A Thug Life Christmas Poem

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the Hood.
Everybody was buzzing, Everybody felt good.
So we hung our stockings on the chimney with care, 
hoping that the dope man would soon be near.
All of a sudden, we heard a knock at the door.
Someone yell Narc! And we all hit the floor
So I jumped out a window and ran for my life
I yelled at the coppers, "Kiss my ass and have a good night!"

Judas Rising & Maiden Chicago Show Review.

                          The Soul of a Man's Birthday Bash.
                                  Happy Birthday Harold!

Fireproof, passionate and dangerous are just few words to describe the soul of my life-long friend Harold Thurber.Always calm, consistent and filled with a powerful fire that will warm anyone's heart with joy and laughter. Not everyone believes this, of course, and those who doubt me, are without wisdom. It is no accident that Harold has many friends and in private conversation, he'll tell you how he really thinks. With that in mind, we wish Harold a happy 47 years on this Earth.

Judas Rising 

Without delay, it was time to celebrate this birthday bash at Nighcaps  with two very powerful Metal acts, Judas Rising & Maiden Chicago. Frontman, Joe Martina kicked-off the night with all the classic Judas Priest songs such as "Jaw Breaker" and "Breaking The Law."  Packed with a solid a punch, other members include: Neven Trifunovich and  Briant Daniel (Lead Guitars) Kevin Cobleigh (Bass) and Scott Davidson (Drums).  The crowd was fierce at Nightcaps, wanting more heavy metal thunder!

Lead Vocalist, Bill Swanson. Maiden Chicago

Next, Maiden Chicago took the stage and launched their set with a brand new Iron Maiden Song. The room darkens, the sound flares and "If Eternity Should Fail" captivated this audience with an outstanding introduction. Lead vocalist, Bill Swanson is a true showman and can still hit those high octave notes each and every time. Steady galloping bass lines from Gary Ingram, two dueling guitarists Al Contreras & Mike Z and drummer Dan Driskill make up the rest of this five piece foundation. Other songs such as "Wasted Years," "Powerslave" and  "The Trooper" had most of these spectators thrashing and banging their heads, hungry for more Maiden! The time had come to conjure the Jester with one more song "Run To Hills."  This was indeed a good birthday celebration, filled with friends, food and more fun on this Saturday night.

Generally speaking, the night was full of amazing energy with incredible people. Judas Rising and Maiden Chicago gave folks that fatal mix of Metal with ringing in their ears from the amplifiers. But not for too long. The aftershock slowly wore off, and soon I found myself sitting at the computer writing up this review. As a result of all this madness, I will honestly say this has been the best live performance in 2015. Until then, UP THE IRONS!!

Art Essay on Mertz & Sebanc

                              Rewarding Beauty In The Big Onion

54 Common Bricks

There is no mistake that Chicago has countless nicknames, and The Big Onion is one of them. Now in the land of journalism, reporters are trained to peel back the onion of truth. In this essay, the central idea is to compare and contrast two artists living or dead and explain their compositions, uncovering a deeper meaning.  Artists are everywhere. They are a Legion, soon to be erased by the sands of time just like the rest of society. Perhaps that is way Nancie King Mertz and Robert Sebanc practice their craft, knowing that life is very short and that creating something is the most powerful and deliberate act that a human being can achieve.

Nevertheless, all things begin with a dream and the key to one’s imagination can unlock many doors.  One door was opened on October 9, 2015 at the Locallective Gallery that displayed Robert Sebanc’s work titled: “Scoundrel.” Against a 72in x 72in charcoal black backdrop, several folks playing cards, a woman wearing a dark red dress and a small child sits in her lap. But before we go more into detail about this oil and pigment canvas let’s review Sebanc’s credentials as both artist and visionary.

 In “Liquor, Sausage, And Lies About Her Future,” a solo exhibition featuring Sebanc at the Locallective Gallery in Chicago, IL most of the works are dark in composition. For example, “It Might Just Be A Window” invokes some metric patterns, as the eye draws closer to the three small red dots on this piece. “The Boys” and “54 Bricks” are just few a captivating works, some using oil and pigment on canvass.     Born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and now teaching as an Art Professor at Wright College, Sebanc began his career as an artist. He is best known for his works at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Itri, located in Latina, Italy, along with countless contributions to various art galleries national and internationally. Holding a B.F.A and M.A.A.E from The Art Institute of Chicago and his MFA from the Lesley University College of Art and Design (Cambridge, MA) (Bio) Above all, there is no method nor inspiration to Sebanc’s artistic madness and during our interview he stated, “I don’t know if I was captivated at any one point, however my earliest memories (Sic) of doing art in some form or another. Growing up our house was a creative place to be, there were art supplies on hand at all times and my mother encouraged a creative environment.”

By the same token, “Scoundrel” touches on those emotions and family values that resembles a basement of a Chicago Bungalow. For a moment, I entered a daydream sequence, thinking about my grandmother’s house and sitting on my mother’s lap as a young boy. Card games such as Rummy and Bullshit were played with my aunts and uncles as they jibber-jabbered about work and politics in this blue-collar setting. Ah yes. The good old days when gas was .75 cents a gallon and when candy bars cost a quarter. But that was many years ago and today the value of life is more important with the moral principles as its true currency.  I awake from my daydream and say my goodbyes to Alexandra Wright (Director of operations) and to Mr. Sebanc.  

Lazy Sunday

Subsequently, Nancie King Mertz was gracious enough to open the second door, inviting me into her Gallery full of Chicago style paintings. It is always good etiquette to contact someone by phone and make an appointment before you show up unannounced. That is just down right rude, and very unprofessional. Anyway, the day was quite pleasant for being the first day in November. The sun was bright, excellent weather compared to that crappy Halloween yesterday. Boarding the 78 Montrose bus, child strollers and grocery carts clutter the passage way as folks hustle and bustle on and off the crowded transport unit.  I arrive at the Art De Triumph, introduce myself and walk around.

“Lazy Sunday” captures my attention first. This 24 x 28 pastel is a very masculine panting using a pure pigment with no oil stick form. The orange rusty color of the “L” train dominates this pictures that may in fact be Clark & Lake Streets. A blueish gray sky appears in the right-hand-corner and the eye is drawn toward the street with a taxi cab waited for a fare. “I took some photos of that area on a Sunday,” explained Mrs. Mertz. Ordinarily it is very congested, she adds to say.  Nancie King Mertz was born and raised in Central Illinois, where she began painting and selling her work. (Bio) Studying art and receiving her B.A. from the University of Illinois and obtaining a master’s degree in painting from Eastern Illinois University, Mertz is not looking back. In fact, this year she has traveled to nine states to paint on site for the Arizona to Albuquerque Exhibition that was featured in June of 2015.

Mertz’s professional affiliations include: Pastel Society of America, Oil Painters of America and the Philanthropic Council Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, just to name a few. No stranger to an abundance of accolades, Mertz has received Best in Show, (CPP), Award of Merit 2014-2015 (IAPS) and took home 5^th place for the Bill Creevy Award in 2015.

“Lazy Sunday” is yet another award winning masterpiece, earning 5^th place in the Joe Hing Lowe Memorial this year. The saturation of colors are warm and bright. Red brick buildings, silver skyscrapers and pale blue sky are wonderfully illustrated, as two pedestrians stroll pass two locked bicycles. You may ask yourself, “How does he know that these bikes are chained down? Well, as beautiful as Chicago may be, crime is yet another key factor. And if you are native to the concrete jungle, you will soon learn that if things are not locked or bolted down, some cowardly whore-beast on crack will steal your shit faster than a New York minute. That is 45 seconds to those who reside in The Jewel of the Midwest and should you approach these mean streets, use extreme caution when walking down them at night. Ah, but never mind that if you have a conceal and carry permit. The appetite for a Chicago lead salad is not a fine cuisine by anyone’s standards.

In this final analysis, both works by Sebanc and Mertz have captured my imagination. I have relinquished myself to their creations and absorbed the natural talents. The Universe has granted them a gift and my soul has been filled with joy. 

Garbage

                                   Adoring Garbage at the Rivera. 
         Studio Cats, Security Rats & Sonic Defiance of Gothic Punk.





The Stratospheric rise to the top has been a long journey through the dark alleys of pain and hopelessness for Trip Hop Alternative Rock group, Garbage. What began as joke, soon would become reality at Smart Studios as music producer, Bryan David Vig (a.k.a.Butch Vig) had laid-down some experimental music tracks that lacked potential. With that in mind, Vig and his colleagues decided to name their group, Garbage. Before all that, Vig performed with Fire Town and later produced some tracks for Kill Dozer and TAD that lead to a passageway into the incinerator of fame. Heavy Metal had made a strong comeback, with bands such as Skid Row and Korn and Vig's musical career was looking grim. The world of Doc Martens and the flannel-clad of 90's Grunge music was about to become the Genesis of a new era. A 23-year old song writer, Kurt Cobain came knocking on the Smart Studio Doors in 1990 to produce an album that would single-handedly  launch the Grunge movement.

Shirley Manson

In the meantime, Shirley Manson had a brief love affair with  her boyfriend's band Good Bye Mr. McKenzie. and later joined a part time spotlight with Angelfish. Butch Vig was already known as "The Godfather of Grunge"  producing for heavy hitters such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and U2.  The time was now right to form Garbage with two other studio cats named Duke Erikson and Steve Marker. Exhausted from the Grunge monster they helped to create and watching MTV at a time when music videos were actually played on television. Lead guitarist, Steve Marker made a triumphant discovery, and knew that Shirley Manson would be hotter than a pistol for their new group, Garbage.
Making some calls, and flying Manson to the Midwest from her hometown Edinburgh, Scotland, Angelfish was cutted, gutted and fed to the rats, only to be consumed by this musical vortex.

In 1995, Garbage released their self titled debut that featured "Only Happy When It Rains" an obscure melody  that welcomes pain and misery. In an interview with Addicted to Noise, Marker stated, "It's really just us poking fun of ourselves. We're poking fun at the alteratroc angst, wearing your heart on your sleeve thing and at ourselves for writing such dark songs," he adds.  Other essential songs from Garbage include, Stupid Girl, Push It and I Think I'm Paranoid offer a range of Sci-Fi Pop due to the technical aspect of these musical productions. Gamers can enjoy  "Not Your Kind Of People" as players suit up for battle in Metal Gear Solid 5.   Fueling a wrath of dominance, Garbage recorded the theme song for the 1999 James Bond Movie "The World Is Not Enough" and has now sold over 17 millions copies worldwide during their career.

Armed with an arsenal of flashy dance beats, slick and polished guitar riffs and that bubblegum sound that fans adore, Garbage has returned to Chicago for their 20 Years Queer Tour. Members include: Shirley Manson (Lead Vocals) Steve Marker (Guitars) Duke Erikson (Guitars/Keyboards) and Butch Vig (Drums). Unlike these studio cats who have made a substantial impact on a sub-culture, one must be vaguely careful when discussing the nature of  business about the security rats that littered the Rivera. Most fans do not like being treated like small children and reprimanded  where to stand in this packed sold out venue. No sir, they are all adults that paid good money to see their super heroes at work and no Garbage fan should be bullied by the hired help! The lack of respect and Gestapo tactics will be addressed at another time in another publication. But never mind that. Let's get back on track to the tenacious sounds of Garbage. 

Duke Erikson

A white stage curtain flashed images during the shows introduction as spectators eagerly awaited more. Opening up their set with "Subhuman" this space age sound is accompanied with zany keyboards and heavy bottom bass grooves. Still unable to see Garbage behind what looks like a white bed sheet, a silhouette of performers and cheap strobe light effects to create more intensity. Finally, the shroud of illusion is revealed and the powerful stage lights draw you into a dynamic sense of feeling behind every note. "Girl Don't Come" is another song with that dirty grungy upbeat tempo we all know and love. This hard driven song had their fans hungry for more sonic assault as Manson sang the lyrics giving no sympathy to the foolish heart. During the middle of Garbage's set, Manson reached out to her fans and said, "Music comes in, fills you up and you fall in love."  The scarlet lights glow on stage and more fist-pumping tunes such as "You'll Never Get To Heaven"  played throughout the night at the Rivera.

Garbage 

Under those  circumstances, Garbage performed well that night,using a phenomenal light show and drop dead collaboration of music, power and raw emotions. Despite the venue's lack of planning and making the necessary provision for a sold out crowd, this was a concert worth attending. Again, Garbage fans do not need to be corralled like cattle, and placing  safety barriers throughout the venue would have been a better choice for club owner, Jerry Mickelson.  It's hard to have a good time when some rent-a-cop is demanding that you move, and there is no place to stand. Comparatively, most theaters in Chicago are familiar dealing with crowd control, allowing folks to enjoy a show with safety and comfort. However, the Rivera lacks a better understanding of maintaining a secure area without the hassle. With that said, more audiences can enjoy their concert experience and not worry about being tossed out into the street like Garbage for not obeying the rules. That is not cool by any standards and this type of abuse needs to end. A rat will do anything to survive and can suck the fun right out of your soul. Do not allow this to happen. Remember, the night belongs to you and not the Third Reich of justice. Until then, have fun and be safe!

Iron Maiden: The Book of Souls Review.

                                  A Book of Souls Inside a Wicked World


                                        The Writer Is The Engineer Of the Human Soul
                                                                                              -Joseph Stalin

Illustration by: Derek Riggs

There are  only a few of my constituents that know more about Heavy Metal music and, less that are more familiar with Iron Maiden.  Bill Swanson (Maiden Chicago) and Dane McCartney (Judas Beast) are perhaps two men that are on the same page as myself when the music roars for the Beast. But I will give the Devil no partisan support for His seven deadly sins, Let's keep that perfectly clear, because a time will come when you will have to face your inner demon, and cry out God's name to be saved from a living Hell. I should know. I've been there, and it's that fear that will keep the strongest of men humble.

In an advertising new age full of thieves, pimps and cell phone junkies, the sin of being a subnormal idol-servant will kill you faster than a speeding truck. The real challenge is to ride out this vicious storm of life and  embrace the music of Iron Maiden. Five years is a long time to wait for any recording artist no matter who is on tour. With Iron Maiden, "The Book of Souls"  has been the longest wait time between albums. Other releases such as "Powerslave" and "Seventh Son of the Seventh Son" offered galloping guitar riffs, along with superior lyrics. However, "The Book Of Souls" offers much more!

Lead Vocalist: Bruce Dickinson

At first, the listener is captivated  to a sound of darkness in Iron Maiden's first track titled: "If Eternity Should Fail." Each note evolves from a murky sludge of musical notes, to a higher evolution of existence. The lyrics have you locked into a transitional phase of wonder inferring to the soul of a man. Wow! This is what great song writing is all about. Next, the tempo picks-up a sequence of master storytelling and emotional lust. To obtain a better understanding of the human soul, one must study the works of  Dr. Duncan MacDougal. During the early 1900's at the Cullis Consumptive Home, Tuberculosis patients were weighed after they had passed away. Conclusive research showed that a human soul can be measured at approximately 21 grams. But let's move on, and skip the story of  Necropolis.

As many Iron Maiden fans may or may not know, Greek Mythology and famous novels have been the Genesis for creating such awesome songs such as "Flight of Icarus" and "Where Eagles Dare." There are now 140 songs totaling Iron Maiden's repertoire, and each opening riff shares a powerful message worthy of critical thinking.  For example, "Still Life" is the tale of Narcissus, a Greek God of mythology that was proud of his beauty. Prepossessing to a pool and unable to leave his own reflection, Narcissus drowned. "The Book of Souls" builds on that heritage and members for this sixteenth release include: Bruce Dickinson (Lead Vocals) Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers (Lead Guitars) Steve Harris (Bass) and Nicko McBrain (Drums). Each of them have brilliantly engineered 92 minutes of pure Heavy Metal, making this their longest studio release with double disc adding to the legacy of madness.

Iron Maiden

With this in mind, we can examine Iron Maiden's second track titled: "Speed of Light" and music video concept. Traveling through a wormhole of 8, 16 and 32 bit gaming systems, Iron Maiden explores the last four decades looking back, drawing inspiration as Eddie moves into the future of different worlds. Indeed. There are many pleasing tracks to enjoy, yet "Tears of a Clown" commemorates the tragic suicide of the late comedian/ actor, Robbin Williams. Without the universal truth of food, shelter or love the pain is that Demon I mentioned earlier in this review. Handling adversity is how God shall place value on the human spirit, A soldier in God's Army is a heavy price for the mortal man, and no one said this will be an easy task to become a Trooper. History is another priceless commodity that can teach us that each day is a gift from a higher power in the universe.  "Empire of the Clouds" is the last track for "The Book Of Souls" and features Dickinson's piano skills. A glimpse into the past, the listener learns about Lord Thomson Airship, R101 that crashed into a water tower in France, killing forty-six passengers on a silver ghost of despair. Perhaps Samvel Yervinyan was playing the violin in this 18 minute somber melody. Fans my never know the answer to that, and many other questions about Iron Maiden.   Significantly, "The Book of Souls" will go down in the Heavy Metal archives as a powerful production and will be enjoyed for the years to come.  

At more than 90 minutes, it’s the lengthiest project Iron Maiden have ever attempted, and it concludes with the longest single track they’ve ever released. Still, The Book of Souls was largely created in the studio, and a sense of visceral engagement runs through the album. They experiment with non-standard tuning in “If Eternity Should Fail”; with free-form jamming during a striking solo segment featuring Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers on “The Red and the Black”; with melancholy ruminations on “Tears of a Clown”; and with a elegiac piano figure in the concluding “Empire of the Clouds.”

Read More: Iron Maiden, 'The Book of Souls': Album Review | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/iron-maiden-book-of-souls-review/?trackback=tsmclip

At more than 90 minutes, it’s the lengthiest project Iron Maiden have ever attempted, and it concludes with the longest single track they’ve ever released. Still, The Book of Souls was largely created in the studio, and a sense of visceral engagement runs through the album. They experiment with non-standard tuning in “If Eternity Should Fail”; with free-form jamming during a striking solo segment featuring Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers on “The Red and the Black”; with melancholy ruminations on “Tears of a Clown”; and with a elegiac piano figure in the concluding “Empire of the Clouds.”

Read More: Iron Maiden, 'The Book of Souls': Album Review | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/iron-maiden-book-of-souls-review/?trackback=tsmclip

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!