The Eagles mean different things to different people. To some, they signify the cream of the Laurel Canyon crop with their dueling guitars and harmonized country rock sheen that served as a commercial extension of what Gram Parsons started doing with The Flying Burrito Brothers back in 1969. To others, they’ve come to represent a … Continue reading Don Felder delivers a splendid set of Eagles classics at Batavia Downs
As his 1971 hit, “Draggin’ the Line,” goes, Tommy James made his ‘livin’ the old hard way’ through relentless touring and studio sessions that afforded him little time to sit around basking in his success. His label wanted hits and wanted them yesterday, which, amazingly, he was able to deliver in rapid fire succession from … Continue reading The Man, The Mob, and The Music: A Conversation with Tommy James
Had “Stranger in Us All” not been released in 1995, the final album from Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow would be widely recognized as an inspired addition to the catalog. Instead, it arrived at the tail end of a summer that also saw Foo Fighters, Garbage, and Red Hot Chili Peppers release records that commandeered headlines, so … Continue reading Hard Rock/Metal vocalist extraordinaire Doogie White talks Rainbow, Yngwie, and solo career
When I interviewed Steven Wilson back in 2018, we spoke about Pink Floyd and the influence that their catalog has had on both of our lives. He said that he didn’t listen to them as frequently as he once did, because they were so ingrained in his musical DNA that he didn’t have to. That’s … Continue reading Welcome to the Machine: The Floyd Concept hits The Stage on June 27
For a lot of Western New Yorkers, tomorrow night’s show featuring Tim Reynolds at Samuel’s Grande Manor will mark their first foray into the live music scene since the pandemic made everyone forget how to behave in public. Will they be grateful for a return to normalcy or has a year of animosity and isolation … Continue reading Excessive Practice: A Conversation with guitarist Tim Reynolds
During an episode of Vh1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” in 2013, Brian “Damage” Forsythe was asked by host Eddie Trunk to name a song that he wished he had written and he responded with “Tumbling Dice” by The Rolling Stones. His answer was enlightening, because he gave the viewer a glimpse into where his true … Continue reading Kix guitarist Brian “Damage” Forsythe discusses the legacy and 35th Anniversary remix of “Midnite Dynamite”
It’s been said that even the most marginal of 1980s glam bands had that one great song in them, and, in many cases, the power ballad proved to be the vehicle for facilitating their MTV moment. They’ve been called “panty wetters” given how many women flocked to shows in their wake, but the songs on … Continue reading The 10 Greatest Glam Metal Ballads
When 3.2’s “Third Impression” was completed last year, Robert Berry’s feelings were bittersweet. On the one hand, he was excited to share his latest project with the world. On the other, he knew that there was no more Keith Emerson material to draw from and that the 32-year story of their collaboration had reached its … Continue reading Robert Berry leaves a lasting ‘Third Impression’ on 3’s legacy
Being a music journalist is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Since 2009, that somebody has been me, but the demoralizing state of discourse in 2021 has me questioning whether or not there is any value in continuing. People say they want the truth, but what they really want is to be … Continue reading Collective Chemistry: Rising LA trio LEVARA set to drop self-titled debut on May 14
As someone whose adolescence was defined by a nagging sense of having been born in the wrong time, hearing the title track to Arielle’s ninth studio album, “Analog Girl In a Digital World,” and then speaking with her for the first time felt as if I had discovered a kindred spirit. She had an affinity … Continue reading Analog Girl In a Digital World: A Conversation with Songwriter/Guitarist Arielle
