Interviews
Inaugural Sacrifest honors musicians and their art
Dayton scene veteran John Jacobs is the brains behind John Jacobs Jingles Promotions first Sacrifest event honoring sacrifices musicians make for their art. With a diverse lineup from acoustic to death metal, the weekend fest plans to make a memorable first impression. “This is an event for all local bands,” Jacobs says. The event takes place from September 21 till the early morning of the 23 with...[Read More]
Skinflint: Blasting Metal from Botswana
With a mix of South African influence and mythology incorporating indigenous elements into their costumed metal sound, Botswana trio Skinflint bring their new self-titled effort to the worlds ears. During their 11 year existence they’ve earned respect and recognition as one of the most prominent metal bands in their scene garnering attention from the BBC, CNN and African Music websites. Skinflint ...[Read More]
Julien-K Shrouded in California Noir
Since the days when the electronic adrenaline fueled Orgy clanged dance floors and stages with synthesized bravado, Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh have made their own path creating electro-rock narratives of sophisticated dark poetry drawing inspiration from the hidden noir looming under the bright California sunshine. Assuring there will always be cracks and crevices in the corners and shadows of pa...[Read More]
Meka Nism – Taking Spiritual Journeys Through Metal
Meka Nism comes from the warm regions of Orlando bringing a unique, rare mix of spiritual cleansing through shamanistic elements, energy healing and heavy music. The five-piece is helmed by the savage and striking voice and presence of Meka. Combining operatic peaks, with clean vocals and screeching growls she leads with grand warrior spirit, stimulating and perplexing audiences. With loud, heavy ...[Read More]
Modern Day Maharaja’s
Dayton based three-piece Maharaja have infected audiences with their doom, sludge, desert rock brand of noise. Slowly dehydrating the crowds through heavy delivery and heat leaving them thirsting for more. Vocalist, bassist Eric Bluebaum, guitarist Angus Burkhart and drummer Zack Mangold play their hometown heavy habitat Blind Bob’s Friday, March 9 with Black Mass, Led to the Grave, and Crewneck. ...[Read More]
Showing No Mercy
The four-piece extreme metal outfit Merciless Reign have stamped and pounded their turf, making a name and following in the Akron/Cleveland area building a following among headbanging devotees with customized noise, volume and wreckage. Their Reign began in 2011, releasing a three-song demo and digital release of their first full-length 2014’s, Catharsis Through Chaos. They’ve shared stages ...[Read More]
Ice Age – Reformed to Thrash Again
Gothenburg, Sweden’s all female thrash group Ice Age started in 1985. They’ve sold thousands of demos, toured Europe with major festival appearances and their fan base and profile was growing without major label or indie support. Almost three decades after their split they’ve returned with debut release Breaking The Ice, available through GMR Music. The Ice Age began in 1985 when voca...[Read More]
Leaves’ Eyes Set Sail on the Dragonhead
For seven records the members of Nordic symphonic historians Leaves’ Eyes have captured the Viking war cry and spirit in lyric, song, video, and on stage recreation. They’ve consulted the ancient saga’s, perfecting their production for pin point presentation, playing hypnotic symphonic folk metal with history to study and riffs to head bang to. What started in 2003 has continued to 2018 with a new...[Read More]
The Show Must Go On: I Died Trying Returns
Saturday, July 8, I Died Trying returned after a four year hiatus with a one man show performed by multi-instrumentalist Tony Goff who played two 45-minute sets at the Actors Theatre in Fairborn. It was a rare sit down affair but the experience everyone shared that night was one for the ages. The performance in scope and delivery went far beyond a rock show as Goff sweated out multiple built up em...[Read More]
I Died Trying Return’s with One Man Show
On Saturday July 8, I Died Trying returns to the local scene via The Actors Theatre in Fairborn after a multi-year absence/seclusion. Formally a three-piece, the now one man band helmed by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Tony Goff will perform two solo sets surrounded by a multi-media immersion of screens, video production and photography. “The Encore:” The Return of I Died Trying will feature ...[Read More]
Mick Montgomery-The West Coast Years
The following is a separate part of an interview series detailing Mick Montgomery’s time in the California scene of the mid-to-late ‘60s. Mick Montgomery is a well-known, respected musician, teacher, venue owner and promoter in the Dayton, Ohio scene. A Wright State University art graduate, he taught for several years, running the legendary Canal Street Tavern which helped launch the careers...[Read More]
Hollywood Snared in a Scarlet Vice
In June 2011, Travis Morse responded to an ad posted by Chris Blaze, currently playing for Scarlet Vice. The two hit it off and immediately started writing songs together as that version of the band started fading away. After a few years and ‘many’ attempts to find the right chemistry, Travis and Chris discovered Jake Murillo, playing bass for the band The Dirty Nixon during a show at the C...[Read More]