Maiden American

Fabricating The Apocalyptic Army of Iron Maiden.

Millions of fans across the globe will testify that Iron Maiden is one of the greatest live bands of all time. Superior lyrics, galloping guitar riffs and excellent stage presence has given them that hard edge appeal for well over 30 years. Formed on Christmas Day in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, he left his previous group, Smiler and assembled a weapon of Metal destruction more powerful then one thousand FV-101 British Scorpion tanks combined. Harris had been influenced by  novelist  Alexandre Dumas, author of The Man in The Iron Mask, which had a verbal connection to the mid-evil torture device and "the name" Iron Maiden was created. The British heavy metal band also incorporated their famous mascot, "Eddie" from the brilliant mind of Derick Riggs thus producing thirty-six albums and selling  over 85 million records world wide.

So, what has this got to with America, you ask? The unemployment rate in the United States has remained unchanged, and is close to 8.0%, as  reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And with the blue collar working class struggling to make ends meet, folks just do not have $150.00 of happy money laying around  just to purchase an Iron Maiden concert ticket these days. In fact, more and more fans are supporting their local cover bands and enjoying a nice evening listing to the next best thing for a third the cost with beer money to spare.

From the golden coast of California with The Iron Maidens to the salty Atlantic shores  featuring Maiden New York, Iron Maiden tribute bands have infiltrated our great nation and are battling the war on poverty. Cover charges are less than twenty bucks, and Maiden fans have less travel time to see the show at their local pub. Furthermore, one might drive to the foothills of Maiden, North Carolina that is nestled away in small southern town to cure that fever for more cow bell.

Maiden Chicago had embarked on a long and prosperous journey after auditioning lead frontman Bill Swanson in late February of 2011. Beginning as the lead singer for a B-52's cover band that later, transformed into Revelations, knew what Metal fans wanted. During my interview back in 1999, Swanson stated, " Devo didn't work out and nobody came to that show. So, we figured Iron Maiden was where it was at." He relaxed with what may have been an adult beverage and talked casually about the changing times and finding the right men for the job.

Revelations soon dissolved after four years of local clubbing and like most groups, they are here today, and gone next week. Eric Babcock (lead guitarist) had set a new foundation for Maiden Chicago. Gathering the right soldiers and later joining forces with former bassist of Revelations, Gary Ingram. Eric had co-founded this project and recruited some new members back in September, 2010. After building a dynamic website for their fan base and playing out for two years, it was time for something more challenging both musically and professionally.  "We left on good terms and Eric is now performing with Damage Justice, explaines Ingram. The band owes Eric a lot of credit for his contributions. He's the real deal, the whole nine yards and we thank him for that. Al Contreras (lead guitar) was in the Metal Years and Powerslave and it seemed like a good fit, we knew that he was ready to make a commitment with Maiden Chicago."  Other members include, Bill Swanson ( lead vocals), Ralph Circelli (lead guitar) and drummer, Dan  Driskill.

Maiden Chicago offers a strong live performance with dueling guitars and powerful frontman. Smoke and lights illuminate the stage as "Chicago Eddie" lurks on stage. The drums and bass complement each other well as they play the Iron Maiden classics such as, Number of the Beast, Flight of Icarus and The Trooper. If you're hungry for Maiden and want Piece of Mind while not spending a Pharaoh's ransom, you'll agree that Maiden Chicago is one tough act to follow.

The music of Iron Maiden has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a 1997 Freightliner is indeed a modern day Powerslave. The rich live in chains of Gold and the rest of us live in chains of Iron. Give me Maiden or give me Death!

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How to Find a Job and Keep It!

As a job-seeker, one must put themselves into a unique selling postion. Pitching your work skills and  educational background is key in this cut-throat market. Having a solid resume with  3 to 10 year job history and communicating your stong points should be thought out carefully before sending it to job prospects.  Spelling, punctuation, and styling layout should be proofread  by a family member or someone you know that has half a brain. A good resume will be straight forward, clearly persented on a clean sheet of paper and  should include a list of folks that will give you a desirable recommendation. Teachers, college professors and former employers will gladly write a letter if you ask them to.

Here are five tips for landing a successful job this year.

1.  Ask friends and relatives if they know of any job openings.

2. Local newspapers such as The Reader and Job Finder.

3. State Employment services are free of charge. However, register in person before 9:30 am (that's when the lines are forming and people keep piling inside the facility.)

4. Craigslist. There are 1000's of jobs listed. Get a phone number and set-up an interview.

5. The Yellow Pages. Look under headings associated with your profession or job intrest.  Restaurants, hotels and hundreds of other businesses are listed and are always hiring.

Skills and hobbies could turn into some extra income without a four year college degree.  Working on fast powerful engines could earn you up to $900.00 a week if you have the right training. 
China is now in it's economic crisis and the jobs are coming back to the United States. If you knock on enough doors, one will open and make you gainfully employed once again.

Dangerous Roads Ahead

Slow down. The life you save may be your own!


There are many dangerous challenges a professional driver must adapt during a 10 hour shift of slick, icy roads or poor visibility. In fact, the Department of Transportion estimates that 500,000 truck accidents each year and that one person is killed or injured every 16 minutes in The United States.

The good news is that commercial drivers are only involved in 2.4% of all traffic accidents and more then 75% of all collisions are caused by passenger vehicles.  Furthermore, studies showed that 16% of all truck drivers made no provisions for safe driving and were at fault.  Federal safety rules require a driver to slow down and use extreme caution under harsh weather conditions.


Winter driving should be approached strategically. Be sure to increase your following distance on slippery roads and look for black ice.  When the air is warmer then the pavement, it causes moisture to quickly form. The fuel vapors leave oily patches that freeze and you will notice dark or dull appearances to the pavement.  Bridges, tunnels and overpasses are at high risk for black ice and make sure your tires are in good condition and provide substantial traction. You do not want to be caught off guard in this dangerous situation and avoid any sudden breaking or acceleration on slick and icy roads. This action may cause you to loose control of your vehicle by jackknifing or skidding off the road into a ditch.

Road construction is another hazard that you must face.  Always be alert and prepared stop.
There is no need to race though a work zone at 70 mph and kill someone.  Apply some common sense while driving and scan ahead for pedestrians and road repair equipment. If you are traveling under 35 mph along an interstate, use you four-way emergency flashers.  This will warn other drivers that trouble is just ahead and for them to slow down.

In order to be a professional, you must think like one at all times. Share the road and do not drive like an ass-hole. The cops will give you a ticket and sooner or later you sorry ass will be taking the bus to work.
Until then, have fun and drive safe.

MISSTALLICA

 Seeking & Destroying Chicago

The underground world of Heavy Metal has changed our sub-culture environment, and our way of life as we know it. MISSTALLICA has now jointed the ranks of this elite force of "Thrash-Masters" as an all-female tribute band from the mean streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  "We meet doing music lessons for inner city kids," explained frontperson, Gina Gleason. Other members include Leann Martz (lead guitarist), Kaleen Reading, (drummer ) and Teddi Tamoff (bassist).  In 2008, MISSTALLICA took the stage by covering the first four albums by the original METALLICA.  Kill Em' All,  Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets and Justice For All are well rehearsed and played to perfection.

MISSTALLICA offers fiendish dual guitar riffs, a solid double bass drummer and a powerful vocalist with a wicked range of energy.  During their sold out performance in Chicago, MISSTALLICA ruled the midnight air that evening and had the crowed begging for more. "Blackened was the hardest song  for all of us to learn play," said Martz. Leann also mentioned that she had been slamming chords for as long as she can remember and loves Heavy Metal music.  Opening that night was Heaven & Hell, and I'll honestly say  that any other tribute bands would have been twisted and smashed like an Old Style beer can and tossed in the trash in this  feeding frenzy of freaks and Misfits.

MISSTALLICA has managed to book tour dates across the country and, what the hell, who has $100  to see the real Metallica anyway?  Shit, there's a Goddamn recession and folks do not have that kind of happy money these days.  So, with that in mind, I strongly recommend that you support MISSTALLICA and boycott METALLICA. Remember, Nothing Else Matters but selling out just to buy a 14k gold toilet and  feed shit to their fans.  Until then, stay METAL!!!

The Iron Maidens

Up The Irons for Metal’s only female tribute band to Iron Maiden!

Love is a razor and I walked the line on that silver blade
Slept in the dust with his daughter, her eyes red with
The slaughter of innocence
And I will pray for her.
I will call her name out loud.
I would bleed for her.
If I could only see her now.
                    -Iron Maiden






It was in 2001, when these metal chicks form southern California wanted to break down the walls of madness and put an end to all the bullshit stereotypes, that girls cannot rock.  Well folks, that is a bold face lie! Rock City News, The L.A. Music Awards and The All Access Magazine will testify with that statement, and will back me up when I say that these female rockers have Balls, Attitude and Direction when it comes to playing Iron Maiden cover songs for their fans.

Members of this elite force include, Kirsten Rosenberg (a.k.a. “Bruce Chicinson”) lead vocals, Wanda Ortiz (a.k.a. Steph Harris) Bassist, Linda McDonald a.k.a. (Nikki Mc BURRain) drummer and Courtney Cox (a.k.a. Adriana Smith) Nita Strauss (a.k.a. Mega Murray) lead guitarist.  There is no shortage of raw talent and the concept was to have an all female act that wanted to play Maiden.  During an interview with Sarah Joelle, Rosenberg said, “ In a time when the music scene was lacking and live shows where sucking heavy, there wasn’t very many places to see a good band.  People wanted to have a good time, so the whole tribute thing stared happening.” What Kirsten Rosenberg is saying, it was time for something other then AC/DC and time to cover Iron Maiden.

Many wild and exciting years have whirled through the lives of these beautiful girls and on February 23, 2008 at the Hard Rock Café in Mexico City.  These hard hitting rockers had a chance to impersonate the greatness of Iron Maiden. On the bill that night was Six Hour Sundown with British vocalist, Laura Harris. She is the daughter of Iron Maiden bassist and founding member, Steve Harris. Inside the live audience, were Bruce Dickenson and Laura’s father to see the show. On another note, Derick Riggs (Iron Maiden’s band illustrator) offered his talents and helped out The Iron Maidens with their mascot named Edwina. Riggs came up with the idea of a zombie-like Parris Hilton and created this whore-beast that can devour a small boy or an eight-pack of Guinness in one gulp.

If you enjoy Aces High, The Trooper or Number of the Beast. Then you will fall in love with The Iron Maidens.  Lets face it- we need more Rock-n-Roll girls to cover some of the greatest bands of all time. Beside, who in their right mind would want to pay a ten dollar cover charge to see a bunch of old fat guys in spandex playing Led Zeppelin or U.F.O in the first place?  Not me, Hamilton! I'll go check out The Iron Maidens and be their groupie anytime. Until then, I remain, The Evil Genius!

Entering the crossroads of Heaven & Hell

 Chicago Metal and continuing a legacy. 

Photo Credit: FOTOFEVER.COM

 

It was an accident when Toni Iommi had his fingertips cut off while working a punch press at a steel mill in Birmingham, England and created that Heavy Metal thunder we all know and love so well. To keep it short and simple, Ozzy was fired and Ronnie James Dio was the new front man for Black Sabbath and later changed their name to Heaven & Hell to avoid any confusion to concertgoers on who they were paying to see. Not before Heaven & Hell (a local Chicago tribute band) took the stage, and claimed the name rocking small venues in the midwest.

Photo Credit: Jessica Huffer

It has been a strange and brutally hot summer this year. I have been in the grip of Agony driving cross-country in 2010 Freightliner without an air conditioner, sweating like a whore in church along our nation's bible belt alone on Interstate 40. The dry scorching heat almost killed me, and now I was at my breaking point. "This is bullshit,"  I said to myself.  It's time to get your ass back home and enjoy some time off. It's time to bring this wagon back to the yard, get drunk off Guinness and dance naked to the feverish beats of Black Sabbath. Never mind that. Let’s talk about Heaven & Hell and one crazy Afternoon in Chicago.

That’s right folks, They had the name: Heaven & Hell first and in this world, money talks and lawyers walk right into court and get rich off your misery. So, without a big legal battle our Chicago Metal band lurks in the shadows and do what they do best. That is, playing live raw material from Ronnie James Dio and honor one the Grandfathers of Heavy Metal. “ It was pure love for the music.” explains Michael Posch, lead guitarist.  Other members include Warren Halvarson lead vocals, Jason Ward, Bass, and Scott Davidson, drums.  During this interview, Halvarson and Posh stated that “WISHING WELL” and “FALLING OFF THE EDGE OF THE WORLD”  were hard songs to master.  What they are trying to say is… if you want to get to Carnegie Hall, you need to practice.

Their set list was great as they played MOB RULES, FAIRIES WEAR BOOTS, and of course, HEAVEN & HELL. One can feel the energy they poured out in each song as they cranked out all the old classics at  Gary Olson's Birthday Bash, with special Guests Rival and High Alert. The best thing that afternoon was the crowd and all the excitement in the summer breeze. One beer truck, three great bands and 100's Metal fans at Bunker Hill Woods is what  Chicagoans will remember in 2012.  

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Injustice

Nazi Storm Troopers Raid Gibson Guitar Headquarters
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out-
because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out- because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade union and I did not speak out because I was not in the Union. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
                                                        -Pastor Niemoller
                                                   (Victim of the Nazi Party)



Freedom was yesterday in this great nation and today we have been brainwashed to nark on our friends and family just to stay out of prison and forced not to eat jail beans and green bologna for dinner.   Bring plenty of hard cold cash once you grab the Alpha Wolf by its teeth and go into the United States legal system. Our judicial system is blind. The more money you have, the blinder it becomes. It will be a financial disaster of hellish proportions and will scar your mind forever. Remember, you are less then dog shit to the federal government. Please do not lock me up officer. I’ll be a good citizen.
I am guilty. I will be subservient. Have mercy on my pathetic soul.

Just ask Henry E. Juszkiewicz, CEO and co-owner of Gibson Guitars located in Nashville, Tennessee facing his second raid by Nazi law enforcement. On August 24, 2011 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service came in without warning and seized over $500,000 of ebony planks, high-end rosewood guitars and computer hard drives. During a press conference Juszkiewicz stated,  that the government is abusing its power and accuses the Obama administration of selective targeting.  “It was a nightmare, Mr. Juszkiewicz explained.  We had over 20 armed men descend upon three factories in Arkansas, Montana, and our Corporate Headquarters in Tennessee. They [Obama’s Justice Department] evacuated unarmed employees at gun point and put them on the streets and parking lots.”  He also mentioned a law that was passed regarding anyone who transports a musical instrument across borders, would need to know the specifications of every piece of wood and where it was acquired. If you own rosewood from the rain forest, you will go to jail and your guitar will be confiscated as illegal contraband.

For the past 17 years, Gibson Guitars has been in compliance with authorized permits, purchasing ebony and rosewood. Madagascar’s government authorized controlled harvesting of timber, as part of cleanup initiatives following typically devastating monsoon season. Gibson is a well-respected,  all-American company that employs 1200 workers in the United States. If Big Brother can abuse and bully a guitar manufacturer, then just imagine what "They" can do to you and your family.

It’s a liverish fragment of discernment to lay on our freedom loving musicians. However, we are all criminals in this country. Whether you smoke cigarettes, marijuana or play the guitar. You are guilty!