I’m going to start off my review with this, 5 years ago when Bebble Rocker Kabaka Pyramid hit us with Kontraband, his first album which was produced by Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, I thought it was a near perfect album. I still think it is one of the best albums released in the last five years. So when it was announced he would be releasing a new album, I was so excited to hear it, but also a little worried, how can he top Kontraband? He worked with Jr Gong again producing the sophomore album, with Stephen Marley and Young Pow as well. The fifteen-track album has reggae artist he normally collaborates with in Damian Marley, Black-Am-I, Protoje, Jesse Royal and new contributors Buju Banton, Stephen “Ragga” Marley and Jemere Morgan. The Kalling is an evolution of his craft, his lyrics, his music, and his growth.
The album starts off with a sample of Peter Tosh and his 1979 hit "Mystic Man", we hear Peter Tosh; “cause I'm a man of the past, and I'm living in the present, and I'm walking in the future.” This is a song that celebrates both music artists as Kabaka explains why he thinks they are both Mystic Men. You get the feeling it will be a roots reggae tune, but he turns into a nice hip-hop/reggae track. "Red Gold and Green" and "Kontraband 2" have Damian and Kabaka teaming up again with sizzling lyrics and reggae roots/dancehall beats and rhythms. "Red Gold and Green", Kabaka says is the most important song on the project, it is about the symbolic meaning to the colors and Rastafari principle of balanced lifestyle. "Kontranad 2"is a sweet hip-hop song with typical lyrics from both artists. He did two tracks with Jemere Morgan, the first being Grateful, which starts with a soulful 70’s sound and then switches up tempo and vibes as Kabaka hits real hard with his fast rapping and amazing lyrics. These two work so well together with Jemere’s beautiful singing matched with Kabaka’s amazing lyrics. On "Energy", we here more soulful singing by Jemere with passionate lyrics and vibes from Kabaka. This is a funky, fun song. You can’t help but get up and dance.
Whether it is "Make Things Work", about putting in your proper work ethic, Or "Stand Up" with Nathalia, about many of the issues going on it todays world and how we can do something to make a change. To "Mr. Rastaman" with Tifa about the difference between Rasta vs non-Rasta life. On this Latin-infused rhythm, Tifa hits slow and sexy which matches perfectly with Kabaka answering to her line after line. And with "Addiction", produced by Stephen Marley, Kabaka criticizes our world and its addiction to social media with an irie hip-hop and roots slower beat. Each track with great beats, rhythms, collaborations and of course lyrics with great messages.
"The Kalling" is his first collaboration with Stephen Marley which also has Protoje and Jesse Royal taking turns on the lyrics. This may be one of the most important songs on the album, urging the yutes to represent the Rasta culture and to help them find some light in this modern-day darkness. “When yuh tek up Rasta banner do nuh tek fi nuh joke, it's more than the locks upon yuh head and what yuh smoke. The words dem that yuh spoke, the energies yuh evoke, them must be a reflection of the king!” This brings us to my favorite track on the album (which is really hard with so many great tracks), "Fade Away" with Buju Banton. This was a huge shock to see Buju on a song with Kabaka, because Buju usually only works with a small group of artists. These are two of my favorite music artists and they work so well together. I would love to see more collaborations between them. This takes me back to the 90’s with a solid Buju-esque vibe from back in the day, with a nice modern feel with Kabak’s style and lyrics. Buju hits so hard like always and Kabaka flows so well. And an additional surprise is hearing Junior Byles with the chorus from his song "Fade Away", bringing three generations of reggae together on this masterpiece.
I know why Kabaka Pyramid is the Lyrics Deity. He put me at ease, because this has topped Kontraband, and while Kontraband is still one of my top albums the past five years, The Kalling may be my favorite album. "The Kalling is really about my journey in music being for a higher purpose, not just to get rich or popular, but to inspire a higher vibration in whoever listens. While the majority seek pleasure and sense gratification, there are a few who the Most High kall upon to keep the balance inna earth. Music is what I use to answer the kall and you can feel it throughout this album." This quote from Kabaka sums it up best, this is about his journey, and not just about putting out new music, it has a higher purpose, it inspires that higher vibration.
One Love - Todd
DIGITAL RELEASE [Ghetto Youths International]
Release date: 09/30/2022
TRACKS
01. Mystik Man feat. Peter Tosh
02. Red Gold and Green feat. Damian Marley
03. Make Things Work
04. Grateful feat. Jemere Morgan
05. Stand Up feat. Nathália
06. Safe Right Here
07. Mr. Rastaman feat. Tifa
08. The Kalling feat. Stephen Marley, Jesse Royal & Protoje
09. Faded Away feat. Buju Banton
10. Addiction
11. Energy feat. Jemere Morgan
12. Mary Jane feat. Black-Am-I
13. EZ Ride
14. Life Is Everything feat. Answele
15. Kontraband Pt. 2 feat. Damian Marley
PRODUCED BY
FEATURED ARTISTS
Buju Banton / Protoje / Jesse Royal / Stephen Marley / Damian Marley / Jemere Morgan / Black-Am-I / Tifa / Peter Tosh
Alice Longyu Gao is a Chinese singer-songwriter based in New York and Los Angeles. Longyu means “dragon and universe,” her last name Gao means “Magnificent.” Alice is a professionally trained musician, with piano and voice as her instruments. Along with her academic music background, Alice has made her name in the world of fashion and art, having supplied music for fashion shows and deejaying for Juicy Couture, DIESEL, LVMH/Hennessy, Marian Goodman Gallery, Asia Society, Parrish Art museum, M.A.C Cosmestics, Milk Makeup, Nike, Warner Music Group, A$AP Mob, V Magazine/Charlie XCX, Dr. Martens, NIKE, Coachella/NYLON Magazine, Refinery 29 and PAPER Magazine. Her debut single was a song in Japanese called "Princess of Manifestation".
More recently, Alice released her latest single "Make u 3 Me". The song opens with an increasingly creepy chant of "I'll make you love me" with a growing screeching metal accompaniment. It then transitions into a happier pop-sounding verse. The song tells the story of Alice as a girl who is smitten with a love interest who led her into thinking the interest was mutual but disappointed her when the time came to meet up. The song goes on to tell the interest she would make them love her and details her obsession and determination to do so.
The music video fits the sonic duality between the cute anime girl persona that Alice is dressed as and the crazy obsession in the lyrics. Set on a farm, the video shows Alice frolicking in hay, smiling and playing with alpacas, but also has night shots of her in the dark making psychotic faces and dancing maniacally. Check out the video here!
-MYK LORENZO
THE CULT
CONFIRMS INTIMATE SHOW AT THE ROXY THIS FRIDAY
OCTOBER 7TH
NEW ALBUM - UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN - DROPS THE SAME DAY VIA BLACK HILL RECORDS
On Tour Now - Dates Include The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles October 9 with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + King Woman + Skeleton Joe
On October 7 The Cult will release their new album, Under The Midnight Sun via Black Hill Records. Today they announce a record-release show that evening at The Roxy in Los Angeles. Doors are at 7:30 PM and tickets are on-sale now, available HERE. This show is in addition to the previously-announced date at LA’s The Greek Theatre on October 9 with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as direct support plus King Woman and Skeleton Joe. The Cult are currently touring North American - all dates are listed below and tickets are available here.
"Ian Astbury remains a feisty, fiery frontman... He can still wail too." BrooklynVegan
Under the Midnight Sun was produced by Tom Dalgety (Pixies, Ghost, Royal Blood). The band have shared two singles off the LP - the recent “A Cut Inside” and the debut single “Give Me Mercy.” Pre-order Under the Midnight Sun HERE.
“Rock’s unquenchable melodramatists have the fire in their eyes still - [investing] those primal energies with the wisdom of age, creating something fresh and powerful… Which is surely what a great Cult album is all about.” Mojo Magazine
“It sounds mighty impressive” Rock Candy
“The definition of musical genius” Powerplay
"...Under the Midnight Sun... has all of the hallmarks of a Cult gem..." LA Weekly
“Founders Ian Astbury (lead vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitars, backing vocals), emerge once again re-energized and inspired as ever, with their eleventh offering, Under the Midnight Sun.” Cryptic Rock
“(Under The Midnight Sun) shows a band back in form” Vancouver Sun
“‘Give Me Mercy’ feels classically Cult, as the band envelope their gothic rock influences with a modern sheen.” Consequence
“‘Give Me Mercy’ sounds like a classic Cult song thanks to Astbury’s commanding vocals and guitarist Billy Duffy’s melodic riffs…though sonically it feels like a throwback, the lyrical content speaks to today’s social climate.” LA Daily News
***
When the sun just wouldn’t leave the sky one evening in Finland, Ian Astbury took notice. Walking the grounds of the Provinssirock festival, Astbury found himself reveling in the surreal, almost occult moment that comes with the “midnight sun,” the summer stretch where the sun doesn’t go down north of the Arctic Circle. “It’s three in the morning, the sun’s up, and there’s all these beautiful people in this halcyon moment,” Astbury remembers. “People are laying on the grass, making out, drinking, smoking. There were rows of flowers at the front of the stage from the performances earlier that evening. It was an incredible moment.” While reviewing archival footage of the performance, Astbury found new mysticism in that moment and imbued it into the forthcoming Under the Midnight Sun.
Leading to 2020, The Cult had been on a rolling cycle of releasing albums, touring, and recording. As the world shut down and everyone was forced to reprioritize the way they approached life and work. “When the world stopped, I had this moment to write in real time, to calculate,” says Astbury. When lockdown lifted and the group could meet to record, they teamed up with Dalgety. “I was compelled by this vision, this anomaly, this memory, of being under the midnight sun. Tom helped us bring a new musical shape and frequency to our process.”
Lyrically, Under the Midnight Sun bolsters that new musical dexterity by building out from the idyllic and surreal vision at its title. Throughout, Astbury pulls in influences from Brian Jones, Brion Gysin, William Burroughs, Buddhism, the Beats, and the Age of Aquarius, all shaded with the lingering threat of the present and the timeless Cult color palette.
As The Cult are now returning to performing live and sharing Under the Midnight Sun, Astbury hopes that the record connects to something deep within and subconscious in their listeners—something Astbury found within himself when given the moment to look for it. “At the core of it all, music contains the vibrational frequency of how we once communicated before we could even speak,” he says. “Bird songs, animal calls, string theory, quantum physics, psychedelics. The record ultimately is about finding and uniting beauty in those strangely natural moments.”
The Cult Tour Dates - new dates in bold
Oct 7 - The Roxy - Los Angeles, CA
Oct 9 - The Greek Theatre - Los Angeles, CA #*&
Nov 11 - Snoqualmie - Snoqualmie Casino – Snoqualmie Ballroom
Nov 13 - Ridgefield, WA - Ilani Events Center
Nov 16 - Monterey, CA - Golden State Theatre
Nov 17 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield*
Nov 19 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre*
Nov 20 - Chandler, AZ - Gila River Hotel & Casino-Wild Horse Pass-The Showroom
# - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club support
% - Zola Jesus support
* - King Woman support
& - Skeleton Joe
The Pretty Reckless and rising star Ayron Jones both released amazing rock albums in 2021 that landed in my top 5 albums of the year. When The Pretty Reckless came to town for a stop on their Death by Rock and Roll tour supported by Ayron Jones, I knew it would be a double-shot night of kick ass rock I couldn’t miss.
I had my first taste of Ayron Jones live in January of this year, opening for Shinedown. Ayron and his four-piece band out of Seattle put on an energetic grungy blues rockin’ set that solidified my instincts that these dudes were on their way to a breakout year. Eight months later, after winning over crowds all over Europe and North American, including a dream gig opening for The Rolling Stones in Paris, Ayron and band were in top form. Each band member was fun to watch, lots of smiles, laughs, and eye contact with the fired up audience. They were clearly having the time of their lives rocking the packed House of Blues crowd. While still riding the wave of his successful 2021 album Child of the State, the 36 year old Ayron just released a killer new tune “Filthy” in late August, so be sure and check that new tune out.
The Pretty Reckless first hit my radar in 2016 when I heard the fast-paced rocker “Oh My God” on satellite radio. The loud and ripping guitar riffs and pounding drums were awesome (think Soundgarden sonically), but it was the powerful female vocals of Taylor Momsen that caught my attention the most. More recently, Taylor and band were reeling from the death of friend Chris Cornell in 2017 and then the band’s producer Kato Khandwala in a tragic motorcycle accident in 2018. They poured their emotions into their 2021 album Death by Rock and Roll – and created a well-crafted masterpiece well-received by both fans and critics alike. The album includes gentle beautiful melodic pop for mainstream ears but also some raw kick you in the teeth rockers, complete with guest appearances by Soundgarden members and Tom Morello. Due to the unpredictable nature of touring in 2021 due to Covid still lingering, The Pretty Reckless chose to wait out the year and unleash their Death by Rock and Roll tour upon the world in April 2022. After impressing music fans all summer long with a live show built to showcase Taylor’s incredible talents, the band was ready to take on San Diego.
The show started appropriately with “Death by Rock and Roll”; the opening title track off the new album. With dark eye makeup, black leather jacket, silky slip dress, and grungy black combat boots with 3 inch platform soles, Taylor took the stage with an aura of fierceness, beauty, gracefulness, and passion - one bad ass female rock and roll vocalist. Taylor’s wide vocal range and control were just phenomenal, delivering both delicate high pitch notes and blasting gravelly outbursts like she just smoked three cigars. She also showed off that sassiness by dedicating “Witches Burn” to “all those women who’ve been f****d over by a man!” and the crowd went nuts. A big takeaway from the show was how familiar the predominant twenty and thirty-something fans were with all the songs. Even tracks like “Make Me Wanna Die” and “Zombie” off the debut 2010 album “Light Me Up” were met with familiarity and enthusiasm.
It’s hard to take your eyes off Taylor – she was constantly dancing, gyrating, spinning, her long blonde hair flying all over the place while belting out incredible vocals. I must put Taylor at the top of my favorite female rock vocalists – she has it all! The Pretty Reckless soon head out on an 18 city European tour in October as they continue their plan to take over the world.
Be well and keep rockin’! - Greg Vitalich
Hunnypot is proud to be the official sync representative, both Masters & Publishing, for Killa F, G5yve, and YC Lopez, members of the hip hop group, FiNaTTiCz. The quartet recorded "Don't Drop That", with producer YC Lopez on the beat. The song became referenced by fans as "The Thun Thun Song" and therefore was released under the official title "Don't Drop That Thun Thun" and became a worldwide hit. In 2012, a remix which featured Tyga was released, and FiNaTTiCz were subsequently signed to the label E1 Music.
The individual members of the group are currently active on solo projects, as well as continue to perform and release "RACHET BOPS" as The FiNaTTiCz and perform shows all over the world.
Lots of debut performances by: Alexi Paraschos, Karina Magallon, Jaee The Artist, and Electric Lecture Listen to the podcast of the night. Photos: J. Gray Additional Photos: Asia Renee
Karina Magallon is an artist/songwriter that combines pop and latin RnB creating Spaniglish romantic music. She is known for her feel good music, spanglish lyrics, and whistle notes.
She has been recognized as finalist for the Grammy U Songwriting Showcase 2021 and semi finalist in the Latin music genre at the International Songwriting Competition 2022. Her latest release is “Avión” which is the third single off of her EP, ”Island Day”.
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It has been said that taking care of business will get you far in life. Many disciplined artists truly understand that. Jeanetta Blue, businesswoman also know as Jaee The Artist, was born April 23, 1996 in St. Louis, Missouri. As a child, she was back and forth from LA to STL. Jaee mentions "The music business in my experience is 90% business and 10% music. All I can say is teamwork really will make the dream work. My dreams are now reality. I tap into energy with my work. My music will either leave you inspired or make you want to set boundaries in your current situation. Either result is a win."
Jaee creates music from the heart. Who better to explain the way a woman thinks and behaves than another woman? Jaee The Artist connects with women from life and first hand experience as a woman. She uses this to heal past traumas buried deep in the emotions of women and helps the fellas better understand their role in the experience. ? The goal is for the fellas to feel comfortable loving, understanding and connecting with a woman. Whether it's his mom, aunt, niece, cousin, sister, daughter, wife, friend or partner. Jaee The Artist is deeply rooted in her feminine energy, but balances out with her masculine energy. Stay tuned. www.jaeetheartist.com
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Upon graduating college in 2009, Alexi went to work at an insurance company. But when he was spending most of his days at his cubicle writing lyrics for what would end up becoming the company song, he knew he was in the wrong place. And he realized that if he could write a love song about an insurance company, he could write about anything.
Called "blue-eyed soul for the 21st century," Alexi is originally from the Boston area but called Philadelphia home for the last seven years, until moving to L.A. in January. He has performed at SXSW 2017, been featured in numerous media outlets like the New York Times, ThisisRnB.com, and soultracks.com, and, after running a successful $12,000 Kickstarter, he and his band executed an innovative, ten city “East Coast Diner Tour,” putting on full, live concerts in mom-and-pop diners from Boston to Atlanta. For his latest project, “Love Odyssey,” Alexi draws upon his father’s Greek heritage by transporting listeners to a world of endless, old school romanticism, with its groove-heavy R&B musical stylings and lyrics that reflect the joy of being in love. With musical comparisons to Robin Thicke and Michael Jackson and album features from hip-hop legend Jadakiss, Grammy Award winner Chrisette Michele, and additional appearances by Amina Buddafly, T3 (Slum Village), and Natalie Stewart (Floetry), Alexi is poised to demonstrate that traditional, heartfelt love songs are not dead.
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Los Angeles’ group Electric Lecture are the combined creative forces of Greg Ansin, Bronson Taalbi and Anthony J. Resta The story of Electric Lecture started in 1991, in Massachusetts. Before Bronson was even born., the third member of the group, produced a record called “Secede” for a band called Sleight of Hand. Greg played guitar in that group. They have been friends and making music since that time. Fast forward to 2019, at a Los Angeles club where Ansin asked Bronson ““if he had rehearsal space?” Bronson said, “No.” So the journey began in what would become Electric Lecture and their debut album due out this fall. Compelled by impossible forces, guided by convictions of indifference, the three musicians are about to give a lecture... and it's going to be....... ELECTRIC.
This single “What If,” off the forthcoming self-titled album, out this fall, started from a guitar riff Anthony played one night and recorded on his phone and is a tongue-in-cheek look at conspiracy theories and the terror of “What if....” it all actually worked out. “We try to not take ourselves too seriously,” Greg explains about the songwriting process. “But it's hard not to sometimes. We just want to speak up. So we try to keep the words light with an underlying message.”
The music is a mix of XTC, Tom Petty, and Beck. Each member of the group plays multiple instruments. Bronson handles the lead vocals while Anthony and Greg lend in the background. Recorded at their practice space in Lawndale and Laurel Canyon where there is always music in the air.
The diverse backgrounds of the three musicians are the key ingredient in what gives Electric Lecture its unique flavor. Resta is a multi-instrumental musician having earned twelve RIAA certified gold and multi-platinum awards for bands such as Duran Duran, Collective Soul, and Shawn Mullins. Ansin is a prolific songwriter and film producer, having produced numerous documentaries and horror films including Drive-In Horrorshow and Infinite Santa 8000. Bronson is a multi-instrumentalist and master guitarist. He along with his brother, Preston, are the “Taalbi Brother.” Their energetic music has been featured in shows such as Dancing with the Stars, has been the musical narration in of the most iconic scenes in Breaking Bad.
“ I grew up listening to the Beatles, Tom Petty, the Beach Boys, especially Pet Sounds,” says Resta. I love adventurous sonic innovators like Beck and Bjork. I feel like Electric Lecture is a wonderful vehicle for me to express myself in the purest musical way I can. It's all a dream really.”
Hunnypot has been a fan of FiNaTTiCz since their 2012 blowup single "Don't Drop That Thun Thun". Members YC Lopez and G5yve just released a video for their songs "9 Days" and "Adam Sandler". The mashup is a classic hood anthem with "9 Days" detailing a typical weekend of meeting women and going out on the town.
The video paints the picture of visiting the strip club, getting a haircut, and riding around counting money before it transitions into the more serious setting of "Adam Sandler". The second song outlines the trials they face in the neighborhood, specifically tension with the haters. The scene overlooks the landscape of Los Angeles as the duo explain the effort they put in to get their money and how their competitors are fighting to keep up with their progress. Over a game of dice, they narrate their perseverance in their work and their success despite the odds placed against them. "9 Days" and "Adam Sandler" appear on the album Struggle in Paradise.
A Nashville-based musician, Josh Mack paints from a broad musical palette. The Middletown, Ohio native’s sound combines the rich storytelling of folk, the raw emotion and grit of blues, and a rock & roll edge. These influences are top-coated with a layer of psychedelic haze to create an atmospheric, multi-layered listening experience that has drawn comparisons to famed contemporaries like The Black Keys and Queens of the Stone Age.
Josh is a prolific songwriter and recording artist releasing over 40 songs since 2018. A seasoned live performer, Josh has developed a reputation for his spellbinding guitar work, helping him to blossom into one of Music City’s most intriguing young artists.
Hunnypot is proud to be Josh Mack's official sync representative both Masters & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING!
By Brandon “B-Mac” McCarthy, Photos by Matt “Rabit” Martinez
As long as I have been a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, my favorite frontman has been Sammy Hagar. Better known as the Red Rocker, Hagar blew people’s minds with his high energy, incredible stage presence, and his tenor voice that was, nay “is,” the stuff of legends. His first taste of success came from fronting Montrose, and then he embarked on a successful career as a solo artist in the early 80s, establishing his reputation as the Red Rocker. Then in 1985, his life was catapulted to a new atmosphere, as he became the new frontman for Van Halen, in which they created four albums that were both multi-platinum and #1 on the charts. He departed from in Van Halen in 1996 due to infighting, and he continued his solo career as well as creating various supergroups (the Waboritas, Chickenfoot, and the Circle) as well as his own brands of tequila and rum. To commemorate nearly 50 years in the music scene as well as promote the new upcoming Circle album, Crazy Times, Sammy and the Circle embarked on a huge summer tour with boogie-blues rocker George Thorogood & the Destroyers. One of their stops included Irvine at the FivePoint Amphitheater, where Rabit & I attended. Having experienced a weeklong heat wave, Sammy looked to rise the temperature even more.
First up for the night was George Thorogood & the Destroyers. Rabit and I first saw him at the OC Fair back in 2019, and it was great to see these boogie rogues at it again. Thorogood is such an underrated guitarist. They give him credit, just not enough. The man relies on his thumb and fingers to strum, and when he does, rock ‘n’ roll magic comes out of his signature White Fang ES-125 TDC. His voice is still as rough and tough as it was back in the 70s and 80s. Along with longtime Destroyers in drummer Jeff Simon, bassist Billy Blough, rhythm guitarist Jim Suhler, and saxophonist Buddy Leach, Thorogood came to Irvine to rock hard and party harder. Hearing his classics (both originals and covers) like “Rock Party,” Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?,” the Sonics “Shot Down,” the Strangelovers’ “Night Time,” “I Drink Alone,” Amos Milburn’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Gear Jammer,” and “Get a Haircut” sounded so sweet. The venue really came to life when finished up with his signature bad boy tune, “Bad to the Bone.” Just as bad as ever, Thorogood is a boogie-jiving devil with a guitar.
After a 30 minute intermission where I grabbed myself a Strawberry Rum Lemonade (made with Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar Rum), we were ready for “Crazy Times” with Sammy Hagar and the Circle. Donning his dark shades, white jeans, and black t-shirt, the Red Rocker became a party machine equipped with tequila. The man is 74 years old, but damn does he still like a man in late 20s. Longtime amigo and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony was keeping the groove as smooth as he could, showing the world why he is still one of the best hard rock bassists around. On guitar is another Hagar compadre, Vic Johnson of the BusBoys and Waboritas. This man is truly gifted on the axe, adding some soul and funk to the hard rock riffs & solos. Rounding out the Circle is drumming legacy and legend in his own right, Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham). I have seen Jason many times, and his consistency & power on the kit is impeccable. Together, the Circle are whole and full of rock energy.
What was amazing about the evening was the set list that was put together. Not only did they play a bunch of Sammy’s classics like “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” “Three Lock Box,” “Mas Tequila,” “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” and “Eagles Fly,” they even played a bunch of Van Halen tunes that Sammy is known for, and it is songs I have been wanting to hear live for a long time. From “Poundcake” to “Top of the World,” “Finish What Ya Started,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Loved,” it sounded so glorious. I am sure Eddie Van Halen was smiling from heaven, especially at how well Johnson nailed the famed solos. The Circle even performed “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love,” with Anthony handling the lead vocals and crushing it. To pay homage to Jason’s dad, we got Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” The Red Rocker was on fire, particularly when he performed his all-time classics, “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Heavy Metal.” To cool things off, Sammy ended the night with “Cabo Wabo.”
Despite sweating in my jeans because it was so damn hot, it was totally worth it to see Sammy Hagar again. First time was the last Chickenfoot show at the Greek Theater 10 years ago. The long gap between now and today did not slow the Red Rocker down. Thorogood will always be bad to the bone, refusing to get a real job. Summer may be ending, but for Sammy, it is always summer, especially if you have mas tequila! To Sammy Hagar & the Circle and George Thorogood & the Destroyers, I salute you. Horns up!!! And MAS TEQUILA!!!
It goes without saying that Korn will go down as one of the best rock bands in history. Having started listening to them when I was just a young lad, they sure helped mold my music influence over the years. I got the opportunity almost exactly a year ago to the day to finally capture them and it was an honor to be able to do it again alongside some incredible photogs. Joined by Evanescence, Palaye Royale, and Dana Dentata, it was surely going to be one hell of a night. Let’s jump in.
Starting off the show was Dana Dentata and boy was it a whole show. Coming out on stage with a full-on black leather mask with her long ponytails coming out the top. It was one of the more interesting outfits I’ve seen from an artist, but she was super dope and had a cool sound to her. It was a new experience for me, but she was fun to watch interact with the crowd and show her personality through the set. I feel like she has a solid future ahead of her.
Up next were talk of the town in the scene Palaye Royale. Having only really started hearing about them after So What! Music Festival, Palaye Royale has been getting a lot of buzz for their onstage performance and ode to the past type of rock style they exude on stage. Still fairly new to me, it was cool to finally see them live and let alone on a super cool tour with some rock legends. The lead singer and guitarist really stood out and gave everyone a show. Not only were their outfits flashy, but the energy they brought to the stage was a great experience. Excited for their growth.
Evanescence was getting ready to take the stage. The tension in the stadium was in full force as people got ready to experience the talent that was Amy Lee. This was my first time getting to see them live. It was not only an ode to my childhood but so many others in that pavilion. I was ready to hear the classics and finally experience “Bring Me To Life” live and in person. The lights drop and Amy comes out on a platform behind the drummer. I think I got my favorite photo in that moment from their set. She really is as good live as she is on record. Everyone on stage was giving it their all! I heard so many songs that I’d never heard before too which was great because it brought me back to the appreciation, I have for hearing songs for the first time live. The time came and “Bring Me To Life” was up next. There wasn’t a single person not singing in the crowds. They closed out the set with “My Immortal” and “Blind Belief”. 10/10 and will see them again.
And finally, the reason we are all there, Korn. Leading up to this moment after watching the first 3 incredible acts, we were all ready to experience the legends that are Korn. The first time seeing them was everything I had hoped for. This time around I was ready to take it all in again. The neat thing about this show was that they came back with an all new production including an LED screen that dropped in front of them during some songs displaying a ton of cool graphical elements like storms, fire, and eyeballs. They took it to a whole new level. Last year, Jonathan Davis was battling covid and couldn’t put his all into it but this year, we got 110% from him and the rest of the members. While the first two songs with the screen down as challenging to shoot, the 3rd gave me all the opportunities to get the right shots. I could go on about how incredible each song was but the highlights were definitely “Falling Away From Me”, “Y’all Want A Single”, “Blind”, and “Freak On A Leash” featuring a surprise performance from Amy Lee. I remember hearing the Amy Lee version of that song years ago and never thought I’d see the day that her and Jonathan Davis did it together on stage. I loved every moment and without a doubt will be there the next time they roll through Dallas again.