Hard Rock Cafe Staff Talent Show Review

                      The Blood Moon Skies of Music.

Hard Rock Cafe Chicago

There was much taking place on this Sunday Autumn night in the Jewel of the Midwest. It was the last go-round for a 20-year old Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, a rare eclipse of a Super-moon that will not return until 2033 and the Hard Rock Cafe's Talent Show.  Most good stories begin with Three Blind Mice, Three Dog Night or the Three Musketeers.  Hosting this live event where the Three Zany Diablos,  Wallace, Stagg & Brian, whom organized a little party after work for friends and family to enjoy. For only a $5.00 cover charge, folks received an appetizer buffet, poetry readings and some heart felt music from all the staff that worked at the Hard Rock Cafe located in Chicago.

Stagg, Wallace & Brian

The room was filled with laughter as the blue lights glowed from the fog machine. and a White Stripes music video is playing on the flat screen televisions.  The video fades to black and Jared takes the stage with his acoustic set. Songs such as "The Wonder," Anchor and a song that helped transformed the Beatles from rock to pop with "Eleanor Rigby." Setting back, listening to the feel-good and sipping on my adult beverage, the mood was quite pleasant on this muggy end of summer night.

Jared & Brittany

Looking around the venue, I noticed some yummy pink cupcakes that were made by Cat Messer. "None for me," I said to my girlfriend. Beer and cupcakes don't mix. She went outside to light-up a smoke, as I jotted down some more notes in this intimate setting. Brittany Stead opened her heart with a song, mentioning her father's passing. "It has always been a dream to play on the Hard Rock stage," explained Stead. And with that said, she began to play "Over The Rainbow" for her spectators and dreams will come. However, one must fight for those dreams, and make them materialize, just as Brittany Stead did that evening.

The jokes, monologue and music kept going at the Hard Rock Cafe, and it was nice to be invited into their family only for a moment in time.  Allie was on stage next performing the Ah-Ha classic, "Take Me On."  Aside from all the fun that night, the hour was getting late. This was a school night for The Evil Genius, and getting my happy ass in class was now my top priority. In this final analysis, there are talented people all around. From busboys to bus driver, each of us have a special gift that can be shared for the betterment of humanity.

   

Judas Beast Show Review

                                         Feeding The Inner Beast at Nightcaps!



The clock read 11:11 PM on this busy night of fun in Chicago, as north side locals celebrated, General Manager, Dave Carlson's birthday bash at Nightcaps. Maid of Mettle has just finished their set list, and Danny Romaine was busting my balls about the free T-shirt that I received for helping Judas Beast with their food drive. Greg & Kristina Gaardbo at Shockwaves Promotional Apparel were cool enough to donate these wicked shirts if folks brought five non-perishable food items to the show. There was an odd mix of people on this Saturday night that failed to help out with the cause, and I have abandoned all hope for any kindness or generosity from this cold, rigid crowd of Judas Beast fans.

I had suffered grievously in this place, many times for reasons we do not need to talk about right now. However, Carlson unloaded five football pizzas on the pool table for all to enjoy during Judas Beast's live performance. Aces High kicked off the night, looking at the clock again, I notice the time is 11:22 PM and this Rock Star guy is setting next to me, having a drink. He seemed pretty cool, and later I found out that this was David Jett Glass form a washed-up band in the 1980's. Not even an outlaw journalist can deny the fact, that the dream is over for Glass, and perhaps being a tambourine instructor would be a better career choice for this studio cat.

There was a time, not long ago, when I looked forward to covering local bands with utter excitement. Now, folks just see me as some rubber-head fool with nothing to say. Maybe it's just me? I have run out of things to say about the music industry, and the time has come to press forward with new ideas.
Judas Beast put on a fair show at Nightcaps and in this business, sound is the key element. Covering Iron Maiden's new release titled: "Speed of Light" lacked the energy by Judas Beast.  This was a tough audience at Nightcaps and from the looks of things, Judas Beast might make another appearance in two more years.  It took a lot of Guts to get on stage and play a new cover for the "Book of Souls" and I commend Judas Beast for their gallant efforts. Under these circumstances, the night was pretty cool. Dave Carlson & Sonya Mozingo have always been gracious hosts at the CAP and with that in mind, on behalf of all the Chicago Metal heads, we wish Dave Carlson good heath and a Happy Birthday! Cheers from Pelletier and may you feed your inner Beast!






  

57th Chicago Air & Water Show.

                        Tragedy & Diamonds in the Sky

The Evil Genius.

The problem with documenting history can daunting task when you learn that something awful happened, and it's your job to report the bad news. Sargent 1st Class Corey Hood logged over 200 successful jumps during his career as a Golden Knight before a mid-air collision on Saturday. News sources say that 32-year old Hood was unconscious and was unable to maneuver his emergency safety chute, plowing into a Downtown Condo at speeds up to 120 mph. Hood was pronounced dead just after four o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The Breitling Jet Team released flares to honor a fallen hero.

Photo By: Joe Donato. 

On a lighter note, the Chicago Air & Water Show has always conducted an extremely safe and conscientious way. Both Military and Civilian Air Teams take-off and land at Gary/ Chicago International Airport and fly over Lake Michigan in a safety fly zone approved by the FAA. Additionally, the event employs its own air traffic controller who oversees all the downtown air space during the show. So when a jet is flying over buildings, pilots are merely returning back to the flight path back to the airport.

Hosting the 57th Chicago Air & Water Show was no other then announcer, Herb Hunter. This marks Hunter's 28th year as MC to more then 1 million spectators at this years event.  Air teams such as, AeroShell, Firebirds Delta and Team Oracle offered thrills, excitement and breathtaking action at one of Chicago's favorite summertime events. New to this year's line-up is, the Breitling Jet Team
wowing the crowds with their L-39 Albatross jets that can reach speeds up to 565 mph. France has some serious firepower and Chicago welcomes them to the Windy City for the first time ever and is free to the public.

The U.S Navy Blue Angels

Next up the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly overhead in a diamond formation, defying gravity and commanding respect with their F/A-18 Hornets. The Blue Angels are truly Rock Stars of the sky as they approached the magnificent skyline with Kick Start my Heart (Motley Crue) Who Do you Love ? (George Thorogood) and later rocking the beach with some Led Zeppelin. It was time to get the Lead out for these Blue Birds as these brave men soar with supersonic maneuvers reaching speeds of only 400 mph. Any faster,glass would burst from the Sonic-boom and a lot of people would be irate with the clean up cost.And who's going to flip the bill for that mess.

All things considered, the Chicago Air & Water Show is fun for all ages. It's time for family fun under the sun with out spending a ton of money. So grab the kids, fill your cooler with ice cream, pop and some snacks, relax and enjoy the good life being a Bum in the Sun. Until next time, stay safe and have a wonderful summer!

Photos By: Ken Kope

Vicious Circle & Cover Dogs

                    Live at The Cap, Celebrating Danny Romaine's 50th Birthday! 

The Moon is still in Cancer on this hot summer night in July and for most folks born under this zodiac sign, they will never relinquish a treasured object, and can remain hard on the outside. However, deep inside their hearts, they are soft gentle creatures. Why would I say such things?" you may ask. Well my Moon is Cancer and I know how these people think. Anyway  50-year old, Danny Romaine is one those crabby types that yearns for Heavy Metal Thunder to ease him into a pleasant mood. Sure, Cancer people can be quite moody. However, Chicago local bands such as Vicious Circle and Cover Dogs can put almost anyone into a happy place.

Vicious Circle: Rudy Guzman 

Nightcaps was blindsided and fatally paralyzed by the tenacious sounds of Vicious Circle. Once I arrived, some Mercyful Fate was blaring from speakers and fans were feeling that raw energy by lead frontman, Rudy Guzman  Other members include: Chris Tabor & Art Guzman (lead guitarist) Mick Lucid (bass) and drummer Kevin Tarpey from this progressive Heavy Metal group in Chicago. But things changed quickly, and now Danny Romaine was on stage in this "Hot Box" at the Cap, performing "Electric Eye" written by Judas Priest. Romaine's dark sunglasses and stocky build resembled that of a Black Panther Battle Tank ready for his Windy City War Cry. Yes sir, this guy can sing and Romaine ripped up that stage on this Saturday night.

Without delay, Cover Dogs was ready to rock "The Cap" and was one hot act to follow. The 90 degree temperature made this place feel like a brick oven, and so hot that you could probably bake a pizza on the floor. Cover Dogs offered up some good, in yer face rock-n-roll with song such as "Let it Rock, Let It Roll" "Shot Down In Flames" and "Shout at the Devil" just to name a few. Members for Cover Dogs are, Jeff  Hundrieser (Vocalist) Jon Dobbs & Nevin Trevic (lead guitarist) Kevin Cobleigh (bass) and drummer, Paul Bata. If you like super groups such as Queensryche, Guns n Roses and Motley Crue, then this group is definitely worth seeing.

Cover Dogs: Jeff Hundrieser & Jon Dobbs

Given these valid points in this article, and drinking with some good friends such as Van Halen Dave, Eddie Bak and Harold T. was indeed a killer night out. There were so many other friends I wanted to conversate but the thunder dome was to loud. And with in mind, I would like to give a Shout Out to:
Joe & Diana Incandella, Ana Marie Ippolito and John Griffith for their support in local music.
Of course, I didn't have to go home. However, I couldn't stay another minute in this sweat box at the Cap. More beer and blunts is want this outlaw journalist needed and my new quest began. Until the next time, Happy Birthday Danny!

LAVA Rock

                             Show Review at the Pavilion Event Center

LAVA Rock

This has been a spectacular summer so far, and with all the outstanding talent to write about one can only imagine who will be featured this week for the Bad Americans. Our story begins with my dear friend Eddie Bak that was unable to attend the performance of LAVA Rock. Working the graveyard shift on Friday, Bak offers me two free tickets "Sure, I'll go to Northbrook and check these guys out," I said to myself. I took the tickets, and was off to Nickel City.

Next to Nickel City was the Pavilion Restaurant & Event Center that featured this Led Zeppelin tribute band. But it goes deeper than that folks. Let's examine the acronym for a moment, shall we? Led Zepplin, Aerosmith Van Halen and AC/DC Okay? Are you with me so far? Good. Let's move on and get this show review finished. The first order of business was to hunt down the bass player for a quick meet and greet. "My Mom and Dad got me into Led Zeppelin, explained bassist John Sullivan. We talked a little about AC/DC his 1970 Fender P Bass and "Thunderstruck."  With over 15 years of  bass playing experience Sullivan once played the drums. It was a brief conversation over some Chicken Wings as Sullivan waited for his Veggie Burger. "Good luck tonight," I said.  It's always good business to set down with one of the band members just before the show starts and from that point, I could tell that LAVA Rock was a great bunch guys.

Ordering some more food and drink, the curtain rises slowly and "Rock-n-Roll"  kicked-off the night. Members for this five piece ensemble include: Kerry Devine (Vocals) Gino Buonomici & Gerald Guzman (Lead Guitarist) and drummer, Robert Behnke. "Good Times, Bad Times" and "What is and Should Never Be" offered a solid performance as LAVA Rock played all the Zepplin classics on this Friday Night in July.  Devine's stage presence wooed the crowd with "The Ocean" as fans chanted along with the lyrics. "A Whole Lotta Love" and a killer drum solo performed by Behnke gave this group the cutting edge as they rocked the Pavilion Event Center.

The hour was getting late and I had a train to catch that would take me back to Chicago. Should I miss that Midnight express back home,there would be five hour walk back to my Castle. So, after LAVA Rock's first set was complete, it was time to go home. If you're a Led Zeppelin fan I urge you to grab a ticket and find that Black Dog inside the corner of your mind. With bigger venues slowly fading away, we'll start seeing more and more tributes like LAVA Rock in the future.

One Way Street

                           

                         Club Belmont Family Fest Picnic 

Photo by: Yago Garcia. 14th Annual Family Picnic

Founding in 1922, Shriners Hospital for children has been a leading foundation battling diseases, disorders and poverty. Some folks might be familiar with Danny Thomas and his pledge to raise money for St. Jude's during the 1950's. With only $7.00 to his name, he placed the money in a church donation box and wondered how to cover the cost for the birth of his daughter. The power of prayer was answered and Thomas landed a small movie role that could pay 10 times the amount given to the church and the rest is history.
Club owner, John Kola is making history and has spearheaded a family fest that seeks donations that will provide education, research and better quality of life for children that are in need of medical care.
The mission for Shriner, Thomas and Kola has been implemented without regard to race, creed gender or disability. With a suggested $20.00 donation, children that have spinal cord injuries, cleft lip or a number orthopedic needs can receive the needed care with these contributions. At Club Belmont's picnic, everyone here was focused on the children with special needs and their families with love and hope in their hearts.

Scott Fricke

There was plenty of joy and happiness at Club Belmont's 14th annual family picnic this year. Pony rides, mini-golf and a Bouncy House where just some featured attractions for the kids. Adult activities included a Beer Truck, Barbecue, and live music performed by One Way Street. A bit of 70's Funk was played at Grove 10 in Schiller Woods on this hot and sunny afternoon. My notes are bit splotchy from the blood, sweat and beer form this social event.  However, cover songs from Off Broadway,  Megadeth and Offspring sounded pretty damn good. Other songs such as, "I Want You To Want Me" (Cheap Trick) "Possum Kingdom" (Toadies) and "Cumbersome" (Seven Mary Three) had everyone dancing and toe-tapping to shady summer beats.  Members of One Way Street include: Scott Fricke (Lead Vocals) Mark Cutro, Tom O'Connor (Lead Guitarist) Tony Galati (Bass) and Fred Braun (Drums). Oh, I almost failed to mention Kayla Fricke offering up lead/back-up vocals to this groups powerful performance.

One Way Street

In conclusion, it was good to see some old friends such as Will, Bernie Stalans and Yago Garcia. Members from High Alert showed up in support for Shriner's Hospital and the good will it brings to the lives of others in need. The greatest gift of all is a child's love. They make you feel taller, smarter, and your eyes brighter with hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
My point in this article is all about helping each other. Sure, Beer Trucks and live music is good, but when we work for the greater glory of God, all things are possible.

High Alert.

                             Summer Fest Review at Joe E's in Chicago.

Okay. This horrible  rain needs to stop. Music lovers are having trouble relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors for the last three weeks with a soggy outcome.  I was drinking with Eddie Bak, when High Alert made the executive decision to relocate their band equipment from the beer garden to the small inside stage at Joe E's in Chicago, IL. As you may know, a little rain is no match for Heavy Metal Thunder and High Alert is living proof that the show must go on at all cost!

Mike Gaynor

There have been a few line-up changes during the winter months for High Alert, replacing lead vocalist, Vic Ryan with Mike Gaynor. and former bassist Raf Winterpacht with Will Heart.   Performing with Know Time 4 Pain, Gaynor thirst for Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest continued. Ultimately, hitting the high notes and covering some of the best music ever created is no easy feat in this arena. There is no room on stage for being second best and in Chicago we're all reaching for top spot to play.  However, Gaynor delivers the goods with a strong stage presence during each and every song.  

Will Heart & James Nobel

Next, we have new bassist Will Heart. Devils & Angels was short lived for Heart, and he mentioned "Sweet Leaf"  as awesome tune to play. "Another cool song is "Fairies Wear Boots," explains Heart.There are some challenges with the lead part for that song and it's always fun to play Geezer Butler stuff," he adds to say. Traveling all the way from Rockford, Heart has indeed earned himself a seat at the table for the Noble Order of Metal Bass Players. Other Members include, Brian Joseph Vinezeano, James Nobel (lead guitarist) and drummer Andrew Schreiner. It was time to rock the house on this small intimate stage. Drinks flowed heavy by two outstanding bartenders Erika & Danielle as the show kicked-off with Priest classic titled: "Electric Eye" The eye of the storm was fierce that Saturday night at Joe E's. Yet  Gaynor's showmanship was right on point and kept the crowd eager for more Metal. James Noble was holding his own position, offering some powerful back-up vocals to songs such as "Your Fucking Nightmare" and that well known Avenged Sevenfold classic, "Buried Alive."  

High Alert

On the surface High Alert may fit some social drawbacks and Heavy Metal stereotypes. In truth, This group has struggled building this five piece foudation. However, They are not looking back, and hopes for brighter future with a new line-up this summer. All things considered, there is a good chance that we'll be seeing more High Alert in the years to come. In due time, bigger and better shows will come for these guys. It's up to you to take action and spread the word and check out High Alert at their next show. Until then, Stay Metal!!