steel notes magazine may 2016

Copyright Steel Notes Magazine 2016

MAY 2016P6 BRODIANS BANTER

P8 INTERVIEW W/LISA Y. WU BY BRANDON JONES

P12 INTERVIEW W/RICK BOZART BY BRANDON JONES

P16 DIANA ROSS AT SANDS EVENT CENTER BY JR PETERSON

P18 WHY WE MUST BOYCOTT THE VOTE BY GUIDO COLACCI

P22 OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN PICTORIAL BOB KLEIN

P28 STEEL NOTES INVADES THE REW & WHO SHOW PICTORIAL

P40 IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM, PART 1 BY ALEXXIS STEELE

P42 ARTIST OF THE MONTH AMY MARTINEZ BY THE GYPSY POET

P48 THE ARTIST FORMALLY KNOWN AS PRINCY BY FOXXY ROXXY

P50 JEWEL-SANDS EVENT CENTER REVIEW BY ALEXXIS STEELE AND MICK REYNOLDS

P56 JD AND THE STRAIGHT SHOT REVIEW BY ALEXXIS STEELE AND MICK REYNOLDS

P63 CHILLER THEATRE EXPO PICTORIAL

THE INTERNATIONAL CORNER

P84 THE GROUCH SAYS MUSIC REVIEW: BACKROOM BLUES VOL. 1

P88 THE GROUCH SAYS MUSIC REVIEW: OUT OF THE GARAGE VOL. 1

P92 LUCA CERARDI INTERVIEW WITH GREG IZOR

P96 ALESSIA BASTIANELLI-THE CHARM OF MISTAKES

P98 POETRY BY THE LOWER EAST SIDE BY YVONNE SOTOMAYOR

2 | Steel Notes Magazine steelnotesmagazine.com

P106 JOHNNYS JUNCTION-YOU DROPPED THE BOMB ON ME

P108 THE ROBBY KRIEGER BAND BY DAWN BELOTTI

P112 THE LAST GENTLEMAN SMUGGLER-NIKKI PALOMINO & STEVEN M. KALISH

P114 COLICCHIOS CORNER

P123 SAVE THE HIPPIES-EXCLUSIVE STEEL NOTES MAGAZINE CARTOON

P126 MARLOWE B. WEST TAKEZ MANHATTAN-INTERVIEW W/PAUL ANTHONY

P136 BANDLEADER ITS MORE WORK THAN I THOUGHT GETTING PLAYERS BY DANIEL DIEFENDERFER

P140 THE FLESHTONES, 40 YEARS TOGETHER AS A BAND-BY DANA SARAVIA

P144 TV REVIEW OF VINYL BY JERRY SARAVIA

P146 MOVIES CAN INDUCE A REVOLUTION BY JERRY SARAVIA

P148 THE ABOVE THERE IS A REASON EP BY DANA SARAVIA

P150 BONGO BOY RECORDS COMPILATIONS, VOL. 8 BY DANA SARAVIA

P153 BONGO BOY ROCK N ROLL TV SHOW EPISODE 1078 BY DANA SARAVIA

P156 BONGO BOY ROCK N ROLL TV SHOW EPISODE 1079 BY DANA SARAVIA

P160 THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-ACE FREYLEY ORGINS VOL. 1

P161 THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-INTERVIEW W/MATT THOMPSON

P165 THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-INTERVIEW W/NON-HUMAN ERA

P173 THE METAL ZONE BY SCOTT SAXON-NON HUMAN ERA CD REVIEW

P176 MODEL TIA MARIE-PHOTOS BY BRIAN LIMAGE

P185 MODEL JULIE WILSON-PHOTOS BY GARY PREIS

Steel Notes Magazine | 3

Steel Notes Magazine is a monthly magazine featuring what is happening in the art, music, enter-tainment, and fashion industry. Copyright is reserved. Re posting is whole or in part on other sites and publication without permission is prohibited. All right to photos belong to their respective owners.

STAFFAlexxis Steele - Publisher/Editor in chief

Guido Colacci - Assistant EditorMick Reynolds- Proofreader/Copy Editor

Keith Boisvert- Design/Layout

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Stewart Brodian

BRODIANS BANTERBY STEWART BRODIAN

Too many times, I keep hearing complaints about what is being made for children as far as sexual connotation.

Too many times, I keep hearing the same excuse:well, its everywhere - do you mean like in childrens movies?

People like to complain,.. why not complain to the right people?

Email studios and tell them what exactly you dont like about their movies.

You may think youre just one person but, if they start getting too many of these complaints from too many people well, stories start to spread!

Eventually, the government will hear about this and take some type of action.

What inspired me to write this was an ad I just saw for the new Angry Birds movie.

The ad ended with a pig like character jumping on a trampoline and then its backside getting pressed up against the camera.

What frame of mind does this put a childs mind into?

What frame of mind allows such an ad to be released?

What frame of mind allows such and ad to be made?

What frame of mind do other countries think were in?

And then we sit back and wonder why other countries have such a low opinion of Americans,..

Well, what do you expect them to think?

First we make it and then, we say nothing about it.

Say something, send emails - and, try not to take the kids to see these stupid films and explain to them why you dont think these films are appropriate.


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Interview With Lisa Y. Wu, AfterShock ComicsWritten By Brandon C. Jones

BJ: What is AfterShock Comics?

LW: Amazing, of course!

But officially, AfterShock Comics is a comic book company that truly combines the creative edge of an independent comic book publisher with the strengths and experience of a traditional powerhouse.

We launched our first title December 2015 and currently have ten titles from major creative forces in the industry, including Brian Azzarello, Garth Ennis, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Marguerite Bennett, Paul Jenkins, Justin Jordan, David Hine, and Adam Glass.

We want our brand to be synonymous in the minds of our readers with great quality and independent spirit; and with editor-in-chief Mike Marts and publisher Joe Pruett at the helm, we are making this goal a reality.

BJ: What do you do for After Shock Comics?

LW: I am the Social Media Coordinator.

I provide relevant and up-to-date content on mul-tiple platforms that engage and connect with the social media world about our wide range of comics.

I am currently running AfterShock Comics Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and AfterShock will also soon be expanding our presence to

YouTube and a number of additional social media sites.

So, stayed tuned!

That said, the part of my job that gives me the most pride is knowing that AfterShock Comics believes in me so much that they trust me to be the social media worlds direct link to everything AfterShock.

So when someone messages or comments AfterShock Comics, that person is getting little ol me, which leads into the most exciting part of my jobthe opportunity to meet the creators, fans, retailers, and reviewers who I interact with via social media on a daily basis in person at signings, conventions, and meetings.

BJ: Who are some of the people youve gotten to meet?

LW: So far I have been honored to meet so many talented creators, there are just too many to name, but they include Brian Azzarello, Garth Ennis, Mark Waid, Marguerite Bennett, Brian Stelfreeze, and Paul Jenkins, all of whom are part of the AfterShock family.

Recently, I was also introduced to Greg Capullo, Frank Cho, and Ron Marz, which was very exciting.


Sometimes, I am amazed at where my life has taken me.

I never would have thought that I would be part of the comic book industry and be surrounded by such talent, who have either written or drawn some of my favorite characters in comics.

Lastly, long before I worked in the industry, I was a fan myself, and meeting my fellow readers is still the best part of this job.

BJ: What have been your most memorable experi-ences working with AfterShock?

LW: Listening to Joe Pruett and Garth Ennis tell stories they have experienced so much, from both a creative and an industry perspective, and they have quite a bit to teach the rest of us.

BJ: Can you give the readers a heads up on what to expect next from AfterShock?

LW: April was a big month for AfterShock Comics, as we are launching our Second ShockWave of Comics.

April 6th, Rough Riders by Adam Glass, which tells the story of Americas first steampunk superheroes, pulled straight from the pages of history - Teddy Roosevelt, Annie Oakley, Houdini, Jack Johnson, Thomas Edison, and Monk Eastman.

Fans of history and sci-fi alike will definitely want to add this to their pull list.

Then, on April 13th, JACKPOT! by Ray Fawkes hit the stands, telling the story of the greatest con artists in the world teaming up to steal the gods ultimate source of power.

Lastly, we have a new horror series based on a creepy urban legend called B.E.K. - Black Eyed Kids by Joe Pruett, which came out on 4/20. We also recently announced a new series scheduled for June 1st, called The Revisionist by Frank Barbiere, which tells the intense story of a dangerous time-traveling assassin.

Check us out at:

http://aftershockcomics.com


Interview With Guitarist Rick BozartWritten By Brandon C. Jones

BJ: When & why did you start playing music?

RB: Music became a fascination to me at a very young age. Not even sure how old I was in the piano picture, but Im sure I was still fresh on the scene of life.

I began participating in music in elementary school, and by fifth grade was ready for violin.

I played that for one year.

In fact that christmas I asked for an acoustic guitar. That year was when I knew music was my thing.

So, I would have to say 11.

BJ: Whats your songwriting process?

RB: I dont force it.

Let it flow out of you.

Willie Nelson said it the best, The key to a hit song is 3 chords and the truth.

BJ: How would you describe your music?

RB: Modern Acoustic Blues, one man band style.

I have written heavier songs as being raised in the 80s and 90s.

But, I dont get the same raw feel as I do unplugged.

BJ: Can you tell us the story of losing everything and how music changed it all?

RB: Well, let me begin by saying never ever say that wont be me!

Before all of this happened I used to be that guy.

I was driving home from work May 14, 2014 at about 6 PM.

I came to the stoplight at Northampton Blvd.

And stopped at least a car away from the lady in front of me.

I turned to look at the phone which was on the seat and was rear ended by a guy coming off the interstate doing about 40 - 45 mph no brakes.

It destroyed my pickup truck to the point I couldnt drive it and the damages were more than the truck was worth so they totaled the truck.


Not to mention on top of all of that I was pretty injured. my head hit twice and a tool also hit me in the head.

I began physical therapy 3 days a week about 2 or so weeks after the wreck.

The hospital just pumped me full of pills that made me unaware of what day it was.

After not being able to continue to run my lawn care business, I was also unable to pay any kind of rent and therefore had to vacate where I was living.

I remembered that there were places at the beach here that served the homeless.

I came out to the oceanfront with nothing but my guitar, 2 book bags of clothes, and my dog in search of a way to some how make it.

I had no idea what I was gonna do but it wasnt gonna be starve!

I have always been that guy who can come up with a fix at the drop of a hat.

I didnt even have a hat to drop. With not many options and very little funding left from the truck check, I began to rationalize pawning my guitar because I was running low on dog food.

What have I done to us Peanut?

The dog would just give me that look.

Then one night after playing the boardwalk and making no cash at all I decided the next morning I was gonna pawn the guitar.

As I walked to the spot that I would hide to sleep I ran into another street musician, who we can just call CJ.

He saw me walking with the guitar and asked me to sit down and play a tune.

My fingers were screaming from playing 8 to 10 hours a day already for a few weeks now but I said sure.

I sat down and threw out an original.


Its called Castles Made of Jade.

They loved it.

Then I explained I was out there playing my face off and starving so I was gonna pawn the guitar in the morning to go buy dog food.

CJ said, Woah, hold the press.

He asked where on the boardwalk I was playing and at what times.

When I told him he then understood why I was not making anything hardly at all.

I was at the wrong end of the beach playing for the wrong kind of crowd.

He told me to go down to the pier and sit on either side on a bench and play and the blessings will happen.

He also gave me a list of places that i could go to get meals, clothes, hygiene stuff, that sort of thing.

So, with all of that in mind when I woke up the next morning and went to breakfast it was my first true awakening of just how bad the homeless problem in America is.

Just seeing one or two on the corner asking for money is nothing.

Have you even had breakfast with 125 + people who have no place to go or hide?

That morning where I was in my life kicked in 150%. Played my guitar for the next week or so and began to see money start to come in.

He was right!

I only had 1 original and about 4 or 5 covers that I could remember.

I played those songs till my fingers wanted to fall off. Then, I ran into another man on the streets by the name of Mr. G or as we all call him the preacher man.


Mr G. told me, Boy, You sound good , but your doin it all wrong.

So, I asked him what he meant by all wrong.

He said After 9PM ya gotta take it to the street. Pack up and follow me.

He took me to 21st St and Atlantic Ave.

And said this is where ya wanna be after 9.

Till the bars close its nothing but people.

So I said ok if you say so Mr G.

And I unpacked and grabbed a piece of sidewalk and began what I always did everyday.

Mind you I never asked a soul for any money ever or anything but permission to play in front of their establishment.

That night in 2 hours or so I made $150.

I couldnt believe it!

I was doing everything so right before, but in all the wrong places.

That would be the night I realised music was gonna save my life.

I played that street corner every night for about 5 months.

I have been called every name under the sun by every race and religion.

Let me tell ya its a cruel world out there for a guy who is just trying to get one foot back up on the step.

There were good nights and bad nights out there.

I just took the bad ones as learning and practicing times.

Another thing that saved me is I had no desire to shoot dope or stay drunk all day.

Made it easy to save money.

As the summer and eventually fall came to an end, I received a message from a long time family friend that they had a room for rent that was empty.

They would not let me try to survive the winter

and I am so very thankful that they didnt because it snowed like 12 times that winter and there was 6 inches of frozen snow on the sand where I would have been sleeping. Upon moving in and getting settled I wrote a song about homelessness because I have always wanted to express and make changes through music.

I learned about a man named Leroy Bailey while I was on the streets.

He was a volunteer who through prayer and many conversations with God has decided he is going to walk around america to raise money to build home-less shelters for vets and the homeless in general.

What he is doing physically is what I want to do through music.

I wrote a song about him called Houseless Hollywood which is on Soundcloud under that name.

My other single Castles Made of Jade is on CD, Baby for sale.

BJ: Where do you see yourself in five years?

RB: My will to make it is very strong and I dont think I used up all that might when on the streets so shoot Im gonna put my dream out there.

In the next 5 years i will have won a Grammy for Best Song in a film or production.

Who knows maybe this story of my life could be made into a documentary kinda sorta-ish!

Check out Ricks music at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RickBozart


Review of Diana Ross at Bethlehem Sands Event

CenterApril 13th,2016

by JR Peterson

Diana Ross lived up to her reputation as a superstar in an hour long, sixteen song set of solo hits, Supremes hits and a couple of excellent cover songs.

She entered to Im Coming Outin an elegant red dress and her aura was immediately felt as the packed Bethlehem Sands Event Center came to their feet, crowding the aisles,singing and dancing along with Ms.

Ross.

The songs flowed effortlessly as she sang a cover of The Spiral Staircase hit More Today Than Yesterday. Backed by her tight band which consisted of Piano,Guitar,Bass,Saxophone,drums, percussionist and three background

vocalists the show was flawless.

She then performed three Supremes numbers.... My World is Empty Without You, You Cant Hurry love, and Love

Child.

After a quick costume change Diana reentered in a black sequined outfit and a beautiful yellow full length feathered

shawl/cape.

Her one other costume change was to an amazing silver sequined outfit with a

lacy white wrap that screamed Diva.


NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of STEEL NOTES MAGAZINE

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein

Why we must BOYCOTT THE VOTEBy Guido Colacci

We should not accept the status quo, the illusion, the fraud, the fantasy and mantra induced self deception and brainwashing any longer...

Stop participating in the election process, Boycott All Voting the only way real change is going to take place is if we let them (the people in charge who run things) understand that we finally get it The problem is that people are not angry enough or tired enough or have had enough because they placate us with the crumbs they throw us, the red herring issues, the social rights issue that keep us divided and fighting as if those things are the key to surviving. Then they traumatize and terrify us with horrific acts of american sponsored global acts of mayhem, death and destruction that leave us in a state of shock and terror and all the while more of our rights are continuously chipped away. America is is not angry enough yet, america does not have the stomach yet, too many are just comfortable enough, and the rest are too wrapped up in just surviving every day, and then there are those that continue to blindly believe and swallow all that we have been taught and brainwashed with by the government since before we learned to speak, the bought off and government sponsored media which is just a mouthpiece for what the government regime wants. This country, this democracy or

republic it doesnt matter which name you call it because it translates to the same thing, a country owned and run by very powerful, very rich people. It is not run by the puppets they that work for them that are installed as figure heads the politicians they make us think we the people voted into office.

The Federal Reserve, Corporate Owners and CEOs, Bankers, the IRS, Private Financial Institutions, Wall Street and the corporate military industrial complex and the rest of the 1% of the chosen , the same people on the Forbes 500 list of the most wealthy. Franklin Roosevelt said straight up, Presidents are selected, not elected.!

I say, we boycott voting and the election process completely we are too smart to keep getting duped. Your vote means nothing, its there to give you a false sense of reality that you somehow have a say in the matter. It may be that the most valuable payoff of voting is simply being seen at the polling place by your friends or co-workers and getting a sticker.

Mull this fact around, recent Gallop Polls found only 11% of people have a positive view of the Senate and Congress, yet those same people have a 90% rate of being re-elected. Something is very wrong here.


Imagine, if no one showed up to vote on Election Day. If no one watched the debates, no one participated in the primary process, and each speaking event by the candidates, only a handful of people showed up. You would be saying out loud in unison the emperor has no clothes. The people in charge would be terrified. I think heads would be exploding all over Washington and the world. They would know the gig is up, theyre onto us, they refuse to participate in the illusion, they see the game, that the election is a fixed system with a fixed agenda Seriously, do you think those who run this place would allow their wealth and power to be taken away by a vote? Just think about that and youll see how absurd the notion is that voting changes anything. And perhaps once the citizens see the governments unpleasant reaction which would definitely in-clude making it a law that people must vote, then the public might realize they have no freedom of choice and people will get off their asses with their complacent attitudes and take to the streets and demand change. And Im talking real change, by any means necessary. It is certainly not going to happenthrough voting

I say Enough is enough. this is not class or


economic, or social warfare any longer, they have declared genocide.! Now if you do choose to do this, you will be met with great resistance and anger. Youll be reminded of every soldier who died so that you have the rights you now enjoy, including the right to vote. You must honor their sacrifice by exercising that right or else they died in vain. Then they will tell you, you owe it to your children, always the children, but their future depends on your vote for a better world. Its your duty, if you dont vote, you cant complain and use it or lose it. As a last ditch effort, they will agree reluctantly that we are not a perfect exceptional country but we are still better off that all the other countries. They will tell you that this country and government affords us all many freedoms and opportunities and choices. Celebrate these precious liberties by exercising your right to vote.

Dont let people guilt you into voting, telling you, youre not being a good American if you dont vote! People say they vote to make a political statement, to have a say in things. Counter their words with well thought out statements, such as, choosing not to exercise the right to vote is as democratic and patriotic a choice as voting. Abstaining is as powerful a democratic statement as any vote could be and it is making a valid political statement about the whole system, not just one candidate. Throughout history a boycott has always worked, whether it was The Montgomery Bus boycott, the boycott of South Africa and Apartheid, the Delano Grape Strike/

boycott led by Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and of course the boycott that led to the creation of our own country, the boycott of the East India Tea Company.


Friday 22 April 2016. Olivia Newton-John Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ

photos by Bob Klein


http://www.prolifick.com/

http://www.attractionsmodels.com/


STEEL NOTES MAGAZINE INVADES THE REW AND WHO

SHOW NYC 3/23/2016


Alexxis: Richie has a great new program he created called In The Name Of Freedom Rock Opera I have listened to the tracks, and I must say that they are really awesome!

Richie: I appreciate it, thank you!

Alexxis: Richie, you are primarily a drummer, as a founding member of Sweet, and also a songwriter and guitarist as well, right?

Richie: Yes, I am known for my drumming, but I got started playing guitar, then writing, composing, and arranging. 2003 was the first time I actually did a concert in a group with me playing guitar and fronting the band.

Alexxis: Ok, so you have been doing it a while.

Richie: Yes, off and on, touring with Sweet, and other touring projects, but mainly as the drummer for Sweet. I am one of the five owners of the band here in the US & abroad. So between all of that I have been working on the music for the rock opera. It is a very lengthy thing to do.

Alexxis: What inspired you to create this rock opera you have been doing?

Richie: Well actually, it is one of those things where if you believe in some kind of spiritual situation, that is what happened to me in the past, and I was inspired by something extraordinary in my life, that is what had really driven me to do what I am doing.

Alexxis: You also have a co-producer that works with you on this project called Claudio Pesavento, tell me about your collaboration with him, and how that came about?

Richie: Well Claudio, I was in a group with him- Heaven & Earth many years ago, then he reappeared last year, and started collaborating, but

I really needed somebody to help with the orches-tration, and all the interludes that are involved with this type of project. We started working together and it was like magic. He has been the perfect collaborator for this type of thing, and it has really been phenomenal experience working with him. Claudio is very talented.

Alexxis: Awesome: Besides Claudio, who else are you working with? Did you write all of the tracks on this or were there other people involved in the writing process?

Richie: I wrote all of the music. I had one producer, who did collaborate on a few of the tracks. Now Claudio has come up with some of these interludes and various things. He has come up with some very nice writings himself. Interludes are different than actual pieces, but still bottom line is the orchestra-tion is really phenomenal.

Alexxis: I see you have quite an impressive list of people that contributed to this project! Who else contributed to it?

Richie: Robbie Wykoff was he first one I contacted, along with Joe Retta and Jamie Hunting. I did a cd called In The Name Of Freedom with a woman named Jeannie Cunningham that has done quite a lot of theater, and she said- Richie , you really need to bring this to the stage with your message. The name says it all with everything that is going on in the world right now, and here I have been working on this for 20 years.. Part two to be continued..

In the Name Of Freedom Part 1 Interview with Richie Onori By Alexxis Steele


1) Hello, there Amy! Talk to me! You got some seriously lovely designs you bring to the table! What inspired you to do this kind of thing?

A.M: Hello there Sophia-

First, Id just like to say how much I appreciate this opportunity and for the fact that you like my de-signs. I have been doing the m for quite sometime now, so an recognition for that is special to me. What got me inspired me about the Butterfly, and creating Butterflies by Amy is that its the only one of its kind in creation that begins as one thing and grows into another.

2) What do you love best about it?

A.M. I love that it needs its time alone, in its little cocoon, all alone. Sometimes like people in life, its confined in an uncomfortable place. Where it needs to stretch and grow. Getting stronger, changing, removed from others, but when it comes out. Hes finally ready and strong enough to break out and fly.

3) What have others told you about marketing your designs?

A.M: Ive been told that I need to sell them any way I can. That theyre (all my cards, those that are not just Butterflies, Flowers, and my Animal Drawings) very beautiful, unique, and that theres a happy, elegant appeal to them. And like any artist, actor, dancer, etc. Our craft cannot be realized until its seen. So visualization is very important, but mindful to not be vein or arrogant.

4) What do you want people to take away from enjoying your works?

A.M: When they get out,they may be different or not perfect, but they are still beautiful too. So thats what really got me thinking about what I wanted any of my work to bring to people. Some sort of seed, one that each person feels when looking at or receiving one. I want to bring something bright into the lives of others.

5) How did you get into this kind of designing? What inspires you?

A.M: The drive really began with children. In the beginning of drawing Butterflies, they were not real looking. They were more flamboyant and, what my mother called child-like. I have hundreds of these early cards, and I then got the idea of what I am to do with them. Before I really try to SELL them, I want to GIVE them, to children in the hospital.

This lovely lady caught my attention thanks to the wonderful John Loretto! Her inspiration started with lighting the lives of children! Now, her art

is lighting the lives of the world! Welcome Amy Martinez!!!

ARTIST OF THE MONTH AMY MARTINEZ

BY THE GYPSY POET


These little bright, colorful, happy little cards. Ones that they can put in their rooms, maybe write down something they plan to do when they get out of the hospital. Just something bright that they can look at while theyre in a place that they dont want to be, changing themselves. But, most importantly, I want to point out to them that since they are handmade, not by a machine. Theyre not perfect, maybe one wing is bigger or an antenna is longer. But, that doesnt mean that theyre not still beautiful. Just as the kids are. They inspired me to give. Then I just began to evolve more and more, and I thought of new ideas. So, I knew that if I just kept my ideas honest, original, and from a place that wants to bring something bright into the lives of others.

6) Who do you want to get this marketed to?

A.M: Like I said, as an artist, my work must be seen to be realized. Any cards of Butterflies, Flowers, Fancy Designs, Special Animal Scetches, and/or anything personal someone requests done. They really hold no true value until someone else sees

them, and; hopefully, enjoys them. (i.e. Ive includ-ed samples of my Animal Drawings, Flower Boxes, Butterfly Sticks, etc.) Well, I would love to see my work sold in any stores all across America, even the world. But, Ill crawl before I run. ;) I just want people to receive what they want or what theyre feeling when getting something Ive made. Just as far as they can fly.

7) Is there a person or mentor who got you into this type of work?

A.M: Obviously, the children in the hospital. They were a bright example of something that has to be in a place to change, recover, get stronger. As well as myself. I took a few years to just take some time to discover who I REALLY AM. What I truly have in me and what I really believe in. And in that time alone, I changed, and got stronger. Even outside help.I was in my own little caccoon and

I, alone, had to break myself out. No matter how well intentioned or nicely someone would want to draw me out. It wouldnt have been the right time, my wings wouldnt have been strong enough to fly.

8) What do you hope to achieve with your art?

A.M: In my eyes, meaning I would be dependent on someone or something else, and like opening a Butterflys caccoon too soon. Their wings dont have the strength they need to be able to fly, and they wont make it. Im not saying its about not letting someone help you. Its about knowing when the right time is for you to break out, know who you are, spread your wings and fly! Thats why I want my work to plant a seed in everyone it touches, in their own way, for their own reasons, and in their right time. Thats also the message or meaning I want my work to bring to the world.


9) Did you see this as a need to bring to the art world?

A.M: Thats lifes about knowing who you are. There are times when we are alone, or go through significant change. But its something that we can use to bake us better, stronger, and more beautiful. Its not about getting help, or having those around you, in all times of need/want. Its about knowing WHEN the time is right, to Break Free, to BE AND KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

10) How do you come up with these designs?

A.M: The idea of the Butterfly just came to me when I saw a picture of one on the cover of this little book my mother had botten. Then, they just kept evolving. And as the years past, I did too. So, I began drawing ...well, just about anything. Primarily animals, other little crafts that came to mind. Like, my Butterfly Sticks, which is basically one of my Butterflies on a long narrow stick. That you can put in a boqucet of flowers, potted plants, things like that. Also, I started making Butterfly Bookmarks by Amy, that can go in corresponding cards.

11) Who has been your best supporter for this?

A.M: My parents and fiance have been my biggest supporters and backers. My father, because hes a brilliant artist, who gave me this natural talent. Ive never taken an art class. My mother, who is BRUTALLY HONEST and says everything I make is HERS. So...I guess shell have to share. Lol. But, strange as it sounds, ever since I began this work, drawing Butterflies, I LITERALLY, have seen at least one, EVERY SINGLE DAY. From the 1st day I started to this. Be it, in nature, on t.v. I even saw the tattoo of one late at night on the back of this girls neck, late one night at the store. I thought, Ah, all day and havent seen one. Then the girl in front of me

in line at the supermarket, swung her hair up into a bun...and BANG. Big old Butterfly tat on the back of her neck. So, I humbly see them and just take each one in as a little gift.

12) What do you want to achieve in 2016 with your art?

A.M: Oh, I would, first just love to brighten the days for those ids in the hospital. Thats actually, the first task I have to complete, before anything else. I hope to find some help in that, but I will do that 1st. Then, I would just be delighted to see Butterflies by Amy on store shelves, in catalouges, even maybe make it on Oprahs Favorite Things. Lol. Along with the other work I do that involves more than just the Butterflies. Especsially, when someone asks me to do a piece thats personal to them, like a memorial, or a piece of work for their home. Just anything I can produce that brings to people whatever they see in it.


13) What have been your best comments about your art?

A.M: That the pieces Ive made for anybody that were personal, when they have told me that It was the most beautiful card, drawing, crafted box, theyd ever seen. And each one said that they would never, ever get rid of them. Probably, one Christmas morning, a family member called me up crying at like 7 in the morning. She said it was the best gift shed ever been given. That was actually the 1st time I ever took a chance and really drew something of personal meaning for someone. And for her to be so moved, still to this day, was one of the greatest feelings a creator could ever have!

14) Is there someone youd love to help you market your work? Or is this something only you want to do yourself?


A.M: Oh, I definitely would LOVE to get help in mar-keting my work and getting it out there. It has to be seen. And theres only one of me, and I would just love for my work to touch as many people as it can. In doing that, Ill need help. Help in giving. And, most assuredly, giving back my help.

15) What drives you to create these?

A.M: That only each person can have. Im driven to do my work and get it out there because, I want each person who gets it. To experience their own individual feeling or emotion, from looking at it. No two people might experience the same emotion or feeling. And being able to do that, would just be amazing!


The Artist Formerly Known as Prince

April 21, 2016 exactly at 10:07am, is when the bad news was announced. The setting was at Paisley Park in an elevator; Prince was to be found unresponsive. Paramedics tried to revive him by doing CPR only to fail. According to CNN he had been battling the flu since a week before. Just two nights before his death, he had performed for the last time in Atlanta. Fans on Twitter, as well as on Facebook, all said he seemed to have looked fine for having the flu, that nobody wouldve predict-ed it to be his last show.

As always rumors like to fly, doubting the cause to be the flu. Like many celebrity deaths, people like to believe drugs were involved. TMZ sent out a report stating, An emergency landing had to be made Friday night while flying Prince home from a concert. Supposedly battling the flu, he was rushed to the hospital because he had ODd on Percocet and ingested too much.

An autopsy was done and there were no signs of trauma or self harm to be la-beled as a suicide. The body was given back to the family a few days later where they hosted a private ceremony and cremated the remains. Tests are still being done to prove further details as to whether it was simply the flu or a drug reaction.

He was a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. This man of many talents we all know and love is the one and only, Prince Rodgers Nelson. Born June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota; his parents, John L. Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw. Both of his parents were Jazz musicians, giving Prince promising talent since he was born. He will be remembered by many of his hit songs including: Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, 1999, and I Want To Be Your Lover to name a few, as well as his movie, Purple Rain. Even though hes gone, theres one thing hed want us to remember:

Life is just a party,

And parties werent meant to last.

This article was written by Foxxy Roxxy

April 25, 2016


JEWEL- SANDS EVENT CENTER, BETHLEHEM, PAAPRIL 15, 2016(REVIEW BY ALEXXIS STEELE AND MICK REYNOLDS, PHOTOS BY BOB KLEIN)At the beginning of her show we see an empty stage with a single spotlight, a shadow in the background, and a voice reciting over the public address system. A taped monologue, both poetic and philosophical, Jewel told us of her life, loss and struggles to get to who she is today.

When it was over a petite and beautiful young woman, with straight sandy blonde hair, dressed in a white and black length sundress and short black boots appeared and began singing acapella (Without accompaniment), an amazing perfor-mance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow that sent chills through your spine.

We were captured by a voice that filled the room with resonance and clarity that you will find irresistible

With a voice like an angel, she mesmerized the audience with just an acoustic guitar, and an array of wonderful vocal surprises.

Her set list for the evening included:

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

MONOLOGUE

HANDS

MONOLOGUE

MY FATHERS DAUGHTER

PLAIN JANE

SEE SASSY WAKE UP

ANGEL STANDING BY

MORNING SONG

LEAVE YOURSELF AT THE DOOR (POETRY)

HERE WHEN GONE

STANDING STILL

INTUITION

ROSEY AND MICK

MONOLOGUE

YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME

FOOLISH GAMES

PRETTY FACED FOOL

GOODBYE ALICE IN WONDERLAND

LISTEN (POETRY)

MERCY

MONOLOGUE

WHO WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL

ENCORE:

CHIME BELLS

Jewel did not disappoint her fans, and performed her top hits, plus her newer material to the near capacity crowd.

We were transfixed by her incredible vocal modula-tions on her hit song- Foolish Games

Needless to say, her staunch followers were on their feet, acknowledging a truly great artist and performer, who gave us two and a half hours of true greatness; something we all hunger to discover.

WHAT A JOY IT IS!

FOR MYSELF AND ALEXXIS, THIS WONDERFUL GIRL WAS TRULY

THE CROWN JEWEL


PHOTOS BY BOB KLEIN


JD AND THE STRAIGHT SHOTREVIEW BY ALEXXIS STEELE AND MICK REYNOLDS

PHOTOS BY BOB KLEIN

(SANDS EVENT CENTER BETHLEHEM, PA. APRIL 15, 2016)J D & The Straight shot hit the stage at the Sands Event center on April 15th, 2016 with that down home sitting on the front porch Americana sound , performing to a near capacity crowd.

Opening up for Jewels Picking Up The Pieces Tour, they hit the road in support of their new, all-acoustic 6th album Ballyhoo!, which was released on January 15th.

Jim Dolan, AKA JD vocalist/guitarist, with smooth and well travelled vocals, brought his distinct bluegrass style to the forefront, backed by guitarist Marc Copely, bassist- Bryan House, and violin /fiddle player Erin Slaver.

Great acoustic presentations demand skill and precision and these musicians performed it with bewildering dexterity and unity, backing up JD.

We were particularly impressed by the bands dueling instrumental solo between guitarist Marc Copely, and violin player Erin Slaver, that immediately invoked the rich applause of an appreciative audience.

The bands 9 song set list was comprised of:

1.Empty- Great slide guitar and harmonies that made you want to tap your feet in unison to the music.

2. Violets Song- Great soundtrack song for movie , Osage County.

3. Glide-Great harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

4. Perdition- Great guitar work and harmonies takes you away with the song.

5. Natures Way- Great harmonies and rendition of this sing a-long cover song.

6. Dont Waste My Time-Beautiful acoustic guitar picking, and violin work.

7. Better Find A Church- Finger snapping, hand clapping song with great duet vocals between JD & Erin

8. Ballyhoo- The albums title track tells a story about a carnival show with Freaks with JDs vocals resonat-ing and Erins violin riffs put on the final touch.

9. Let it Roll-Great instrument dueling between JD & violinist Erin with standup bass solo.

JD is in the business of hearing other bands perform at his venue, Madison Square Garden, but he gets to be on the other side of the fence with his band. He worked hard to get where he is, and earned his spot, so for him it is not about the money, but wanting to perform music that makes other people happy.

KUDOS TO JD AND HIS BAND- THE STRAIGHT SHOT MUSICIANS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

THEIR ACOUSTIC COMPETENCE WAS A FINE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE AND I ENCOURAGE OUR READERS TO GIVE A LISTEN, PICK UP A COPY OF HIS NEW CD BALLYHOO, AND GET OUT TO SEE HIM LIVE!


CHILLER THEATRE EXPO, PARSIPPANY NJ SATURDAY

APRIL 23RD PICTORIAL

ALEXXIS & MACKENZIE PHILLIPS

photo by Drama D

photo by Drama Dphoto by Drama D

ALEXXIS & MTV DJ JESSE CAMP

ALEXXIS & THE ACCELERATORS62 | Steel Notes Magazine steelnotesmagazine.com

photo by Drama D

photo by Drama D

ALEXXIS & RICKY BYRD

ALEXXIS WITH MAX BAER JETHRO BODINE FROM THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES


photo by William Muffley Jr.

photo by Harold Jr Peterson

ALEXXIS WITH LIL NELL

ALEXXIS WITH CHERIE CURRIE AND DRAMA D



TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND ROB SCHNEIDER

JR MUFFLEY AND ROB SCHNEIDER



TRACI DUNTON SHAW, JUDGE REINHOLD AND JR MUFFLEY





TRACI DUNTON SHAW, JESSE CAMP AND JACK SPARROW

JR PETERSON AND CHERIE CURRIETRACI DUNTON SHAW AND KANE ROBERTS





TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND KANE ROBERTS

TRACI DUNTON SHAW, JR PETERSON AND BOBBY STEELE



photo by William Muffley Jr.photo by William Muffley Jr.

JR MUFFLEY, TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND MACKENZIE PHILLIPSTRACI DUNTON SHAW AND THE ACCELERATORS

JR MUFFLEY, TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND WEIRD AL



photo by William Muffley Jr.TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND THE ACCELERATORS


photo by Drama D

JR MUFFLEY, TRACI DUNTON SHAW AND BOBBY STEELE

ALEXXIS, DON JAMIESON AND CHIP ZNUFF

DRAMA D AND ROB SCHNEIDER


ALEXXIS, DON JAMIESON AND CHIP ZNUFF

ALEXXIS, DRAMA D AND BUTCH PATRICK---EDDIE MUNSTER




DRAMA D AND TARA REID

WWE SUPERSTARS ANDREW ANDERSON, GREG VALENTINE ,DOINK THE CLOWN



photo by Drama Dphoto by William Muffley Jr.


WWE SUPERSTARS ANDREW ANDERSON, GREG VALENTINE ,DOINK THE CLOWNALEXXIS AND JOHNNY POTENZA


JR PETERSON AND CHERIE CURRIE

JR PETERSON AND ALICE COOPER


JR PETERSON AND BUTCH PATRICK




ALEXXIS, MICHAEL BRUCE AND DENNIS DUNAWAY


photo by Drama D

ALEXXIS AND MICKEY DOLENZ


RAIN PRYOR, DRAMA D AND ALEXXIS


photo by Drama D

SMILING CHI CHI

DRAMA D, ALEXXIS AND VINNY PASTORE

DRAMA D, ALEXXIS, DON JAMIESON AND CHIP ZNUFF


Hej from Sweden, America! Im the Grouch and I do music reviews. Now, you might wonder why Im called the Grouch - Ill give you a hint it isnt because I am known for my diplomacy or subtle commentary.

The other day Bongo Boy asked me to give a listen to some of their records and jot down my thoughts. Seeing as I have a soft spot in my old Grouchy heart for Blues and Blues based rock, I thought the album to start with would be Backroom Blues Volume One.

The album starts off with Miss Stacy by Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs: First of all, if you have even an ounce of soul you will feel the groove on this track. I mean the name of the band alone ought to peak your interest.

SO what is it that Plainfield Slim and his band of Groundhawgs do? The answer is simple; they blow the roof off. The guitars sound killer as they go into what sounds like a Texas influenced jam - then comes a wicked voice. I get a big goofy smile on my face everytime I hear that vocal snarl. The voice combined with the slide guitar and the harp in the background just scream bad ass rock and roll. I swear I even hear what could be a nod to Cab Calloway - although Plainfield Slim isnt singing Heidi-Heidi-Heidi-Ho.

From here the album moves on Sugar Rush by Blind

Lemon Pledge. This song is for the harp lovers. As an armature blues harp player, I respect this mans ability. Well done, well done indeed.

Next up is a track by the Paula Boggs Band, Paula referes to their stuff as soulgrass, which is just a really cool word and reminds me of a band I used to be in - the guitar player insisted on calling our stuff cow punk, but I digress. So what it is that Paula does? She sings WELL in front of a band that just oozes cool and makes one very impressive amount of noise. Simply put if you want to hear the electric blues done right, you have to check out this band.


Man, I hope these guys come to Sweden!

Big Bone Daddy follows up with another rocking track that compels the listener to feel the vibe. What can I say about this track other than the band is rock solid, the singer has a prototypical voice for bad ass blues and the guitar player can do some magic with his axe. Although the style is vastly different, I get the same feeling listening to this man that I got when I first heard Jeff Beck. The riffs are subtle yet incredibly powerful. Well done, Sir, well done.

Next on, what is clearly a great album, is Vin Matteo. His track Inside My Head is one of my favorite tracks on the album. Now, to be honest, aside from the chorus, I cannot really tell what he is singing - and I couldnt care less. He could be sing-ing nonsense and it would still sound great. Vins voice fits the genre well and his guitar rocks. What more can you ask for?

Track six is another offering from Big Bone Daddy. Dad doesnt disappoint. You really have to listen to these guys. They come off like some laid back old souls who can just rip it up the and grin sardonically while mesmerizing the crowd. Did I mention that their guitar player rocks?

KickBend, a bunch of guys from near Chicago bring their track Gone. What can be said about these guys? They do what they do and they do it well. Coming out of Chicago, I would not expect any thing else from them. It is obvious that these guys were paying attention, because they know how to play.

Kimon and The Prophets contributes to the album with a somewhat subdued blues number called New

Yorks Finest. I enjoyed the slowed down tempo and the keyboard work combined with the slide guitar is emotion filled.

Vin Matteo is back with Rat Race. Man, I dig this guy. Again, I really dont know what he is singing aside from frequent invocations of the words Rat Race - Dude, do you talk that way as well, or is it just your singing voice? In any case, it sounds great when backed by your guitar. Keep it up!

The album concludes with the Roadhouse Sons doing a track by the same name. I can see why Bongo Boy put this track last. It has everything an archetypical blues song needs. The music follows the blues formula to a T - the singer has a good voice and the guitar player has some lightening. When those qualities, given the importance of the Roadhouse in the blues mythos, are combined with the fact that the chorus is: We are the Roadhouse sons. We are the chosen ones, there is really no better way to end a blues album.

So, what is the bottom line? If you dig blues and blues based rock you will enjoy this

album. It is definitely worthy of inclusion in any serious collectors stash.

Now if Bongo Boy would organize a Backroom Blues tour, then I would be really

excited, until then I guess Ill just have to dig the album. - The Grouch | Sweden

Email [email protected]

Album available at https://bongoboyrecords.com/backroom-blues/


Im back and this time we are going to take a listen to an album called Out of the Garage. There must be something in the water over there in New Jersey, because Bongo Boy has a knack for finding really good songs and putting them on an album with a particular theme. I like to think

of it as a playlist for those who know what vinyl is. (No, I do not simply mean a substance consisting of, or containing the monovalent group of atoms, CH 2). I mean records!

So what do we find on this album? The name implies that it may be some sort of Neo-hippie homage to flowers and drum circles, but wait it also says that this music is out of the garage...hmmmm this sounds interesting.

So it was with a hope, but no expectation that I cued-up these tracks. I was hoping for more garage and fewer hippies. (OK, Hendrix did some really cool stuff, but most of that peace and love nonsense just makes me want to go do something else...)

Well, what a pleasant surprise this album turned out to be. This is basically a collection of really good Punk/Punk-Pop tracks. Now, when I say Punk, I dont mean mindless noise, I mean basic three chord Rock and Roll played with ATTITUDE.

Attitude is something this album has an abundance of.

Track 1 Like Nothing That Youve Seen by Mark Lindsay is WICKED. I was stunned to read that Mark Lindsay was the singer in Paul Revere & The Raiders. I mean, if I remember correctly they campaigned for Nixon and had songs about Leave It to Beaver stuff...Oh well, we all make mistakes

when we are younger. (At one time I had a mullet.) The point is, this song is great! Marks voice is good - really good. Combine his voice with the guitar riffs - the lead that begins 10 seconds into the song really makes me smile. All I can think is Damn, this guy is cool! This song is an infectious groove that sets the pace for the rest of the album - and the two string


solo that starts at the 2 minute 10 second mark is just smoking hot.

Track 2, called You Gotta Work, by The WeeGees is a three minute rampage of sound dominated by some red hot horns. The horn section makes this song! I am reminded of the Geils bands horn section, the Uptown Horns. Very nice guys.

Track 3 is Nothing To Brag About by the Rage Of Angels. This is one of two songs on the album that remind me of the Go-Gos. (No, I dont mean the Belinda Carlisle solo years. I mean the stuff they did with Jane Wiedlin, when they were a rock and roll band that just happened to be comprised exclusive-ly of women.) I hear the same new wave west coast groove in this track. Of course it also helps that their singer has a really good voice and the guitar player knows how to step up and take a

solo.

Track 4 Take It Or Leave It, by The Accelerators is just a classic old Punk jam! Is the music technically difficult? No. It the singer fantastic? No. What it is, folks, is bad ass ROCK AND ROLL. Look, the

guy can sing, well enough. The band is tight,

enough. What they have that a lot of more polished bands lack, is PUNK ROCK SOUL and that makes this Grouch smile. Listen to this track. Tell me, honestly, that you dont feel it too. Of course you feel it, the idea that these guys are

making some cool noise - and that you could do that too. Rock and Roll for the masses, here it is and its in your face.

Out Of The Garage Volume One

1. Like Nothing That Youve Seen - Mark Lindsay - 3.27

2. You Gotta Work - The WeeGees - 3.07

3. Nothing To Brag About - Rage Of Angels 3.23

4. Take It Or Leave It - The Accelerators 2.59

5. Half A Mile Away - Rage Of Angels 3.46

6. Spin - KickBend 2.42

7. Broken Records - The Catholic Girls 3.34

8. I Cant Let Go - The Chords UK 3.03

9. Hey Little School Girl - Zombie Garden Club 2.59

10. Sweet Sunshine - The Satisfactors 3.38

The Rage of Angels are back for track 5, Half A Mile Away. Listen to this song! Man, I love that raunchy guitar. OK, its 2016 does anyone still think women cant rock? Well, if you think so you have not heard The Rage of Angles. Man, this chick makes that guitar screen. I dig it.

Track 6 is called Spin and comes from a group called KickBend. I find myself wondering if these guys are out of Detroit. They sound a lot like a local band I dug back in the 1980s. The music is loud, the

guitar rocks and the drummer seems to be having a really good time. This song is a gigging bands dream - it can be extended indefinitely and lends itself to a concert ending. Good job guys.

Track 7 Broken Record by The Catholic Girls is my

favorite track on the album. The majority, based on the video of this song that I saw I do not think all, of the members are female. Here is the bottom line: I love this womans voice - it just screams attitude (think the Gore Gore Girls) and the guitar is outra-geous. The song reminds me both of Billy Idol and the Go-Gos. All in all this is an exceptional jam.

Track 8 is titled I Cant Let Go by the Chords UK. Good song played well - with the right amount of energy. Im a pretty big Mott fan, so that might influence my feelings about this track, but I dig it and I think you will too.

Track 9, Hey Little School Girl by the ZOMBIE GARDEN CLUB is old school rock and roll. This is the stuff that made middle class parents nervous back in the day. Based on what Ive read it seems

this band started in Toronto, you could have fooled me. This track has British Invasion written all over it. The snarl is just right! You have to check this out.

Track 10 is Sweet Sunshine by the Satisfactors. I first heard about the Satisfactors a few years ago. I dig what they do! This is a band made up of a bunch of guys who are bursting with in-your-face soul. The singer sings well. The rhythm section is rock solid and the guitars are on fire. I dare anyone to listen to this track and not be in a better mood by the end of the song. A long time ago, when the Walkman first

came out, I had a friend who would say Here, have a little Alice. Youll feel better. Then he would give you the headphones and Billion Dollar Babies would blast through your brain. Well, here, have a little Satisfactors. Youll feel better.

So folks, what is the bottom line? All in all this is an outstanding album! Long live the Garage!

Official Website https://bongoboyrecords.com/out-of-the-garage-a-compilation-series-for-60s-rock/

Record Label Website https://bongoboyrecords.com/

Contact: [email protected]


LUCA CERARDI - ITALYINTERVIEW WITH GREG IZOR

This month I want to share with you my first interview to a friend, a blues man: Greg Izor. He is working over his third album after the great I was wrong and Close to Home with the BoxKickers. I met him first time in Italy last summer and loved his music immediately. Coming from Usa here are my questions going through his life in music

So first of all I would to know when you got the idea to cross the Ocean to spread your music here. What push you to choose Europe to play and how were you able to land here? Easy? Hard?

Many musicians I know had been playing in Europe for a long time before I came, but I always figured that it would happen when the time was right. I never pushed hard to get there, I just figured the op-portunity would present itself . The first time I went to Europe was with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, fronting the band, in March 2011. While I was there I met a nice family that brought me back to Norway for a family party in September of that year and that led to working with Kai Fjellberg and the Blues Express.

The first time I came to Europe to do my own music was through a couple of guys that have become very close friends- Emilio Arsuaga and Alvaro Bouso. They came to visit Austin in 2010, and I happened to be playing and Emilio and I got talking about harp stuff, and I invited them to sit in the following night. We hit it off, and a little while later they asked if I would come to Spain and tour with their band. I said Ill be there tomorrow! We did our first tour together in July of 2011. Their band, King Bee, was a natural fit for me and we had a blast. Madrid has become home-base for me in Europe, and I spend a lot of time with those guys- they have given me so much culturally and musically, and are really great friends. It also led to another great friendship and musical relationship with Alvaro Toledo in Roma.

As far as coming to Italy, I receved an email from

Max Prandi out of the blue one day, inviting to come to Italy for a tour in March 2012. We had a blast and that has formed another long lasting friendship- I love being in Italy with Max and Marco and Marco and Marco and Marco. Great musicians!!!

Also, along the way I was connected to the Gumbo Blues Band in Canarias- that has been fun, working with a different style of players in a very special place.

A couple things that are really important to note- These guys are all great players- we continue to play and work together because they play my music very well. I like the musical interaction and they step up to my demands of being responsive at all times, and never playing the same way twice. I have enjoyed growing together with all of these musicians. Also,


I meet a lot of great harp players everywhere I go and I get to play with and listen to new harmonica influences.

Where have you been in these years and what did you find that really like in each countries you played in? Was what you found what you expected or was different?

Oh man- the thing I love most about being in these places is the cultural exchange! When traveling in Europe with American bands, the itinerary tends to be airport-van-hotel-van-gig-van-hotel: you rarely get time to fully appreciate where you are. Travelling with native bands means we have more time in each place, and we eat the best food and wine, and these guys teach me a lot about what is indigenous to each place. I eat and drink like a king!!! And I learn a lot more of the language. I also have a lot more time to visit museums and walk around towns. I love art and get exposed to a lot of it , especially sculpture. Where have I been? Italy, Spain, Norway, Sweden, The Canary Islands, Greece, Istanbul, Switzerland.

What did and do you like the most and not? Which connection did you find with Usa if there are?

The thing I like most is hanging out and learning my way around a town. I love feeling at home in Madrid, Milano, Bodo, and on Gran Canaria. I love walking around towns and discovering things. And eating. What I like least is that some places want you to be at the club hours before the gig for soundcheck, and they arent prepared, so you cant really relax before the gig. I like to soundcheck, then go to the hotel and get a shower and clear my

head before I play. The other thing I dont like is when the sound technicians are not prepared. You cut short rest and relaxation to get to soundcheck on time, and the sound techinicians are late, or the equipment doesnt work. The only other thing is that because Im traveling all the time, I like to eat salad for lunch so I dont get too fat, and sometimes people cant accept that you only want vegetables for lunch!

What cant you wait to do again in Europe, the first thing come in your mind?

Hang out, play, eat, drink, see some art! Im a sensory hedonist, so all these things go together!

What is for you a tour? Is just a way to play or is also a way to discover, to live, to feel something new ?

Everywhere I go, on tour or not, Im trying to take in and learn as much as I possibly can. I feed off new information. So, being on tour is a great way to discover new things!

How is the difference between the blues scene there and here? Not only in music side but also if you find differences in people, int he way they listen, react, talk, move etc etc

I dont find much difference, the USA is a big place so its hard to compare- but the players are the same everywhere, regarless of style, we all love good music.

When you say Blues what do you mean? What is Blues for a bluesman. I don t think is just music but is something deeper, so for you?

This is a very difficult question- blues is a certain feeling, not necessarily a structure. There are a lot of great bands calling themselves blues, but they are playing Funk or Rock or something, and it doesnt feel like blues. But at the same time there are a lot of Blues bands playing Funk and Rock and it DOES feel like blues. I think it has to do with Timing, Phrasing and Tone.

I always heard the words you need to feel to the blues and I heard once Muddy Waters says that if you dont live the poverty, to have nothing to survive you can t feel the bluesis this? What do


we need to feel the blues? Which sensations and emotions are the blues? What move and moved you to play the blues? As a rocker I thought too that the real ones were more close to have an hard lifein their early years from where, the real pain, could transform those feeling in great music so from a certain moment of history when everybody got more and were safe the power of rock falled down cause it had lost his anger his passion is pure side, its truth and with no more to say cause we were all fat. the great bands disappear and everything became more business. Is it the same for the blues?

I dont know. Blues music is something that either comes from inside you, or it doesnt . Blueshas definitely become a business, one that I dont pursue, its more important to me to create some-thing fresh and intense to keep myself interested. Many successful bands of ALL genres are out there playing manufactured music, with a manufactured style, giving an audience something safe and palatable. I think a lot of musicians create a plan to be successful in business, and their idea of success in extrinsic- how much the crowd likes it, how big a venue they are playing, what festivals etc... and that is not my main priority. Mine is to express myself musically to the best of my ability.

As far as poverty, when I was growing up, we didnt have much, but I didnt know any different. It wasnt until I was older that we had a little more to live on, but I wasnt aware that we were poor when I was younger. But- none of the people I grew up with that way are playing blues. And having lived in the south for so long, I know lots of people of every race and background, and it doesnt seem to influence ability one way or another. I will say that people in the south play differently than the north, but I think it just has to do with what you hear. Equal parts environment and natural predisposition.

The blues, you and women. Like for for rock which relation , if there is, you can find between blues and women? Your experience as a bluesmen with them? Any stories? Many blues song sang about this argument so we cant avoid a question on blues in that way about love passion or sex.

Well, I thnk its important to be discrete. I cant tell those stories here! I dont tend to write autobi-

graphically, but I do believe in only writing the truth, so I dont use imaginary stories and act them out. I only write songs about things that happen to me or I see happen around me.

How live as a musician affect your normale life or relations? I know many of us that have to deal with the fact of the many shows and travel so a lot of time awaya from home. About you?

Well, I work everyday, and play gigs about 6 nights a week. So, Im not at home too much. Not even enough to have a dog, but maybe Ill get a cat one day. Then in the summers I head to europe for 6-10 weeks, so Im gone a lot.

Music is also related to party to share and to alcho-ol. Which relation do you have with it?

I like it!

How business and money struggle with decision in the life of a musician? Which relations you got between economic side of your band project and the music you want to do?

I dont see financial success as a mark of how well Im doing as a musician. The only thing I use to measure how well Im doing is whether or not Im happy with my playing and if Im creating some-thing new. I love playing festivals, clubs, theaters, houses, anywhere- but my goal is to play better and different each night, and that is intrinsic. It doesnt matter to me how much the crowd cheers if Im not happy with my playing. I would love to have someone who can handle the business side for me, I dont really care for that at all.

Did you had any relation with other type of music? If yes which one and experienced playing that too? Coming from rock and metal do you listen to it or what do you think?

Absolutely- I grew up playing Jazz. My first instru-ment was trumpet. Later on I got into folk music and then blues and country. Only from there did I get to Rock. When I was growing up I was around french canadian music and early rock and roll and r&B, so all that stuff is inside me. I love good music, and that has fueled an interest in Hawaiian music, Flamenco, Classical, Ska, Reggae, and also Harmonica band music like the Harmonicats and the Mulcays. I listen to all of this stuff all the time.


I dont have a TV, so there is music playing in my house all the time. If you come over you never know what you might hear! Also- when I write or play, I try to stay away from any cliches- I prefer to express what emotions I have inside me when I play a certain type of music, rather than mimic a style.

Great Harp playerwhere it come from? Why this true love for all that is Harp? Like for Blues, what do you mean playing Harp on stage or at least for you in general? what do you feel when you play it?

I love the harmonica. It was a natural instrument for me and I love that it goes both ways- inhaling and exhaling- and the tone is so varied. I love listening to all kinds of harp players, and I always learn new things when I hear someone play. I like it in all genres and at all skill levels. Check out Charlie Organaire, or Hugo Diaz, or Jerry Murad, or Charlie McCoy , or BIG WALTER!!!!! They are all breathtaking in their own way.

You re a teacher and have to face daily problem in life at school. Do this help you as a bluesman, inspire you? (In bad and positive way?) Does blues can help people or young generations?

Every experience in life influences me as a mu-sician, consciously or unconsciously. I definitely interact with the world differently due to my perspective based on working with my students. It has broadened my experience and way of view-ing the world in many many ways. My students come from a really rough background, but they all work well with me, and I enjoy working with them as they learn to negoitate with the world.

Ok, next trip in Europe? What is your plan? In Italy?

Yes! I love coming to italy- there are so many special places- the coast, the Piemonte, Milano, Malcesine, Mantova (where I get to hear the great Marco Pandolfi!), Modena, Roma, and I hope to one day get to Elba, Sardinia, and Sicily. Big and small, I love them all!


Alessia Bastianelli - ITALY

Alessia Bastianelli

Two nights ago I dreamt I met a friend whom I hadnt seen for years. The next morning I got a call. It was him! At the moment I thought I had some supernatural power or that some other mysterious stuff was happening. Then I thought, Calm down, its just coincidence.

Everybody, at least once, experiences a similar situa-tion: events that seem related or could be interpret-ed as such, but in reality are just a coincidence. In this case, the misinterpretation is due to the prox-imity in time between the two events. In fact every time we dream or think of a person whom we have not seen for a long and then nothing happensand this happens most of the timewe tend to forget it. On the contrary, when, for example, you think of your grandma and she calls you the same evening, you tend to think, Everything happens for a reason.

This misinterpretation of the two events is just one of the mistakes that our brain makes. It is hard to say but every day my brain make mistakes, like yours, or rather, it is not as efficient as we would like it to be. We usually like to think of ourselves as rational people who make decisions based on logic. In reality we do not always think using logic; on the contrary, we are often irrational creatures and we behave in an incoherent way. Unfortunately or fortunately, we are often unaware of the many ways that our thinking is irrational and biased. Unfortunately, because this drives us to make mistakesand nobody wants to make mistakes. Fortunately, because if our brains work in this way, it is due to evolution, so there must be a good reason.

In 2002, Kahneman and Tversky won the Nobel Prize for their work on the psychology of judgment

The Charm of Mistakes


and decision-making. They demonstrated that mistakes are numerous and systematic and that our brain is not as entirely rational and scientific as we want to believe.

To develop into the thinking and rational beings we are today, our brains evolved with certain handy shortcuts. These help us to identify threats and make quick judgments. Even nowadays, where we dont face such immediate threats to our survival, these tendencies are still at work. In psychology they are known as cognitive biases and they con-stantly shape the way we experience the world and ourselves.

The bias I experienced is one of the most common mistakes: I interpreted two random eventsthe dream and the callas linked together. This error is called apophenia, and it can be described as the tendency to find patterns in random information. In psychology, besides this term, other similar or related concepts have been proposed (e.g., syn-chronicity, patternicity). Although there are some minor differences between these terms, all describe the idea that there are hidden connections between the human mind and the outside world and that two or more events that happen at the same time

must be connected in some way. This human tendency is universal, frequent and very pervasive in our life. While this cognitive bias can lead us into thought errors, in general it has given us an evolu-tionary advantage since it allowed us to take make sense of information even when certain connec-tions or patterns were not immediately perceivable. This inclination appears in a number of different ways, from spotting coincidences to finding hidden meaning in numbers or text. This tendency often leads people to formulate theories that are, at least, imaginative, but you cannot deny the attraction and the appeal that it produces in our imaginary. Just think of the many movies, TV series or books in which the hero has to decode a hidden massage from events or texts to solve a mystery or save the world. The Da Vinci Code, The Number 23, Knowing, The Bible Code, Lost, Touch, and Alias are only some examples in which mysticism, magical thinking and mystery are at the base of their success. These stories have fascinated us and kept us glued to the screen or pages of a book. In some cases they are so absurd that even in gullible people rational ob-jections arise. But this doesnt change the fact that we often want to believe certain stories of hidden connections among events, even if we know that they cannot be true. There is no evidence that they are true, since they are not scientifically testable an therefore lack proof of their validity.

Anyway, I still remember during a concert of Kyuss, a flock of birds over our heads began to draw incredible figures in constant motion. It seemed to me they were dancing to the music of Kyuss. Rationally, I knew that those two events were not related but I still like to think of.


Poetry by Lower East SideBilingual PoetYvonne Sotomayor

POEM #1

MC

Our sweet memories are tinged with vinegar

Theres nothing i can do

Sweet memories tinged with tears

Nothing i can say

Our sweet memories are stained with jellied bile

theres nothing i can change

Sweet memories bloated

With the corpulence of your lies

Sweet memories bludgeoned

But no one is the wiser

Sweet memories always pushed and pulled

Ripping at my heartstrings

Sweet memories told with half-truths

Remain always all too brief

MC

Nuestros dulces recuerdos estn teidos con vinagre

No hay nada que pueda hacer

Dulces recuerdos teidos con lgrimas

Nada que pueda decir

Nuestros dulces recuerdos estn manchadas con bilis gelatinosos

No hay nada que pueda cambiar

Dulces recuerdos hinchados

Con la corpulencia de tus mentiras

Dulces recuerdos golpeados

Pero nadie es el ms sabio

Dulces recuerdos siempre empujan y se tiran

Arrancando las fibras de mi corazn

Dulces recuerdos contados con verdades a medias

Permanecer siempre demasiado breve

POEM #2

PERCEPTION IN FLOW

Regret the hurt and pain

I could come no other way

Misguided by believing falsehoods

Told by the so-called inner circle

Have faith and trust

Take that leap with me

Is all misunderstood and temporal

Hey you want too much

I say the words and have to keep them too?!

Wheres the loyalty?

Just an old-fashioned notion?

Wheres the permanency of being who you are


Poetry by Lower East SideBilingual PoetYvonne Sotomayor

Too fleeting and transient nowadays

Quite the fall from disillusionment

A promise and a vow

Not necessarily to have and hold

So you let me slip away

Lamento el dao y el dolor

PERCEPCIN EN FLUJO

No podra venir de otra manera

Mal guiada por creer en falsedades

Contadas por el llamado crculo ntimo

Ten fe y confianza

Toma ese salto conmigo

Es todo mal entendida y temporal

Hey tu pides demasiado

Yo digo las palabras y tengo que cumplirlas tambin ?!

Dnde est la lealtad?

Slo una nocin pasada de moda?

Dnde est la permanencia de ser quien eres

Demasiado efmero y transitorio en la actualidad

Una buena cada de la desilusin

Una promesa y un voto

No necesariamente para tener y mantener

As que me dejaste ir

POEM #3

CONIUNCTIO INTERRUPTED

Truncated feelings expressed

Dilute the mood created

At once you grow near and ardent

Then leave- letting emotions crash

Upper limits abound in you

Repressing all thats good

Softness crushed yet again

You inspire angst and loneliness

Bringing out the frightened furor

Of rejected warmth and kindness

Instead filled with desolation and dryness

Old habits conspire to paint

A horrid picture of what could be

I will try and fight the natural way

And seek loves truth

And need your loyal company

Down this intimidating path

UNION INTERRUMPIDA

Sentimientos trancados y expresados

Diluyen el estado de nimo creado

A la vez eres cercano y ardiente

A la continuacin, dejas que las emociones caigan

Lmites a lo superior abundan en ti

Reprimiendo todo lo que es bueno

Suavidad aplastada de nuevo

Tu inspiras la angustia y la soledad

Sacando el furor miedozo

De la calidez y amabilidad rechazada

En su lugar llenando de desolacin y sequedad

Los viejos hbitos conspiran para pintar

Una imagen horrible de lo que podra ser

Voy a tratar de luchar contra la forma natural


Y buscar la verdad del amor

Y necesito tu compaa leal

Por este camino intimidante

POEM #4

JAGGED EDGES OF MY HEART

Jagged edges of my heart

Blood-red simplicity prevails in form

I cringe and crash the bottomless pit

In darkness rays pierce the night

Shiny noir pools refract the hate

Replenished and returned sharply

Forward movement propels distance

Vast expanse takes the dusk

Cool soulless banished flesh

Remains alive through emptiness

Insists itself though truth dispels

Seething wanton single creature

Flings the wrath and mighty fire

Received and given brutish scent

Piles on the words of yesterdays gone

Tonight, the morrow, are not the thoughts

The whiskeyed hubris of it all

Clenching pearls and knotted tripe

Screams within a tearful eye

Flared nostrils and a broken chest

Tense the muscles fingertips

Soften in daylight lips unfurl

Waves of tension still retain

Breaking through still unclear

Loves touch amiss

the wreckage left

hopes alive with open arms

scarred through wars

of lovers past remnants

fading through the blindness of our souls

I tremble, loathe, love and hold

You as this with me always..

FILOS ESCARPADOS DE MI CORAZON

Filos escarpados de mi corazon

Sangre roja sencillez prevalece en forma

Me choco y encogo en el pozo eterno

En la oscuridad rayos cortan la noche

Piscinas brillosas negras refractan el odio

Rellenas y deveueltas agudamente

Moviemiento adelante propulsa distancia

Imenso espacio toma el anochecer

Carne fria desalmada y expulsada

Queda viva a traves del vacio

Insiste en si misma aunque la verdad disipa

Bestia hirviiente, descontrolado y solo

Lanza la rabia y el poderoso fuego

Recibido y dado apeste bruto

Amontona palabras de los ayeres desaparecidos

Esta noche, manana, no son los pensamientos

La arrogancia alcolica es todo

Perlas apretadas y tripa nudosa

Gritos dentro del ojo lagrimoso

Fosa nasal acampanada y un pecho quebrado

Tensan los musculos de los dedos

Suaviza el amanecer labios desdoblan


Olas de tension todavia retienen

Rompiendo atraves lo poco claro

El toque amoroso faltando

Las ruinas qedan

Esperanza vive con brazos abiertos

Cicatrizada por guerras

De los restos de amantes pasados

Desvaneciendo por la seguera de nuestras almas

Yo tiemblo, odio, amo, y aguanto

A ti conmigo siempe..

POEM #5

Romance!

Love-locked and clenched

Beyond my hearts desire

Ensnared in the rapture

Unwinding trail

True are the colors

In despairs eye

Entranced and loving

I am held within you

Each a separate corner

Retreating and waiting

Recoiling and flying across

Bursting at the seams

What now seems forever

Is but a moment in time

Darkness wanders the sky

Thinking thoughts unsaid

Where are we going?

A vision in green

I see you now

Gentle kind and sweet

The roman of my dreams

Piercing cuts through me

Bleeding heartache and love

Arms and legs abound

Twisting juncture at the core

Meeting always

Dusty trails behind

Smiles and tongues at the ready

Give and take the rocking beat

A lullaby of two opposed

But always won

Amor!

Amor bloqueado y apretado

Mas alla del deseo de mi Corazon

Atrapado en el gozo

Camino desenrollando

Colores verdaderos

En el ojo del desespero

Cautivada y amorosa

Estoy dentro de ti

Cada uno en su esquina

Retrocediendo y esperando

Reculandonos y disparando pal otro lado

Reventando la costuras

Lo que ahora parece siempre

Es solo un momento temporal

La oscuridsd vaga por el cielo


Pensando pensamientos no mencionados

A donde vamos?

Una aparicion en verde

Te veo ahora

Tierno, benevolo, y amable

El romano de mis suenos

Cortes penetrantes me traspasan

Angustia sangrante y amor

Piernas y brazos abundan

Coyuntura revuelta en el nucleo

Encontrandonos siempre

Sendero polvoroso detras

Sonrisas y lenguas listas

Toman y dan el ritmo rockero

El arrulo de los dos opuestos

Pero siempre unidos

THEIR DESCENTUn-pitied ugliness

Who will rescue you?

steel notes magazine may 2016

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