Hunnypot Live #453 went off with a whole bunch of Covid hitches. We retreated to the office and recorded the show the way it used to be done.
Kevvie3TM made it down to rap with us. Ibeshocker, Sean Nevejas, Maddie, Daisy, Raul, DeDux, Constantine and Beatriz jumped in for support and Hot Tub Johnnie boosted everyone with beats all night.
-Jeff Gray
1/10/2022
Kevvie3TM is a recording artist/ song writer from Northern California, currently based out of West Hollywood. Since deciding to come out to Los Angeles he has started working on his debut album “S.P.L.I.T.” which will be announced in early 2022. He works with a independent musical collective of artists, producers, and engineers called “Open Studios”. This has led to more networking opportunities, meeting and collaborating with other creatives such as videographers, photographers etc.
In the course of 2021 Kevvie3TM has landed a song featured with rapper ibeshocker titled “Melrose Blues” in a full-length feature film Pride Jewel. He has recently been covered in the Voyager magazine here in LA and has his lyrics cited in Rap Genius. His main single out now is titled “Memories”. Memories has been play-listed on various Spotify lists and accumulated 30k views on YouTube. Kevvie3TM stated “Memories opened the door to many opportunities and has been a large reason I’m privileged to perform for places such as the HUNNYPOT LIVE at The Mint. I am focusing on performing and going on tour soon”. You can find him on any platform under the handle Kevvie3TMSoundcloud Facebook Twitter Instagram Spotify
Legendary Seattle Psych rock band, Sky Cries Mary, releases their 13th studio album, “Wandering In the Vastness”.
This collection of songs came together as a synthesis of feeling, thought, meditation, and experience during the global pandemic. So much isolation, loneliness, fear…How can you make an album when you can’t even be in the same room together?
The band found ways to collaborate despite the constraints brought on by lockdown and social distance. They wrote and collaborated from studios in Seattle, New York, Chattanooga, and points in between.
“I write from a lot of different instruments”, muses founding member Ben Ireland, “The pandemic gave us a lot of time to focus and expand our musicianship. Members were definitely encouraged to take risks!”
In the tradition of psychedelic pioneers Brian Jones, Terry Riley, and The Byrds, Ben co-wrote “Bright Biggest Eye” with Roderick. Beginning with an acoustic 12 string guitar, they texted song starts and lyrics back and forth later adding drones, bass lines, percussion, vocal parts.
“Raga Metal Machine”, a tribute to friend/idol Lou Reed’s ugly beautiful masterpiece “Metal Machine Music” involves 5 raga drone boxes run through a wall of Fender Twin Reverbs, guitar, some primitive voicings and features a 12 bar blues sung in reverse.
“Curt Eckman writes these deep sinewy bass lines that break the barrier between rhythm and lead” says Ireland. Eckman’s multitrack bass lines and special effects are featured on “L-Train”
Kevin Whitworth, a veteran guitarist for Love Battery and progenitor of the Seattle rock sound, infuses subtle guitar embellishments, with sampled SCM recordings, morphing them into an aural montage of shoe gazing crunchy grooves.
Sky Cries Mary founder Roderick Wolgamott is known for drawing from the spiritual and metaphysical for his lyrics. On Wandering in he Vastness, the lead singer and lyricist takes a more personal approach, sharing literal snapshots from life: A snowy evening in New York spent waiting, witnessing a friend’s relapse, a family’s resolve to survive hunger in the streets, a shout-out to a friend in Rock legend heaven.
“Sometimes my lyrics emerge from weird dreams, imaginings, and sometimes they come from waking life!” recalls Wolgamott. He adds that Debra Reese (who joined the band 2017) “is in the vocal personification of female animus and astral plane energy in my storytelling!”
Jack Endino, the acclaimed producer and engineer for Nirvana and Soundgarden, sits at the helm of the control booth once again. He also plays guitar on the album and returns to the drum kit on “L Train”. Throwing back to his early tape-op days, Endino includes one of his own called , “Jodo”. Throughout, Jack masterfully reunited the disparate parts, creating a hypersonic journey for listeners. The end result: the most creative and versatile Sky Cries Mary album since This Timeless Turning in 1994!
Hunnypot is proud to be Sky Cries Mary's official sync representative both Masters & Publishing, ask us about one-stop LICENSING!
Focus tracks: L Train, Bright Biggest Eye & Can't Find The Time
PRESS LINKS - GOLDMINE PROG ARCHIVES PROGZILLA
It's an up and coming artists' dream to have the kind of 2021 that Holland Izz experienced. Holland is no stranger to hard work and he's got the numbers to prove it. He released four fire singles, a feature, blessed the stage for several live shows, had his television debut (Revolt TV), won his first award (Fan Favorite) and dropped two dope music videos. Holland is leading a new wave of LA sound with a cadence and personality that cannot be replicated or dismissed.
His latest video, "Too Damn Stressed" is featured above. The high energy, dance heavy video follows Holland as he spreads his IZZM throughout LA. His bouncy flow makes it impossible not to groove along with, paired with a song that keeps you captivated and wanting more. To know Holland is to know his high energy performance extends beyond the screen to the stage. Inspired by 80s hip hop, his reinvention of the era is refreshing and brings a fly and unapologetic swag to his music that is easily identifiable. His lyrics highlight one of the many keys to his rise to stardom, 'Just be who you are or you gone end up, too damn stressed'. Good fortune seems to follow the Compton grown rapper as his gradual success shows no signs of letting up. I'm excited to see what new heights Holland reaches this new year!
Check out "Too Damn Stressed" out on YouTube and all streaming platforms NOW!
Stay tuned for his upcoming Hunnypot Live performance!
-Essence Leak
Hunnypot is proud to be Zeus Rebel Waters official sync representative, both Master & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING!
Those who have had the pleasure of witnessing Rora Wilde live know her soulful tone runs deep. She’s naturally noticeable with crystalline vocals, deep in color and rich in emotion. Her new single Out of Hand featuring Dark encapsulates the dramatic flare of Rora’s live-show personality.
The accompanying music video delivers the same vulnerable intensity. Sly texts, impling deception lead to a marathon of tit-for-tat talking back and dramatic PDA. The emotions run higher than the drone’s eye view of the city that sets the scene for our two lovers. Rora and Dark’s duet mirrors the lovers' quarrel, each running each other off the page and into the middle of the street. The unapologetic blame game culminates in a blowoff/cliff hanger. Rora’s voice gets the chance to shine in the hook lamenting a mentality that leads to disposable relationships. This is not a forever couple, perhaps they had a moment similar to the Dodger hit on the game playing in the background, but just like our beloved hometeam, they can’t quite cinch the score.
This is surely only indicative in the lyrical relationship, because the pairing have an unexpectedly succinct sound.The harmonies amidst the trap beat tickling the production give this thematically pop vox song into a contemporary breakup angst jam. For any one who is hoping that earnest songwriting reins victorious in the 2020s, Rora Wilde might just be the woman to prove it.
--Robyn Dee
Hunnypot is proud to be Rora Wilde's official sync representative controlling both Master & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING!
Years removed from peak popularity, Our Lady Peace (OLP) is tenaciously looking to the future with an ambitious overhauled sound and a January 2022 release of their tenth studio album, Spiritual Machines 2. Technically the album was released in October making OLP the first Canadian artist in history to release an album in the form of a non-fungible token or NFT (an interesting but entirely separate side story). Hailing from Toronto, OLP has sold over 5 million albums and produced several major alternative radio hits from 1995-2002. The heavy rocker “Starseed” off their 1995 debut album, Naveed, was a top 10 Mainstream hit and radio favorite “Superman’s Dead” from the 1997 platinum album, Clumsy, helped propel the band to their height of commercial success. Perhaps as a warmup for an upcoming busy 2022, OLP recently scheduled a few shows in L.A. (where band leader/songwriter Raine Maida now resides) and in my hometown of San Diego. I was excited to see OLP for the first time, especially at an intimate premier live music venue like the Belly Up.
Local San Diego quartet The Thieves About got the Belly Up festivities off to a rockin’ start with their impressive brand of high-energy melodic rock that, at first listen, has you singing along by the second chorus. Blending the upbeat spirit of the 80’s with edgy 90’s-inspired dual guitars was an entertaining combination – upbeat, melodic, with some balls! San Diego area music fans – keep an eye on The Thieves About and support local bands!
Our Lady Peace opened their show with a heavy synth ambience and the pulsating dance beats of “The Message”, a new hypnotic song off their upcoming album. The “message” would soon be clear with the reveal of other new songs that the band was clearly all in with a more electronic pop/dance groove approach. Starting an enjoyable barrage of mega hits, “Superman’s Dead” was the second song followed by the memorable and kick-ass “One Man Army”, followed by the sing along anthem “Innocent”. The audience was getting their money’s worth! OLP then threw a nice curveball offering a compelling cover of “Seasons (Waiting on You)” by Future Islands. Guitarist Steve Mazur started with low volume synth sounds true to the original, but soon transitioned to distorted power chords to amplify and drive the song’s engrossing chord progressions to a crescendo. A truly splendid version of a brilliant song. Unfortunately, it’s not a track on the upcoming album, but it’s worth a search on YouTube.
One memorable moment was the performance of “The Clumsy” (off their 1997 platinum album of the same name). Without prompting, the audience roared the familiar pre-chorus lyrics so loud Raine yielded the mic to the joyous crowd and let them sing, “I’ll be waving my hand/Watching you drown/Watching you scream/Quiet or loud”. Raine seemed touched, acknowledging the effort, “Thanks, I really needed that.”
A surprise standout was the infectious new tune “Stop Making Stupid People Famous” (video released in July featuring Pussy Riot). Raine explained the song addresses how our ridiculous modern culture that adores fake and untalented people can be traced back to the beginning of reality television. The bouncy groove incorporates a slick but subtle guitar hook over a thumping bass/drum dance beat that reminded me a bit of David Bowie’s "China Girl".
OLP delivered an entertaining well-balanced performance showcasing three new songs, a skillfully executed cover tune, and satisfied fan’s craving for the big hits. While the classic hits inspired a nostalgic look back in time, it’s clear Our Lady Peace is a band focused on crafting a new future. Get ready for the impending launch of a reinvented Our Lady Peace when their new album Spiritual Machines 2 is unleashed late January 2022.
Be well and keep rockin’ - Greg Vitalich
After laying relatively low for the last couple of years, Rick Ross is back with another full-length album, Richer Than I Ever Been. This is his 11th full length studio album since he first broke out on the scene in 2006 with "Hustlin’" off of Port of Miami. Over the past 15 years, Rick Ross has formulated a recipe for music that he uses time and time again because of really only one reason I can think of – it works. While this project doesn’t kick down many creative walls, it’s the same formula of the finest production, soulful melodies, R&B features, masculine bravado, visual tales of the rich life, and an obnoxious over-the-top use of adlibs that we all expect from a Rick Ross project. Clocking in at 42:09, Rick Ross delivers 12 tracks reminding us of who the biggest boss in the game is. Let’s jump into a few of my highlights.
The first joint on this project is "Little Havana" (feat. Willie Falcon & The Dream). I always feel like listening to a Rick Ross album scratches the same itch as watching one of The Godfather movies. This track was no different. Willie Falcon, former South Florida cocaine drug kingpin is the first voice you hear on the album. He spends the first 45 seconds of the song introducing himself as the undisputed king of the cocaine industry in South Florida’s from the 1970s through 1990s and praises Rick Ross for keeping his name and legacy and life alive in his music. Assisted by The Dream, Rick Ross mashes braggadocio raps and feel-good tunes that is reminiscent of Ashton Martin Music and Diced Pineapples.
"Wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-wiggle". Another highlight for me was the song, yep you guessed it – "Wiggle". When I first heard this hook, I thought oh wow – this album is about to take a cringey left turn. I was quickly proven wrong as Rick Ross swagged his way through the beat flexing his net worth, mansion on the beach, and the sea of women who overcrowd his crib. Expecting a second Ross verse, I was surprised to hear DreamDoll follow up with what could be my favorite feature off the whole project. I’ll admit, this song sent me on a detour away from Richer Than I Ever Been down the Dreamdoll wormhole on Youtube. I know she pulls her own weight in the scene already, but this feature is going to do numbers for her career – just watch.
A few of the other standout tracks for me are "Made It Out Alive" (feat. Blxst), "Outlaws" (feat. Jazmine Sullivan & 21 Savage), and "Hella Smoke" (feat. Wiz Khalifa). Assisted by this star-studded line up of features, Rick Ross packages a great project of bangers for your trunk as you cruise your local freeway. He may not be the best rapper by any means, but he rides a beat in ways the most technical lyricist can’t and takes us on an inspirational journey as he claws his way to the top. If you’re looking for a feel-good, motivational album to jam out to; this is the one.
Hunnypot Live #452 was the last one for 2021. Yule see us again in January.
Lauren Brinker co-hosted with stories of ghosts from her recent past in the music business and redemption through her current endeavors and projects.
Myke Anthony returned to Hunnypot, fronting his own group, and performed amped up Rock 'n' B/pop bangers.
Love Stallion finally made it to Hunnypot Live and bucked up thoroughbred glam rock music.
Hot Tub Johnnie kept it festive with the party hits all night.
Recap/Photos: J. Gray 12/13/2021
Lauren Brinker is a native of Hollywood, CA. She’s a singer, budding songwriter, chorister, and general lover of all things music. Lauren began singing as a young child in the LA Children’s Chorus. She was lucky to attend L. A. County High School for the Arts, where she was immersed in music every day of the school week. From high school she went on to study opera and vocal pedagogy at UC Santa Cruz, where she stayed to do their master’s program. Since then, she’s taught music to kids, worked for regional opera companies, dabbled in session singing, conducted a community musical and worked as a ringer for Catholic churches up and down California.
Currently, Lauren heads-off her own music clearance company, Smoketree Music. She’s also a proud member of Nevenka East European Folk Ensemble, a non-profit women’s folk chorus that was founded in 1976. Lauren’s husband, Ray Brinker, is a renowned jazz drummer. She’s grateful to have a life and career that is music centered.
LA based, Michael Anthony Marigliano, p.k.a. Myke Anthony. is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. He has released two albums (Broken Love & These Days), one EP, and one mixtape. Myke's newest single "Rockstar" is a must hear.
WEBSITE FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM SPOTIFY
This was a cool show because I had just got into Hot Mulligan at the beginning of November. A buddy of mine showed me them and then saw they were coming to Dallas. So of course, I put in to snap some photos. This show was a nice blend of Midwest emo music, and I was pumped. Having seen Super American before, I was excited to see them again. Let’s jump in. It had been a minute since I shot a show from the crowd with no photo pit. It was gonna be an interesting night!
Starting out the show was Super American. Last time I saw them, it was probably early 2019 and since then, they had put out more music that I was excited to hear live. They took the stage and started off with “free bird”, and no not that “Free Bird”. They really got the crowd moving. I really enjoy the realness they bring to the stage. Straight forward with some grit. They went on to play some more great songs like “RIP JEFF”, “Clear Skin, Sound Mind”, and closed with their most popular, “How Big is Your Brain?”. It’s always a joy getting to see them live. Great set!
Next up was Sincere Engineer and they were a first for me. Lead by frontlady Deanna Belos, Sincere Engineer is a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois. I really enjoyed all of their songs, I found myself head bobbing to them without realizing. Deanna really grabs your attention. They played some of their hits like “Hurricane of Misery", “Corn Dog Sonnet No. 7”, and closed with one of their best songs, “Overbite”. Very much enjoyed their set and I’m sure I’ll be seeing them again when they roll back through.
Following them was Prince Daddy & The Hyena. Another band that I had never heard of prior to the show. It was quite the band name, so I was interested to see how they sounded. Little did I know that they 100% rocked. They started the set with “***HIDDEN TRACK***” and I really enjoyed how unique it was. They also put on such a wild show. Their lead singer Kory Gregory was uber talented. Loved his vocals the whole time. They played some of their most famous songs like “Thrashville 1/3”, “I Forgot To Take My Meds Today”, and their most popular, “Really?”. They closed it out with “I Lost My Life” and it was 10/10.
And without further ado, Hot Mulligan takes the stage. I was able to sneak my way up to the front row and have a solid spot to take some photos. They opened the set with “Dead Dogs” and I was hype. I really enjoy Tades Sanville's vocals. Very Midwest emo and I was there for it. I was super excited to hear “*Equip Sunglasses*” and the moment that drumbeat came in, I knew it immediately. I honestly think it was my favorite song of the night. Tades was a mover and jumping all around the stage. He brought all the energy to the stage. The sold out show was packed from front to back with fans and I know why now. They went on to play a ton of bangers the rest of the night and encored with “Pop Shuvit” and “You Have Shwag”. Overall a night to definitely remember.
On Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend, the Pete Tonti Band faithful packed the iconic Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ in anticipation of dancing away all the Thanksgiving dinner calories. They got exactly what they asked for as the band delivered the goods in fine form (and then some). With Tonti's blend of Rock, Bluegrass, Psychedelic, Jam, and Funk - everyone was getting down and rockin' out.
The origins of the PTB started in 2019 with Pete Tonti himself and drummer Jon Crow. They have been playing together for ten years now locally here in NJ until Jon went into the Marine Corps in 2015 (much appreciate your service to our country Jon). While he was in the Marines, Pete began playing around the Asbury Park music scene. He linked up with Kevin Cooper (the band's keyboard player), and they started a cover band called Silky Crazy Nights with local legend Sandy Mack. For the most part, they covered classic rock tunes and jam bands. When Jon got out of the Marines, he told Pete, "let's get a band together and start playing your original material". Pete reached out to Kevin, asked him to play keys in the band, and then brought on Nigel Whitely from another local band, UFOTOFO, on bass. The rest (as they say) is history.
As we all know in the music industry, playing in a band and getting everyone on the same page of the dream is never easy. So as with many other bands, PTB had a few lineup changes as they began to play. In March of 2020, (when the Covid pandemic hit and the band along with all musicians couldn't play gigs), Nigel left the band and was replaced by Bob Scholz on bass. They also brought in a second guitar player, Brian Abrecht (another local musician that was friends with the band and had been attending their shows right from the beginning). This lineup played through June of 2021, during this time the band released their debut single, "Feeling Upside Down". In June, Bob was replaced by Nick Iannelli on bass from his own band, Lemon Juice, and this is now the final and current lineup.
Right after the band had come together in this final lineup, guitarist Brian Abrecht had an unfortunate accident at Peach Fest as was terribly injured. The Asbury Music scene and the band came together with an outpouring of support for Brian and his family. They put together shows, fundraisers, artists donated work, and the family was giving the community constant updates on his recovery. It has been a long road of healing for Brian, but the band kept writing new music and playing without him, patiently waiting for his return. Brian has made almost a full recovery, he has a lot of work ahead, but to see my good friend return to the stage and live his dream is such an inspiration and I am beyond stoked he is back in action.
I learned a term in art school - Gestalt, which means the whole is perceived more than the sum of its parts. I only bring that up because I feel the current lineup (in this form) is why they are gaining so much traction and have developed such a large fan base locally in the Asbury Music Scene. Each band member brings their own unique style which compliments everyone else's style within the band. Pete has magnificent writing skills. His leadership qualities shine through, orchestrating the band in and out of jams and transitions into the next tune. In addition to melting faces with his guitar, he has an amazing stage presence and is a rockstar in the making. Jon can often be found beating his drum kit into submission, soft when needed, but bringing that dancy beat everyone needs to get down. Kevin on the keys has this upbeat, melodic, old and gritty organ vibe that really ties the band together. Nick's funky bass lines, eclectic style of play and instruments, along with a voice that can really hit the high notes, he can definitely get the party started. Brian on guitar keeps everything all glued together, he has great licks and smooth style. His influences of the jam band scene are easily recognized in his playing and his progression is incredible. All together, you get a psychedelic rock jam band that brings the house down.
For the encore of their show, they brought up a long-time friend and local guitar phenom Josh Rivera, to cover Umphrey's Mcgee's classic "All in Time". Josh has played with the band a few times stepping in for Brian while he was recovering from his injury. I have known Josh since he was a kid, always shredding his guitar. His progression over the years has astounded me. Josh's style is so versatile, he can play rhythm like none other, and has hard aggressive guitar solos. Josh rips and whatever band he lands in permanently will be lucky they have him in the lineup.
The Pete Tonti Band is emerging as one of the best to come out of the Asbury scene in a long time. They are currently putting together big plans to move forward as a band, getting into the festival scene and looking to do opening slots for larger national touring acts coming into NJ, and hopefully being on the road ASAP. These guys don't mess around, you can see right from the first tune of the show, they are polished, and poised to make big things happen in the future. I don't doubt PTB will be a staple in the jam band scene for years to come. All of my favorite bands started their careers playing small gigs, getting a local following, and then one day, BOOM, you cant get a ticket to the show because the band has exploded and they are selling out shows everywhere. I think that the Pete Tonti band is on their way to making it out of Asbury and making it big real soon. Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages below, for all the info you need on PTB, where they are playing locally here in NJ, and where they are headed in the future. But don't wait too long, or you won't be able to get a ticket when they sell out shows in your town before you know it!
https://www.facebook.com/petetontiband/?ref=page_internal
Instagram - @petetontiband
The Pete Tonti Band
11/27/21 - The Wonder Bar
Asbury Park, NJ
Setlist
Set 1: Everytime, Man With A Mop, Happy Hour Hero*, Try To Stand, I Will Survive^, Hyrule Castle Theme% > Trance Jam > Time Fade reprise, Hang Up Your Hang Ups+
Set 2: Lemonade, Too Rolling Stoned•, Blind Dove, Fog and Fire, When You’re Something, Tuesdays Are Rough, Feeling Upside Down, All In Time#
*moe. cover ^Gloria Gaynor cover %from “Legend Of Zelda” +Herbie Hancock cover •Robin Trower cover # Umphrey’s McGee cover (w/Josh Rivera (gtr))
