Known for his collaborations with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters, Doyle Bramhall II, aka DB2, is a distinctive left-handed guitarist, who plays his instrument strung upside down, and bends strings downwards.
Influenced by his late father, the legendary drummer Doyle Bramhall, DB2 had lifelong collaborations with Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan. At the age of 18, he played with the Fabulous Thunderbirds with the Vaughens, then later formed the Arc Angels with Stevie Ray’s drummer Chris Layton, bassist Tommy Shannon along with Charlie Sexton. In his Flesh tour with Waters, he replaced Pink Floyd's lead singer and guitarist in the Pink Floyd songs. That’s flair.
DB2 is finally matching his impressive guitar skills with his songwriting knack, by putting his life stories in a complete package in 2016. Rich Man is DB2’s first release since 2001, playing multiple roles as singer, guitar player, songwriter and producer of his fourth studio album.
Shot in just two hours at a LA recording studio Lucy’s Meat Market, the video features the ever finest drummer James Gadson. The lines call to “recognize the consequences of your own behavior.” Enjoy your four minutes of blues power with retro graphics in the above video!
Our next video pick comes from the band, Babes. Their new video for “Wild Dreams” stars famed fitness and flexibility figure Jujimufu, with art by Protobacillus. The video showcases Jujimufu’s unique approach to fitness-- making it fun. He kicks, flips, and spins his way through psychedelic art. Coupled with Babes’s easygoing track and positive quotations from Jujimufu framing the screen, the video is a pleasant romp into the potentials of the human body.
The five piece is made up by siblings Aaron, Sarah, and Zach Leigh, and Jeffrey Baird and Bryan Harris. “Wild Dreams” comes from their full length album Untitled (Five Tears), currently available on SoundCloud, iTunes, or wherever you listen to music. Succinctly summed up by the band, “We play love songs cuz we feel bad and it makes us feel good.” If you find yourself feeling bad but don’t have the time to learn how to play an instrument or sing, give Babes a call on their hotline, 470-BABES-77 to talk.
Hot Tub Johnnie will be DJing at The Satellite on Monday, October 24th. Musicians Kosha Dillz, Mars and the Massacre, Black Crystal Wolf Kids, Pablo Dylan, and Alastair will be performing at this free event. With the vast range of sounds on tap, this show is bound to have something for everyone.
The Satellite is located at 1717 Silverlake Blvd in Los Angeles. The free show is ages 21+ and doors are at 8:30p.m. with show time at 9. Though the party will be going until 2a.m., make sure you get there in time to see these amazing artists. For more information, visit the event page here.
Kosha Dillz:
“His tracks, mainly produced via Jesse Shatkin (Sia, Murs, Santigold) have landed in various placements from Bud Light Superbowl commercials to the upcoming Sundance 2016 select The Skinny. He is even a playable character in NBA 2k11 / 2k13alongside Drake and Snoop Dogg, and his music has appeared on every website from Brooklyn Vegan to Billboard Magazine. He raps in Spanish, Hebrew, and English.”
Mars and the Massacre:
“Formed in early 2013, the group of martians has already gained a strong following in Los Angeles, being known particularly for their entrancing and unpredictable live shows. Members switching instruments is a common sight at a Mars and The Massacre show, as are bowed guitars, strange 1950s sci-fi samples, television sets, projectors, remote controls as picks, fake blood, and even fire dancing.”
Black Crystal Wolf Kids:
"Inspired by the audience participation of the Flaming Lips, the anything-goes attitude of The Henry Clay People, and the over-the-toppedness of 80s tribute bands like Fast Times, Black Crystal Wolf Kids are the world's first indie-rock tribute band, paying costumed, sing-along-encouraged homage to the best music of right now (from MGMT to Phoenix to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) as well as indie's storied past (Pavement; the Pixies; et al)."
Pablo Dylan:
"Pigeons and Planes, recently called Mulholland Drive "A New Anthem For The Kids" As a producer, LA-based artist Pablo Dylan has worked with OG Maco, A$AP Rocky, D.R.A.M., and Raury, but his favorite band is The Clash and he names Kanye West as an influence. His skill set and eclectic taste inform a sound that wouldn't have made any sense 10 years ago."
Alastair:
"Originally from Glasgow Scotland, Alastair has almost as much whiskey as he does electronic music running through his veins. His inventive style vaporizes minds on dance floors throughout San Francisco, Burning Man and beyond. Alastair tastefully blends the sounds of smooth Deep House with the rolling melodies of Tech House, dirty synth-driven Techno and unique flavors of Indie Dance/Nu Disco. This makes Alastair's sets a complex and vivid journey every time he takes the controls."
The multi-platinum rock band Stryper will return to their signature yellow and black on Friday October 14th at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic album - To Hell with the Devil.
Whether you have been a longtime fan of Stryper or have just recently discovered their amazing music, Friday’s show at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium will surely be a one for the ages. The band, comprised of all four original members including Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Oz Fox, and Timothy Gaines, will be playing in it's entirety their 1986 Grammy nominated album, To Hell with the Devil.
Released by Enigma Records on October 24, 1986, To Hell with the Devil was the band’s third studio album and the first Christian metal album to achieve platinum status. Throughout 1987, the music videos for "Free" and "Honestly" ranked #1 on MTV’s list of most requested videos, and the video for "Calling on You" reached #2. Stryper was the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously.
“Thirty years ago we made the record To Hell with the Devil,” says frontman Michael Sweet. “It was a turning point for the band. We saw how amazing our fans are, and the work God had planned for this band. We went from playing clubs to arenas, and we saw lives changed in the most miraculous of ways. We never imagined we would still be here thirty years later alongside the best fans in the world. We’re looking forward to hitting the road and seeing all our fans and friends that have helped keep the fire burning, all these years.”
Hunnypot Unlimited’s Matthew Belter recently had a chance to catch up with Stryper's Michael Sweet to discuss the 30th anniversary of the To Hell with the Devil LP. Michael shares some insight into this iconic album along with a preview of their upcoming show at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.
Michael Sweet Interview – Part I
We’re quickly approaching To Hell with the Devil’s 30-year anniversary (I believe the release date was October 24th, 1986). Looking back, are you surprised that this album was Stryper’s most successful?
I think it was the most commercial album we did, and that's part of the reason it was so commercially successful. I think everything aligned perfectly at that moment in time. The look, the sound, the label, the market, all that stuff. To Hell with the Devil is one of my favorites, it wouldn't be my favorite though. My favorite albums by a landslide would be Solders Under Command, and then a tie for No More Hell to Pay and Fallen, the two most recent Stryper albums.
Knowing that “Honestly” was the biggest single off of THWTD, was there a song that you felt might have been bigger or even a bit underappreciated?
Aw man, we're playing “Holding On” lately, and I love that song. It's a more pop song, but it's just got something really cool about it. I love “Rockin the World” too, and we're playing that one on this tour as well.
I’ve always wondered why THWTD’s original album cover seemed to cause so much controversy. The original art was amazing and yet was fairly tame in comparison to some of albums that were released that same year. What was this controversy all about?
Well, we released it with the angel artwork, and they were casting Satan into the pit, the four angels, and there was a pentagram necklace that was being ripped from Satan's neck and thrown off into the distance. A lot of the Christian book stores took that as we just had a pentagram on our album. They felt offended by that and upset about it. They were even threatening to discontinue carrying the album. They weren't going to stock it. We decided to play nice and redo the album cover, and we did with just the black cover and the red lettering, that's what happened. And it's just because that side of the fence, the Christian side, especially at that time, it was so controversial. They didn't know what to think of Stryper.
You’re currently touring to support the 30th anniversary of THWTD. What are your initial thoughts of the tour so far?
We've only got 5 shows under our belt (out of 36) - so the tour really has just begun. But so far, it's been really amazing. We're starting to get into a flow in terms of how the set is performed and played and gone through. We're starting to feel like we've got it down and it usually takes a little while to start to feel that. Looking out at the crowds and seeing the reaction from the crowds, the smiles, the energy, just the reaction of everybody, it’s really been cool. It's going over fantastic so far.
Stay tuned to Hunnypot Unlimited in the weeks ahead for additional coverage of Stryper’s 30th Anniversary To Hell with the Devil tour including a full concert review, photos, and Part II of our interview with Michael Sweet.
For more information on Stryper’s 30th Anniversary To Hell With the Devil Tour (including Tickets and VIP Meet & Greet Packages), please visit www.stryper.com. Tickets for the fall tour are going fast and are expected to sell-out in most cities.
Hilariously saucy, Steel Panther are more than just a group of psychotic heavy metal musicians. They also live the exaggerated on-stage personae that parody the stereotypical 1980s "glam metal" lifestyle. This time they decide to take down Cheap Trick’s “She’s Tight” and make it their own, featuring cameos of the original band’s frontman Robin Zander.
Pillow fights spit feathers, Steel Panther’s videos flares up with fly people. Paris-Michael Jackson (King of Pop’s daughter), Bobbie Brown (who claims to be Lexxi’s mom now), Tony Palermo from Papa Roach are all cameoing in the video!
The band says, “‘She’s Tight’ is Steel Panther’s ‘sexified’ version of the Cheap Trick song”. It was a dream came true for Michael Starr when his hero Robin Zander agreed to appear in the video.
Don’t miss this cover of the 1982 track with skin that’s left out of the classic hit, with hints of sexy highlights.
Greta Kline is a sort of kid-wonder, posting upwards of 45 albums and EPs on Bandcamp and releasing her first album under the alias Frankie Cosmos, Zentropy, by age 19. Additionally, by this time in her life she had already had a stint as bassist of the indie-synth band Porches with boyfriend/lead singer Aaron Maine. Their relationship is one which many Frankie Cosmos-aged fans like myself ogle over, and the cross references between their music definitely helps. Now 22, her aesthetic is that of a cutesy twelve-year-old boy, but with a touch of the muted, New York “sad girl” that makes her music so endearing. Through her social media presence I felt like I personally knew her, and when I entered the venue and found her socializing amongst the crowd it was pretty surreal.
Her two openers gave me mixed feelings. I definitely enjoyed Soar, but also felt like their sound was more of the Girlpool-esque angsty girl rock that is popping up all over the indie scene right now. Iji received much more mixed reviews amongst my friends. They’re a spunky disco surf-rock type band, with a Growlers type aesthetic and a keys/guitar combination that somehow reminded me of Vampire Weekend. In contrast with Frankie Cosmos they were surprisingly happy and upbeat, and when they brought Frankie on for a set the crowd turned into a small party. However, they were too sugary-sweet for a lot of my friends, and after coming home and listening to their music afterwards, I have come to feel the same way.
However, Frankie was infinitely better than I expected. Not that I was waiting for anything bad, but I expected the somewhat low-key performance that I see from so many other lyrical indie-rockers today. Instead, she was upbeat, quirky, and playful. She stood on her tip-toes to get to the mic, and her go-to dance move was a straight-legged hip-rocking sway between outstretched fists, mixed with a bunch of spins and hopping around. In short, she danced like a sugar-high twelve-year-old, and I couldn’t stop grinning. She played all her hits, starting with the new and then (to the audience’s delight) working her way towards the old. She was charming, charismatic, and performed with an honesty that complimented an intimate venue like the Starline Social Club perfectly. I left feeling uplifted, refreshed, and in a genuinely good mood. I will definitely be seeing her the next time she comes through town.
Veronica Irwin (Hunnypot Editor at Large)
@vronirwin
Photo Credit: Zach Gomez
Need something to do on Saturday afternoon? Drag yourself out of bed and head to The Zoo’s patio! Art, live painting, a DJ set by our own Hot Tub Johnnie, open mic, BBQ, and tons more fun! What else could you ask for?
The Zoo is located next to The Mint, at 6006 W. Pico Blvd in LA, and there is no cover! Join us and special guests Dean (@IsaacIrvinMusic) and Melinda West from @SugarRumTantrum from 3pm-9pm on Saturday, October 8th.
Our next video pick is William Control’s newest video, “The Monster.” William Control, fronted by William Francis of late punk band Aiden, is at it again with upcoming EP, The Pale. It’s the first of a series of EPs that will culminate as an album project titled Revelations. The dance track “The Monster” shares traits from its predecessors in the William Control catalogue, including catchy rhythm and lyrics. New fans will notice a gothic theme to the music, but in an accessible way. Everyone has their monsters, within and without, and as such can likely find something to vibe with in this song. Old fans of William Control will be excited to dance along to this track.
The video, directed by Terrence Matlin, accompanies its track in following Francis’ journey into the inner self. The black and white video even gives off a noir feeling, from Francis’ troubled stares into bathroom mirrors to the mysterious, anonymous stranger, and nighttime drives through bustling streets and tunnels. Watch until the end to see Francis and fellow bandmates Ben Tourkantonis, Kenneth Fletcher, and Ian MacWilliams find their dark(er) sides!
The Pale EP releases on October 14th. William Control will be playing a brief run of Synths and Sinners tour dates in Chicago shortly following the release.
Eccentric and defiant, the Grammy-nominated Colombian electro-cumbia band starred a poised and confident young warrior in their latest music video “Soy Yo,” proud of herself being unique, and unbothered by judgments from the outside world.
Through the media and commercials, people are constantly brainwashed by monopolies, big brands and narrow beauty standards. This video is certainly a self-confident booster that celebrates diversity in harmony, countering the mainstream standards. It reminds us of the importance of our inner peace and beauty.
As Bomba Estereo's Li Saumet reveals to Billboard, both the song and the video addresses topics of “bullying and intolerance, issues that worry all of us.” Directed by Danish director Torben Kjelstrup, who won the open-submission idea contest for the music video, brought out additional missive: We should be proud of our true selves, because we are all special in some ways. Why bother feeding to everyone’s taste?
Be sure to check out the music video. Pay attention to the serious recorder-playing skills and killer dance moves of the little girl rocking in overalls!
The Specials are by far one of the most influential ska bands of all-time. Founded in 1977, their unique brand of music helped to revive a little-known genre originating in Jamaica in the late 1950’s. The Specials fusion of traditional ska music with a formidable punk rock attitude and danceable rocksteady beats took the World by storm with a sound so unique it was re-branded 2 Tone. Who would have thought that four decades and over 20 albums later, this little-know group of from Coventry, England would still be around, playing the music they love at packed houses all around the world? At the time, probably not too many. However, The Specials have withstood the test of time and are still one of the most incredible bands to ever hit the stage. Their sold-out show at the House of Blues in San Diego on September 26th was no exception and failed to disappoint the legions of fans in attendance.
After an energetic set from The Far East (which by the way was brilliant in their own right), The Specials took the stage and opened with the 1981 classic “Ghost Town”. It was just want what the doctor ordered to get the anxious crowd off their feet and skanking to the beat for what would be a show like no other in downdown San Diego’s famous gas lamp district. For the next 2 hours, the nearly one-thousand fans in attendance were captivated by The Specials and their amazing setlist featuring 23 standards including hits such as “Nite Klub”, “Gangsters”, and "Concrete Jungle" Covers of Danny Livingstone’s “A Message to You, Rudy” and the Toots & Maytals “Monkey Man” were crowd favorites that continued to pump energy into an already rabid crowd. The night ended with a three-song encore with the Skatalites cover, “You’re Wondering Now”, capping off the evening’s amazing setlist.
If you happened to be one of the lucky ones in attendance Monday night at the House of Blues, you were most certainly treated to an amazing evening music from one of the most influential bands of our time. The Specials, led by Lynval Golding, Horace Panter, and Terry Hall, let it all hang out with a truly memorable performance that undoubtedly left the sold out San Diego crowd wanting more. Wire to wire, The Specials were loose, energetic, and musically spot on the entire show. And gauging the crowds’ energy all night long, I think it’s safe to say they were dialed in as well. As the show came to a close and the houselights flickered on, I noticed that most in attendance were thoroughly drenched with sweat from a night of non-stop dancing with a thousand of their closest friends. And in a time when the most of us are caught up in a day-to-day "Rat Race", who wouldn't want to spend an evening like this? Until next time......
Stay Frosty and Rock On!