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SPOTLIGHT | GIBSON TV: ICONS

1/20/2021

photo manipulation by nacrowe

for the past couple months the legendary, and recently troubled, guitar manufacturer GIBSON has been publishing a series of long-form interviews on its YOUTUBE page. in keeping with recent efforts by other leading manufacturers of musical products like ERNIE BALL and FENDER, GIBSON has used legacy artists to reconnect with their core, and often overlooked, HARD ROCK / METAL audience.

it is probably a smart move of having JERRY CANTRELL, KIRK HAMMETT and TONY IOMMI out front speaking about their careers then having GIBSON themselves selling themselves, especially given the company's recent heavy-handed and notoriously misguided PLAY AUTHENTIC debacle. i also find it interesting that they chose these three players as two of them are well-known endorsees of other manufacturers, CANTRELL with G&L and HAMMETT with ESP. IOMMI of course is synonymous with the GIBSON SG model. apparently last year CANTRELL became a brand ambassador, whatever that is, but then again live and in the studio he has been known to use LES PAULS. HAMMETT likewise is famous for his use of LES PAULS as well as FLYING V's, especially in METALLICA's early years.

whomever jumped on this trend at GIBSON of created thoughtful interviews and mini-documentaries on legendary players deserves kudos because these are great. they have only released a handful but they are well worth investigating.

"DEER GOD RADIO 92: METALLICA & CLIFF BURTON" NOW AVAILABLE

9/20/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO dedicated to the early METALLICA albums and the memory and enduring creative legacy of CLIFF BURTON.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

IN MEMORIAM: RILEY GALE OF POWER TRIP

8/27/2020

photo manipulation by nacrowe

this sucks.

usually i dont write about it when prominent cultural figures pass away, but the unexpected death of RILEY GALE of DALLAS THRASH METAL revival band POWER TRIP hit me pretty hard. maybe its because im about his age. maybe its because METAL is a genre that lacks originality and when you discover a group that is unique you really cling to them that much harder. as a music fan this really sucks.

after hearing their second release NIGHTMARE LOGIC (SOUTHERN LORD, 2017) i immediately wrote about it in our ongoing CHECK OUT THIS BAND series of recording artists worth investigating (linked HERE). that record had the groove of PANTERA with the economical riffage and sheer ferocity of early SLAYER and METALLICA. they also had this "no bullshit" aesthetic about them that endeared them to everyone. i was looking forward to their next release. sadly i never saw them live.

details surrounding his passing are still forthcoming. thoughts of course go out to his family and loved ones. they ask that gifts in his name be donations to the DALLAS HOPE CHARITIES.

RIP brother.

"DEER GOD RADIO 92: METALLICA" LIVE TONIGHT AT 8PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

5/10/2020

parodies by nacrowe

tonight's new episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 8PM EST on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is dedicated to the early career of THRASH METAL icons METALLICA, especially their work with legendary bassist/songwriter CLIFF BURTON (RIP). guest hosting tonight will be my friend VERONICA (biggest METALLICA fanatic i've ever met) who will be broadcasting live from ARGENTINA! gonna be fun, make sure to tune in!

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 80: KURT BALLOU PRODUCTION" NOW AVAILABLE

4/7/2020

parody by nacrowe

check out HERE this recent streaming video episode of DEER GOD RADIO focused on the production, mixing and engineering work of CONVERGE guitarist KURT BALLOU.

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

BOOK REVIEW | "I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX" BY SCOTT IAN

1/20/2020

photo & text by nacrowe
to access our review of SCOTT IAN's other 2017 memoir ACCESS ALL AREAS click HERE

much like his other release ACCESS ALL AREAS: STORIES FROM A HARD ROCK LIFE (DA CAPO PRESS, 2017), which i covered in a previous review, legendary THRASH METAL guitarist SCOTT IAN of ANTHRAX is a more than capable narrator of his own life story in his debut book I'M THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX (DA CAPO PRESS, 2014), which sees him overcome a troubled childhood with a neurotic mother, two failed marriages and surviving the music industry over 30 years with his mind and band intact.

it may be due to his long-term sobriety (minus a few PANTERA and OZZY tours) that the detail of his recollections seem to be precise and noteworthy. i made the point before in the other review that his writing style is very utilitarian, much like his guitar playing and this is holds true with this book as well. he tends not to embellish and hold himself to account for past misjudgments and moral lapses, which only further gains his voice credence in the reader's mind.

of interest to me with this book, which is very much a traditional chronological affair (unlike ACCESS ALL AREAS which is more a series of interesting stories), is the beginnings of THRASH METAL and MEGAFORCE RECORDS. specifically the stories IAN chooses to tell about his friend and legendary bassist/composer CLIFF BURTON (R.I.P.) and the formative years of METALLICA and ANTHRAX. sharing the same indie label and manager provided him a front row seat to their early development which is compelling in historical terms. you really get a sense of the brotherhood of that early scene that carried on throughout their entire career, most famously in the BIG 4 concerts that happened this past decade.

i have to say that i also enjoyed his humor. too many times METAL bands take themselves and their image way too seriously (i'm looking right at you SLAYER) and even though ANTHRAX come off juvenile and goofy from time to time, in the end they come across as themselves: a bunch of METAL dudes from NYC.

and i can't fault them for that.

if you're interested in THRASH METAL, this book is worth your time and is a painless read, which is not always the case (cough, cough COREY TAYLOR).

"DEER GOD 56: THRASH METAL" AVAILABLE NOW

11/12/2019

cover by nacrowe

watch this recent episode of DEER GOD RADIO on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC with a playlist dedicated to THRASH METAL. FUCK YEAH!

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

"DEER GOD RADIO 56: THRASH METAL" LIVE TODAY AT 4PM EST ON MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC

11/6/2019

cover by nacrowe

today's episode of DEER GOD RADIO at 4PM on MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC is all about THRASH METAL, arguably the most influential permutation of the genre that bridges NWOBHM influences to modern day DEATH, GRIND and BLACK METAL among a myriad other sub-genres. gonna be awesome!

past episodes of DEER GOD RADIO as well as other MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC shows like MAKE HER SPACE, NOWHERE FAST, THE SYNTHESIZER SHOW and CLASSICAL-ISH WITH NUTMEG are available here at the DEER GOD website.

and if you haven't done so already get the FREE PHONE APP for IOS/ANDROID and enjoy listening to MAKERPARKRADIO.NYC 24/7 at your convenience!

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | IRON REAGAN

10/4/2019

photo manipulation by nacrowe

genius name. genius band.

seriously just watch. this is why i love METAL. IRON REAGAN are the HARDCORE alter egos of THRASH METAL group MUNICIPAL WASTE, but honestly it's all fuckin' ace.

you're welcome.

BOOK REVIEW | "ACCESS ALL AREAS" BY SCOTT IAN

9/30/2019

photo & text by nacrowe
to access our review of SCOTT IAN's other 2014 memoir I'M THE MAN click HERE

somewhere along the way, legendary guitar player SCOTT IAN of THRASH METAL icons ANTHRAX learned he had a real gift for storytelling. his obvious mentor in this regard was HARDCORE frontman HENRY ROLLINS of BLACK FLAG/ROLLINS BAND fame who has maintained a longstanding second career as an in-demand spoken-word artist.

given his stature, IAN has seen things over his 30+ year career and his second memoir ACCESS ALL AREAS: STORIES FROM A HARD ROCK LIFE (DA CAPO PRESS 2017), which he penned himself, maintains his acerbic wit, cadence and voice. reading through this it is not hard to imagine him standing beside you performing each narrative as a spoken-word routine, which is definitely a compliment. there is a reason why most musicians don't write their own memoirs, and IAN proves himself a highly capable narrator. his style is very much utilitarian in that he doesn't get too wordy or overly clever with descriptions, which in a way describes his iconic no-sense rhythm guitar work and that of his musical idol, MALCOLM YOUNG of AC/DC.

obviously i don't want to give away any of the stories, but i will say that they deal with his outside pursuits regarding professional poker, moonlighting in tv shows like THE WALKING DEAD and GAME OF THRONES, relationships and of course touring. highlights include stories that include the pranks of legendary PANTERA guitarist DIMEBAG DARRELL (R.I.P.), hanging out with MADONNA and the wardrobe choices of the immortal LEMMY KILMISTER (R.I.P.) of the almighty MOTÖRHEAD.

IAN comes off as a hardworking musician more than aware of how fortunate he is to have his career and the respect of his peers and this book, along with the previous I AM THE MAN: THE STORY OF THAT GUY FROM ANTHRAX (DA CAPO PRESS 2014), seem to be a celebration of that community of musicians. a celebration of how they touched his life, so in that regard i hope he keeps writing.

also keep a look out for the dude in concert. just learned he's touring with MR. BUNGLE in 2020. MIKE PATTON and SCOTT IAN sharing a stage. man, life certainly does not suck.

CHECK OUT THIS BAND | POWER TRIP

8/16/2019

photo manipulation by nacrowe

dallas' POWER TRIP is just a great, no-bullshit, throwback metal band that splits the difference between SLAYER and PANTERA.

if you are into metal, this will be a real treat. badass riffage, loud incoherent lyrics about brutality, group shouted vocals, you know, the works.

you're welcome.