's 'The Shape I'm In,' Bob Marley's 'Lively Up Yourself' and Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Long As I Can See the Light' wrapped around the band's 'Temporary Saint.'

The musicianship could just not get any better, with original band member Matt Abts on the drums, the amazing Danny Louis on guitar and keys and Jorgen Carlsson bringing the Swedish Bass fuel for the Mule.

After the CCR cover, Jimmy Kimmel Live guitar player Yoshi Yanagi came out to join the band for a truly next level version of 'Sco-Mule,' trading riffs with Warren and just blowing everyone away. This is what I'm talking about when I say some shows are great and others are just so fantastic you are awestruck. It was just amazing.

The band wasn't nearly done with their over 2 1/2 hour set, continuing with 'Monday Morning Countdown,' followed by 'Frozen Fear' that included an interlude of Led Zeppelin's 'D'yer Maker.' That was the first of two Zep tunes Mule jammed on this night, later tossing in 'Whole Lotta Love' with Bo Diddley's 'Who Do You Love' during 'Mule.'

The evening concluded with Blackberry Smoke's Charlie Starr joining in on the encore (as he has every night on this tour) for versions of Bob Dylan's 'It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry,' which was the first time they have played that together, and Bob Seger's 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man,' with a little signature jam of Mountain's 'Mississippi Queen' tossed in for good measure. After feeling the positive vibes on the floor for most all of the show, a friend who attended with me and I watched the Dylan/Seger encore from a couple of levels up when one of the hospitable concessionaire's from the venue came walking around with a huge platter of baked goods, giving them out to anyone who wanted them. I grabbed a bacon maple twist and a couple of cookies to chow down on while the show wrapped up, feeling the contact high from not only what was in the air, but from the wrap up of one hell of a night of just amazing music. Truly a night to remember.

Setlist:
1. World Boss
2. Lay Your Burden Down
3. Steppin' Lightly
4. World Of Difference
5. The Shape I'm In (The Band cover)
6. Lively Up Yourself (Bob Marley cover)
7. Temporary Saint
8. Long As I Can See The Light (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
9. Sco-Mule (with Toshi Yanagi)
10. Monday Mourning Meltdown
11. Frozen Fear/D'yer Mak'er (Led Zep cover)/Frozen Fear
12. King's Highway/K.H. Jam
13. When The World Gets Small
14. Slackjaw Jezebel
15. Mule (with Les Brers In A Minor tease)/Who Do You Love?/Whole Lotta Love/Who Do You Love?/Mule
Encore
16. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry (Bob Dylan cover with Charlie Starr; first time played)
17. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man/Mississippi Queen tease (Bob Seger/Mountain cover with Charlie Starr)

For more photos from the show check out Marshall of Rock on Facebook.

For all Gov't Mule news and upcoming tour dates, hit mule.net

For all upcoming shows at the beautiful Vina Robles Amphitheatre, check out vinaroblesamphitheatre.com

Special Thanks to Vanessa Kromer and Jennifer Anderson of Nederlander

Aug 22, 2014

The website The Richest has posted the top ten richest bass players in the world. While many of the bassists on the list you would be able to guess, there is one surprise to me...Tony Kanal of No Doubt came in at #9 with $45 million. Who knew?

1. Paul McCartney – $1.2 billion
2. Sting – $300 million
2. Gene Simmons (KISS) – $300 million
4. Roger Waters – $270 million
5. Adam Clayton (U2) – $150 million
6. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – $115 million
7. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) – $80 million
8. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) – $65 million
9. Tony Kanal (No Doubt) – $45 million
10. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) – $40 million

Feb 10, 2014

A new tribute album celebrating the legacy and life of Ronnie James Dio is set for release 0n April 1st. Titled 'This Is Your Life', the album features new covers of songs from Dio's entire career with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell by a number of hard rock's biggest names.

Metallica recorded the 'Ronnie Rising Medley, a nine-minute medley of songs from Dio's years in Rainbow, including 'Stargazer,' 'Kill the King,' 'Tarot Woman' and 'A Light in the Black.' Anthrax offer the Black Sabbath track 'Neon Knights' and Motörhead along with Saxon vocalist Biff Byford bring the Rainbow track 'Starstruck.' The Scorpions rock 'The Temple Of The King,' with Halestorm contributing 'Straight Through The Heart.'

Rob Halford teams up with Dio alum Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for 'The Man On The Silver Mountain.' Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot) covers 'Rainbow In The Dark,' with Jack Black and Kyle Glass of Tenacious D bringing their version of 'The Last In Line.' Killswitch Engage’s cover from 2006 of 'Holy Diver' is included, as is Doro's take on 'Egypt (The Chains Are On).' Adrenaline Mob rocks 'The Mob Rules' and a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, perform 'I.' Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) joins other members of Dio’s solo band: Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren for 'Catch The Rainbow.' a track from Rainbow’s debut album.

Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010 but his spirit and legacy live on. Proceeds from the album will benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand UP and Shout Cancer Fund, the non-profit charity fund co-founded by Dio's widow Wendy (who also produced the album). The organization is dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention.

Track Listing:
1. Anthrax - Neon Knights
2. Tenacious D - The Last In Line
3. Adrenaline Mob - The Mob Rules
4. Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher - Rainbow In The Dark
5. Halestorm - Straight Through The Heart
6. Motörhead with Biff Byford of Saxon - Starstruck
7. Scorpions - Temple Of The King
8. Doro - Egypt (The Chains Are On)
9. Killswitch Engage - Holy Diver
10. Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren - Catch the Rainbow
11. Jimmy Bain, Oni Logan, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy - I
12. Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren - Man On The Silver Mountain
13. Metallica - Ronnie Rising Medley (featuring A Light in the Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill the King)
14. Dio - This Is Your Life

Jan 4, 2014

While there were so many worthy tracks in 2013, I have compiled what are my Top 25 for the year of 2013. Check them out and see what you think.

25. Heaven & Earth - No Money, No Love

24. Otherwise - I Don't Apologize (1000 Pictures)

23. Black Star Riders - Bound For Glory

22. Alter Bridge - Addicted To Pain

21. Halestorm - freak Like Me

20. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

19. Beware Of Darkness - Howl

18. Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

17. Korn - Never Ever

16. Monster Truck - Sweet Mountain River

15. Devour The Day - Good Man

14. Sound City Players (Dave Grohl, Corey Taylor, Rick Nielsen, Scott Reeder) - From Can To Can't

13. Nine Inch Nails - Came Back Haunted

12. Motorhead - Heartbreaker

11. U2 - Ordinary Love

10. Alice In Chains - Voices

9. Black Sabbath - God Is Dead?

8. S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing) - I'm The One

7. Pop Evil - Trenches

6. Tom Keifer - Solid Ground

5. Stone Sour - Do Me A Favor

4. Pearl Jam - Mind Your Manners

3. Sound City Players featuring Stevie Nicks - You Can't Fix This

2. Stone Sour - Tired

1. The Winery Dogs - Elevate

Jan 4, 2014

Now that 2013 was here and gone like a flash, I have finally realized it and gotten my Top Album of 2013 posted. There was a lot of great music released. Some were unexpected gems, some had high expectations and sucked, and others still made me believe that some of today's rock can hold up some years from now. Not too much of that, but still some entertaining and riveting music to ROCK to. Check out my Top 20:

20. Jared James Nichols - Old Glory & The Wild Revival

This 5-track E.P. from the 22 year old blues rock prodigy kicks off with an amazing track called 'Blackfoot,' and the rest of the album's material firmly adds this young guitar great to the list of potential future legends. This Berklee College of Music alum is that good. Recognize and do it now. A full album will follow this Spring.

19. Buckcherry - Confessions

Another great album from a band that continues to not get the acclaim they deserve for what they are...a truly great American Rock band. While these guys have had multiple great albums over the years and a wealth of fantastic material, I really feel they should be more well known in all rock circles. This was a bit of a departure for the band, but still delivered as Buckcherry always do.

18. Joe Satriani - Unstoppable Momentum

Joe brought forth another great album of material in 2013 that generally lives up to that of his past. Music you can feel from Joe, right when we needed it. There just aren't any artists around anymore that not only do what Joe does, but does it this well every time.

17. Tedeshi Trucks Band - Made Up Mind

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi put their solo bands on hiatus to form a new group in 2010 that lets the married couple focus on making music together. We are so glad they did. 'Made Up Mind' is the band's third album and continues the feel good blues vibe of their previous studio and live album releases. I have yet to see Tedeshi Trucks Band live, but with dates booked in 2014, I hope to get the chance to see these fantastic musicians and their bandmates perform this great material live.

16. Alter Bridge - Fortress

Alter Bridge returned with their new album 'Fortress' in 2013, and it delivered the combo of intense in your face rock along with the emotion and connecting mid tempo tracks that the band puts into each and every release. Alter Bridge has yet to tour the U.S. behind this release, but have multiple dates on tap for 2014. I expect the album to get a resurgence on the charts and hopefully with radio airplay for more of these deserving tracks.

15. Monster Truck - Furiosity

The Canadian rockers from Hamilton, Ontario bring it big time on this, their first full-length album. The band had released two EP's previous to this album, but I was glad to finally discover the band behind this latest release. The band mixes their hard rock, punk and classic rock influences and it comes out crushing like a Monster Truck. To me there is a harder rocking Skynyrd vibe, which I really dig. The band won the 2013 Juno Award for breakthrough album of the year and theyplayed the Download Festival in 2013. They've toured with Slash and others in the U.S. in the past and will be touring in the U.S. with Buckcherry later this month, so look for them and show your support! I really dig their vibe and hope bigger things in the future for them.

14. Black Star Riders - All Hell Breaks Loose

The band that previously toured as Thin Lizzy decided to recharge with a new album and a new band name and the result was a much acclaimed offering that checks in at #15 on my list for 2013. While still holding onto a core sound, Black Star Riders collectively have a new energy and a exciting future that begins with this album.

13. John Fogerty - Wrote A Song For Everyone

Fogerty brought a new energy to many of his Creedence Clearwater Revival classic tracks and added some great new songs to this collaborative collection. The likes of Kid Rock, Bob Seger, Foo Fighters and Tom Morello joined country artists Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson and Miranda Lambert on the album with Fogerty, creating some unique new versions of his songs.

12. Anthrax - Anthems

The sixth EP from the legendary thrash rockers brings versions of the band's favorites from the 1970's together, along with two versions of "Crawl", a song from their previous studio album. Featured covers on the album include 'Anthem' (Rush cover), 'T.N.T.' (AC/DC cover), 'Smokin' (Boston cover), 'Keep On Runnin' (Journey cover), 'Big Eyes' (Cheap Trick cover) and 'Jailbreak' (Thin Lizzy cover).

11. Alice In Chains - The Devil Put The Dinosaurs Here

The fifth studio album from Alice In Chains, and the second with singer William DuVall, peaked at #2 in the U.S. charts and featured some great tracks like 'Hollow,' 'Stone,' and 'Voices.' The rest of the album has moments, and while not to the level of 2009's 'Black Gives Way To Blue,' overall it warrants a Top 15 finish on my top albums of 2012.

10. Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt

Pearl Jam's tenth studio album continued and added to the band's acceptance and future Hall of Fame credentials. The guys are aging graceful, delivering moments of the 90's angst, with an adult and contemporary sound on other tracks. It all works and delivers 'Lightning Bolt' into my Top 10.

9. Stryper - No More Hell To Pay

Christian rockers Stryper delivered an album stronger than I anticipated and worthy of a Top 10 finish on my list. Micheal Sweet has showed what an amazing talent and leader of the band he is, with his producing, singing, and guitar skills all showcased along with other long time band members Oz Fox, Robert Sweet and Tim Gaines. Stryper's 'No More Hell To Pay' way truly one of the year's rock surprises.

8. Queensryche - Redemption

If it wasn't obvious before it's release, this version of Queensryche with all the original members of the band and new singer Todd LaTorre, trumped the Geoff Tate version by far after it. The album is all quality material, and the addition of LaTorre has added a new passion that was seemingly missing with the last few Queensryche records. We shall see if Tate answers in 2014 with an album of his own, but this will be tough to beat.

7. Motorhead - Aftershock

Despite Lemmy Kimister's recent health issues in 2013, the new album from Motorhead was a jack and coke, with a shot of tequila, jager and another shot of jack. The album rocks hard from beginning to end, and while we all want Lemmy to chill out a bit and curtail his favorite intake so he can be with us for as long as possible, this album from Motorhead continues the legacy of the band and the man who is a true rock original.

6. Tom Keifer - The Way Life Goes

A great solo offering from the Cinderella frontman that showed a wide range of influences and talents. Tom has always been a fantastic songwriter, with multiple memorable hits from his Cinderella days. That continues with 'The Way Life Goes,' and I hope we get more new solo material in the future from Tom, as well as new Cinderella music.

5. Pop Evil - Onyx

Michigan rockers Pop Evil continued their onslaught on the airwaves, with two songs from their latest album already going to #1 on the Active Rock charts. The second album from the band has firmly etched the guys as major players in rock, with the ability and talent to take it to an even bigger level.

4. Stone Sour - The House Of Gold & Bones Part 2

One of the most interesting rock projects of the year, with Corey Taylor raising Stone Sour's influence, even getting closer to the level of popularity of his other band Slipknot. This was the second of the two 'House Of Gold & Bones' albums, and spawned two singles that are in my Top 10 tracks of the year. Combine the two CD packaging and you get an actual cardboard model home, and add the whole comic book issues with that and you have a dynamic, multi-layed project that reached so many on so many levels.

3. Sound City - Real To Reel

A fantastic soundtrack album to Dave Grohl's 'Sound City' rockumentary, the project combined artists that have recorded legendary albums in the past at the iconic Sound City Studios, with an array of great artists that Grohl brought together as the Sound City Players. Two tracks from this album also are featured in my top tracks of the year. If you have yet to see the 'Sound City' movie, you owe it to yourself to check it out and enjoy!

2. Black Sabbath - 13

I was upset when first hearing that drummer Bill Ward wouldn't be a part of the Black Sabbath reunion tour and album, but with each listen, the album continues to get better and better to me. The project has been a huge success, with the album and tour both making Black Sabbath one of the rock stories of the year. I still am holding out hope that Ward will get to rejoin his bandmates for shows and recordings at some point (better be soon), but if that doesn't happen, will still have this crushing Sabbath album that kicked my ass.

1. The Winery Dogs - The Winery Dogs

This is by far my favorite release of 2013! Master musicianship from the power trio featuring guitarist and vocals from Richie Kotzen, bass from the amazing Billy Sheehan, and percussion by one of today's great drummers, Mike Portnoy. Great songs with great hooks, and a variety of sounds demonstrating three masters meshing in a way that maybe even they didn't think possible. A phenomenal album from a band that I hope continues to stay together and put out more fantastic music. While the band has played some shows in 2013 in the U.S., I'm hoping for more opportunities to see this material live and what they future holds for a band that deserves to be recognized by all rock fans of any genre.

Others that missed the Top 20:
Megadeth - Supercollider, Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell & Angels, Avenged Sevenfold - Hail To The King, Five Finger Death Punch - The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Vol. 1 & 2, Stone Temple Pilots - High Rise (E.P.), Airbourne - Black Dog Barking, Korn - The Paradigm Shift, Kill Devil Hill - Revolution Rise, Krokus - Dirty Dynamite, S.U.N. (Something Unto Nothing), Gov't Mule - Shout, Eve To Adam - Locked & Loaded