(WEST HOLLYWOOD) - Travel back in time to the Summer of1969 with rock ‘n’ roll royalty in the person of Reggie Vinson, guitarist extraordinaire who headlines the  20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards July Showcase, Thursday, July 29 at the world-famous Whisky A Go-Go, 8901 W. Sunset Blvd. 7 p.m.-12 midnite. $12. Info: (310) 652-4202 or www.whiskyagogo.com.

A/k/a “Rockin’ Reggie,” Vinson co-wrote some of legendary rock front man Alice Cooper’s biggest hits including “Billion Dollar Babies,” which has sold over six million copies worldwide. Vinson appeared on Cooper albums “Killer,” “School’s Out,” and “Muscle of Love” as a session guitarist and background vocalist., and performed with the famed vocalist at The Whiskey in the Summer of 1969. The two remain friends to this day, with both currently residing in Arizona. Vinson - who performs with his band American Rockers, at the Whiskey that night - has also played with a Who’s-Who in Rock, including Chuck Berry; John Lennon, Roy Orbison; Etta James; Blondie; The Platters; and Liberace.  Vinson has been the recipient of ten gold and/or platinum awards over his storied career, and most recently appeared as a guest on country great Shania Twain’s biography CD. He has also written the title song for new TV show “Shootin’ The Breeze” and co-wrote “The Day The Towers Fell” for the 911 Memorial Museums in New York City.

Also performing that evening: Popular L.A. Roots-Rockabilly ensemble, Hopdown  Bilby Band; rising singer-songwriter, Sarah Lonsert; rockers Zen Boogie; Patti Rain; Topanga; Anne Simoni; and Rachel Renae.

The Los Angeles Music Awards, the longest-running independent music awards show of its kind now in its twentieth consecutive year, are currently accepting submissions, for the stretch run to this year’s Main Event, taking place at Paramount Studios inside the Paramount Theater in Hollywood on Thursday, November 18, 2010. All submissions will be listened to and professionally evaluated for quality purposes. Nominees will be informed via e-mail or telephone.

Those selected for nomination will receive two complimentary tickets to our Red Carpet Main Event on November 18 and will be placed on the ballot for the annual LAMA Voting Event that takes place at the Whisky A Go-Go on October 7.

For additional information on the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards, please go to http://www.lamusicawards.com.

MEDIA PASSES AND PERFORMER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ON REQUEST.

“Since their sophomore, and best known, album Shocked in 2005, Feisty Piranhas have been making a splash (forgive me for the pun) in their local Southern California music scene…the first song that literally blew me away was “Do You Know.” From the opening chords, to the later solo work (which, even I’ll admit, is incredible), to the overall style of the song, I could’ve sworn it could’ve been by the likes of the Bad Religion. Which is by all means a compliment.” RIOT ON BROADWAY (AGOURA HILLS) - 2010 has been a great year so far for the Feisty Piranhas. Not only are they nominated in the “Showcase Artist of the Year” category for the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards in November; they have performed this year with rock icons Blue Oyster Cult and The Tubes, with shows coming up as Main Support for metal mainstays Y&T (August 26; Key Club) and punk legends Fear (October 28, Key Club). FP’s also headline the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills (Thursday, July 22).
The eclectic Ventura County-based rock group was recently interviewed for a “MUSIC RAW” segmenton KNBC-TV and were videotapted during the Tubes’ show by MTV-style video site, ROCKAHOLICZ (www,rockaholicz.com). Other recent highlights for the band: Headlining “Feisty Fool’s Day” at the Canyon Club this past April 1; and performing at a Los Angeles Music Awards live showcase, leading up to the main event on Thursday, November 18 at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood.

The frenetic, energetic power-pop-punk band recently took part in one of the Spring’s major concert events, performing as part of Skinnie Magazine’s “Top 100 Bands” Festival on the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach. 2009 was a watershed year for the unique “father-and-son” band (drummer Peter Lust is the father of front person Peter Alex Lust), starting with guitarist Lust Jr. being pulled onstage by seminal punk band NoFX to perform the song “Linoleum” at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood and resoundingly winning over the raucous crowd; and ending with the band again being selected a “Hot 100 Unsigned Artist for 2009″ by longtime respected trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE. In between, they opened for Nations Afire at The Whiskey and rock royalty the Blue Oyster Cult for the second consecutive year at the Canyon Club, where they also headlined; were interviewed by “Focus In The Mix” television show; released a new CD, “Live In SoCal;”perfomed with alt-rock front-runners Death By Stereo and A Static Lullaby in Long Beach; appeared with Korn at KROQ’s “Halos N’ Horns” Festival; opened for longtime rock gods, The Misfits, a third consecutive year, as well as the power/metal mainstays DragonForce, both at the fabled Ventura Theater; and were submitted for consideration for a Grammy nomination in eleven separate categories into the 52^nd Grammys, the band’s fifth consecutive year receiving such an honor.Reviews of the Live In SoCal have been favorable. “A killer pop/punky bunch of guys from Southern California who have really great catchy punching memorable songs,” writes U.K. magazine METALLIVILLE. “They’ll definitely grow on you as they did me…”Godfather is an excellent political number with some funky ska moments…they’ll have you hooked for sure.” RIOT ON BROADWAY raves, “Live In SoCal is an example of the amount of talent the Feisty Piranhas possess on stage, and not just in studio…you get a touch of the band’s hip-hop side in “24,” which has a rapped verse over a nicely dirty, although dark, guitar backing, with a much more punk chorus and second chorus. You also get a touch of the band’s softer side in tracks like “A Better Day” and “Alone,” although the latter features a touch of what might sound to some like a little bit of ska punk.The first song that literally blew me away was “Do You Know.” From the opening chords, to the later solo work (which, even I’ll admit, is incredible), to the overall style of the song, I could’ve sworn it could’ve been by the likes of the Bad Religion. Which is by all means a compliment.The Feisty Piranhas are, without a doubt, deserving of every award they’ve received. From the ability to sound as good live as in studio, to the commendable amount of chemistry this band has, not least of which is because of the father-son involvement. In any case, this is an excellent release for anyone who appreciates this type of music. Perfect for anyone who wants to experience this band in any way. Really good stuff here.” www.myspace.com/feistypiranhas -
www.thefeistypiranhas.com

*Headlining The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills  - This Thursday, July 22*

~ Mark Johnson, founder, Playing for Change.  Join the Playing for Change Online Street Team at: http://ufanz.com/teams/play… The act of playing music with people of different cultures, religions, economics and politics is a powerful statement. It shows that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Music has the power to break down the walls between cultures, to raise the level of human understanding.

ill Moyers sits down with Mark Johnson, the producer of a remarkable documentary about the simple but transformative power of music: PLAYING FOR CHANGE: PEACE THROUGH MUSIC. The film brings together musicians from around the world — blues singers in a waterlogged New Orleans, chamber groups in Moscow, a South African choir — to collaborate on songs familiar and new, in the effort to foster a new, greater understanding of our commonality. Johnson traveled around the globe and recorded tracks for such classics as “Stand By Me” and Bob Marley’s “One World” — creating a new mix in which essentially the performers are all performing together — worlds apart. Often recording with just battery-powered equipment, Johnson found musicians on street corners or in small clubs and they would in turn gather their friends and colleagues — in all, they recorded over 100 musicians from Tibet to Zimbabwe. The unique composition of the film which has musicians playing together yet in their own traditions, made Johnson think anew about what world music means: Just thinking in my mind… what would be unique instruments to juxtapose against each other that had never been heard before: a talking drum and a tabla, they’re very similar but they never really come together, or a sitar and a dobro, very similar but how often do you hear them play together? The idea was to go to places that would have some sort of instruments that they could add to the spectrum of the global music that we were trying to find. The Playing For Change Foundation provides resources (facilities, supplies, educational programs, etc) to musicians and communities around the world. The foundation is working with South African poet Lesego Rampolokenga to build the Mehlo Arts Center in Johannesburg, South Africa and building and supporting the Ntonga Music School in the South African township of Guguletu. In addition, Playing For Change is working to enhance and rebuild Tibetan refugee centers in Dharamasala, India and Kathmandu, Nepal. You can find news about their benefit concerts and programs, and listen to additional songs, on their Web site: Playingforchange.com.PLEASE NOTE: PLAYING FOR CHANGE: PEACE THROUGH MUSIC is the second film directed by Mark Johnson and Jonathan Walls. Their previous film, titled PLAYING FOR CHANGE: A CINEMATIC DISCOVERY OF STREET MUSIC was released in 2005, and is currently available through Netflix. Music and video content from PLAYING FOR CHANGE: PEACE THROUGH MUSIC, featured on BILL MOYERS JOURNAL, will be available through Playing For Change’s online store in early 2009, and released on CD and DVD in the Spring of 2009 through Hear Music. If you have any questions regarding this project, please email info@playingforchange.com. Guest photo by Robin Holland Published October 24, 2008.

Bernice Johnson Reagon Performer, activist, songwriter and scholar, Bernice Johnson Reagon has for over 40 years been singing, preaching and teaching traditional African American music and its cultural history. Martín Espada Bill Moyers talks with poet Martín Espada about the power of words to effect social change. BILL MOYERS ON FAITH & REASON: Will Power Will Power is an award-winning actor, rapper, composer, playwright, and educator whose pioneering fusion of traditional drama, African storytelling, and hip-hop sensibilities is helping transform modern theater Hope in the Congo? THE JOURNAL takes viewers on the ground in the Democratic Republic of Congo to follow aid workers and local relief efforts that are bringing hope to a forgotten land. “The aid agencies are almost substituting for a social welfare system that hasn’t operated in these areas for decades,” says Dominic MacSorley, Emergency Director for Concern Worldwide, an international aid organization. Sarah Chayes Sarah Chayes, author and former journalist who has been helping rebuild Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban regime, with a look at the front lines of America’s war there.

Playing for Change Visit the PLAYING FOR CHANGE site to find out more about the project and hear more of the songs recorded around the world. A note to users, one version, Playingforchange.com.PBS Teachers: Music The PBS Teachers Web site has hundreds of lesson plans for all grade levels. Choose from lessons related to KEN BURNS’ JAZZ, THE BLUES, AMERICAN MASTERS, and GREAT PERFORMANCES. Guest photos by Robin Holland Published October 24, 2008

Record Label: Hear Music, Label Type: Independent, Country: United States:

Albums:

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He who has a thing to sell,
And goes and whispers in a well,
Is not as apt to make the dollars,
As he who climbs a tree and hollers ™ ©

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - LETS GET TOGETHER AND LET THEM FEEL THE MUSIC!!!

LETS FORWARD THIS TO ALL - SO WE CAN UNITE IN A WORLD OF MUSIC AND COMMERCE!

26 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
27 - Chicago, IL - Grant Park

July 2009
1 - Muskegon, MI - Muskegon Summer Celebration
3 - St. Louis, MO - Live on the Levee
4 - Sioux City, IA - Grandview Park
6 - Cincinnati, OH - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
8 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Music Festival
9 - Sarnia, Ontario - Rogers Bayfest Rock Weekend
11 - Minneapolis, MN - Basilica Block Party
16 - Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheater
17 - Goldendale, WA - Maryhill Winery
19 - Friant, CA - Table Mountain Casino
21 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
26 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre
29 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater

August 2009
1 - Houston, TX - The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Racepark
3 - Austin, TX - Austin Music Hall
4 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theater

6 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Theatre
7 - Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheater at the Wharf
8 - Tunica Resorts, MS - Harrah’s Casino
11 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
12 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
14 - St. Augustine, FL - St, Augustine Amphitheater
15 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
17 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
18 - Miami, FL - Bayfront Amphitheater
20 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
21 - Charlotte, NC - The Uptown Amphitheater
26 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater
28 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Casino
29 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
31 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion

September 2009

3 - New York, NY - Rumsey Playfield at Central Park Summerstage
5 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
6 - Canandaigua, NY - CMAC

With their angst-filled hybrid of Van Morrison, the Band, and R.E.M., Counting Crows became an overnight sensation in 1994. Only a year earlier, the band was a group of unknown musicians, filling in for the absent Van Morrison at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony; they were introduced by an enthusiastic Robbie Robertson. Early in 1993, the band recorded their debut album, August and Everything After, with T-Bone Burnett. Released the fall, it was a dark and somber record, driven by the morose lyrics and expressive vocals of Adam Duritz. The only up-tempo song, “Mr. Jones,” became their ticket to stardom, and Counting Crows enjoyed a significant amount of success throughout the ’90s and beyond.

What made Counting Crows unique was how they were able to balance Duritz’s tortured lyrics with the sound of the late ’60s and early ’70s; it made them one of the few alternative bands to appeal to listeners who thought that rock & roll died in 1972. Recovering the Satellites followed in 1996, and “A Long December” was a Top 10 hit on both the Modern Rock and Adult Top 40 charts. The band issued the two-disc Across a Wire: Live in New York in 1998, and the following year saw the release of Counting Crows’ third studio album, This Desert Life. In the midst of recording and collaborating with Ryan Adams on his sophomore album, Gold, Duritz joined his band in the studio as well. The fruit of those sessions was the Steve Lillywhite-produced fourth album, Hard Candy. The next year saw the release of the best-of Films About Ghosts, and in 2004 Counting Crows reminded fans of their ability to write a hit single with “Accidentally in Love,” which appeared on the Shrek 2 soundtrack. Two years later, New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall, recorded from a show on February 6, 2003, was made available to the public. Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings appeared in 2008. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

1 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center

2 - Saint Paul, MN - Harriet Island

4 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

7 - Roanoke, VA - Roanoke Convention Center

9 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion

10 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion

12 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

14 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion

16 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theatre

17 - Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury park Convention Hall

21 - Pikeville, KY - Eastern Kentucky Expo Center

22 - Corbin, KY - Southeastern KY Agricultural & Expo

24 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium

25 - Dubuque, IA - Dubuque County Fair

26 - Brookings, SD - Swiftel Center

29 - Billings, MT - MetraPark Arena

31 - Rochester, MN - Mayo Civic Center

August 2009

10 - Ridgefield, WA - The Amphitheatre at Clark County

13 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium

14 - Rio Rancho, NM - Santa Ana Star Center

15 - Lubbock, TX - Lonestar Amphitheater

18 - Laredo, TX - Laredo Entertainment Center

28 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre

30 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing

It has been said that first impressions last a lifetime. Luckily for Staind, some only last for about 45 minutes. After a volatile disagreement with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst over some of Staind’s early cover art, it seemed their big break had walked out the door. Fortunately, by the time Durst had witnessed Staind’s intense live show, he was ready to exchange phone numbers.

Staind’s story began in the New England area when vocalist Aaron Lewis and guitarist Mike Mushok met at a Christmas party in 1993. Mushok was able to bring drummer Jon Wysocki into the fold, and Lewis’ connection with a bass player (who later left) completed the early lineup. Establishing themselves took time, and extensive touring of the Northeast with other established metal acts helped them sell over 2,000 copies of their self-released debut in just over a year. They were primed for their big break, and on October 23, 1997, the hard work paid off.

At a show in Hartford, CT, Staind was all set to open for Limp Bizkit when Bizkit singer Durst raised a stink over cover art on Staind’s self-released CD. After a heated conversation over whether or not Staind were Satan worshipers, Durst forcefully returned the disc to the band, and walked away. But 45 minutes later Durst was back, not to further the argument, but to make sure he kept in contact with Staind. Blown away by their live show, Durst exchanged phone numbers, and loved their demo tape when they gave it to him. He convinced them to travel to Jacksonville, FL, to work on the new songs.

After reworking the new material and a successful live show, Durst contacted the head of Flip Records and arranged a meeting for Staind with the label. While in Los Angeles, a three-song sampler was recorded, and by the time February rolled around in 1998, the band had a record deal. After playing the Vans Warped Tour, they began work on their first album, Dysfunction. The album was produced by Terry Date (Deftones, Pantera, Soundgarden) and was released April 13, 1999. A tour with Kid Rock followed that spring and later the band reunited with good friends Limp Bizkit for a summer tour. Their follow-up, Break the Cycle, enjoyed a prolonged visit at the number one spot on U.S. charts in 2001. Smash hits like “It’s Been a While,” “Fade,” “For You,” and “Epiphany” catapulted Staind into the mainstream, leaving their 2002 DVD =MTV Unplugged to go gold. Staind released 14 Shades of Grey in spring 2003, and after a two-year break returned with the chart-topping Chapter V, named to include their self-released debut in the Staind canon. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide

The technically proficient guitar playing of John Petrucci elevated Dream Theater to the upper echelons of contemporary heavy metal. While its lineup has continuously evolved, the Long Island-based quintet has consistently delivered sharp-edged music. Dream Theater is known for its high-energy concert performances. While they’ve released several live albums — Live at the Marquee, recorded at the London club; Live in Japan, recorded during the Music in Progress tour in 1993; and a triple CD and DVD, Live Scenes from New York — they remain one of heavy metal’s most bootlegged bands.

Originally named Majesty by Berklee College of Music students Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy, the band soon expanded with the addition of keyboard player Kevin Moore and vocalist Chris Collins. Releasing an eight-tune demo, Majesty Demo, as Majesty, the group sold 1,000 copies within six months. The departure of Collins in late 1986 left Majesty without a vocalist, and after a long period of auditioning possible replacements, the group settled on Charlie Dominici in November 1987. Changing its name, the group agreed on “Dream Theater,” inspired by a now-demolished California movie theater. Signing with Mechanic Records, the group began working on its first full-length album. Delays caused by label mismanagement limited the group to performing at small clubs and bars. Frustrated by its experiences with the label, Dream Theater finally severed its ties with Mechanic.

This was only one drastic change in the band’s course of action. Firing Dominici, the group spent the next couple years searching for a vocalist. The search ended in late 1991 when a demo tape from Canadian vocalist James LaBrie, formerly of Winter Rose, arrived. After flying to New York to audition, LaBrie was invited to join the band. Signing with Atco Atlantic (which came to be known as East West), Dream Theater released its second album, Images & Words, in 1992. One of three videos based on songs from the album, “Pull Me Under,” became an MTV hit. Although Theater showed considerable growth with their third studio album, Awake, recorded between May and July 1994, the group continued to be hampered by personnel changes. Before the album was mixed, keyboardist Moore left the group to focus on his solo career. Hired as a temporary replacement for the band’s Waking Up the World tour, Derek Sherinian later

James LaBrie via last.fm

became a permanent member. His first recording with Dream Theater was a 23-minute epic, “A Change of Seasons,” written in 1989 and released in September 1995 on the album of the same name.

Following a mini tour, Fix for ‘96, the members of Dream Theater separated for several months and became involved with a variety of outside projects. Petrucci was the busiest. In addition to joining Portnoy and keyboard player Jordan Rudess in the Liquid Tension Experiment — a group that included influential bassist/stick player Tony Levin — Petrucci played guitar with Trent Gardner’s Explorers Club and made a guest appearance on Shadow Gallery’s Tyranny album. Myung and Sherinian collaborated with King’s X vocalist Ty Tabor in the band Platypus. LaBrie worked with Mull Muzzler, a group formed with Matt Guillory and Mike Mangini.

Dream Theater experienced yet another change when Rudess was tapped to replace Sherinian, who had been fired in 1999. The band released the progressive rock-heavy Scenes from a Memory that year, a conceptual piece that followed the story of a 1928 murder of a young woman and how a modern man is haunted by the crime.

Cover of Live at the Marquee

It was followed by Live Scenes from New York in 2001, which suffered from an unintentional bout with controversy when its original cover featuring the city of New York in flames was pulled due to the events of September 11. The group continued in the progressive metal vein in 2002 with Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, followed by the leaner Train of Thought in 2003 and Octavarium in 2005. The live album Score: XOX was released in 2006 and featured the band backed by a 29-piece orchestra. It was followed a year later by the new studio album Systematic Chaos.
Sherinian went on to record as a soloist and to play with a prog and jazz fusion band, Planet X. Petrucci released an eponymously titled solo album in 2003, featuring accompaniment by Dave LaRue of the Dixie Dregs and Boston-based drummer Dave DeCenso. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide

]]> http://dreamcatchercalendars.com/aam/blog/?feed=rss2&p=629 http://dreamcatchercalendars.com/aam/blog/?p=628 http://dreamcatchercalendars.com/aam/blog/?p=628#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:04:35 +0000 Claudia http://dreamcatchercalendars.com/aam/blog/?p=628

Debut album -”Stories From Yesterday”,(Available Everywhere Online JULY 7th!  Led by vocalist/guitarist Matt Lande, “Heaven Is Where” burst onto the Los Angeles music scene in mid 2008. Whether performing a powerful, full production band show or a dramatically touching acoustic/piano concert, this band is quickly growing their roots around the globe, gaining recognition and praise from industry, media and fans alike in both the mainstream and Christian markets.

With a texture of paint splattered musical influences all the way from Annie Lennox and Savage Garden to The Killers, Skillet, HIM, Muse and 30 Seconds To Mars, Heaven Is Where’s audience is quite diverse. Blending the trials of life into his songwriting, front man Matt Lande bleeds for the song and never takes for granted the impact a single line or musical movement can have on a person’s emotions. Partnering intimate, personal lyrics and passionate melodies along with guitar and keyboard driven music causes an interaction between happiness and sadness, love and hate, gain and loss…heaven and hell. The meaning behind the name of the band is simple. It’s about finding your own heaven…taking hold of the moments in life that invoke happiness and living in them. We want to get to heaven when its all said and done but what’s this life worth without finding your heaven on earth?
Matt Lande: (Vocals/Guitar): Matt is an accomplished singer/songwriter/musician/producer originally from New York. Touring all over the country and playing with bands in Florida, Michigan, Virginia, Nashville and Los Angeles, his reputation precedes him. As former lead guitarist, backing vocalist and co-songwriter in the band, Storyside B, he toured and released an album titled “Everything And More” on Gotee Records. The album, which is distributed by EMI, has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide to date and landed them the Best New Artist Debut on the billboard charts in 06’. Now, after his time with Storyside B, Matt has returned as lead singer in his new band, “Heaven Is Where”.

Whant to know more about Matt Lande???  Visit www.myspace.com/heaveniswhere www.myspace.com/mattlande

Debut album -”Stories From Yesterday”,(Available Everywhere Online JULY 7th!)

Led by vocalist/guitarist Matt Lande, “Heaven Is Where” burst onto the Los Angeles music scene in mid 2008. Whether performing a powerful, full production band show or a dramatically touching acoustic/piano concert, this band is quickly growing their roots around the globe, gaining recognition and praise from industry, media and fans alike in both the mainstream and Christian markets.

With a texture of paint splattered musical influences all the way from Annie Lennox and Savage Garden to The Killers, Skillet, HIM, Muse and 30 Seconds To Mars, Heaven Is Where’s audience is quite diverse. Blending the trials of life into his songwriting, front man Matt Lande bleeds for the song and never takes for granted the impact a single line or musical movement can have on a person’s emotions. Partnering intimate, personal lyrics and passionate melodies along with guitar and keyboard driven music causes an interaction between happiness and sadness, love and hate, gain and loss…heaven and hell. The meaning behind the name of the band is simple. It’s about finding your own heaven…taking hold of the moments in life that invoke happiness and living in them. We want to get to heaven when its all said and done but what’s this life worth without finding your heaven on earth?

Matt Lande: (Vocals/Guitar): Matt is an accomplished singer/songwriter/musician/producer originally from New York. Touring all over the country and playing with bands in Florida, Michigan, Virginia, Nashville and Los Angeles, his reputation precedes him. As former lead guitarist, backing vocalist and co-songwriter in the band, Storyside B, he toured and released an album titled “Everything And More” on Gotee Records. The album, which is distributed by EMI, has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide to date and landed them the Best New Artist Debut on the billboard charts in 06’. Now, after his time with Storyside B, Matt has returned as lead singer in his new band, “Heaven Is Where”.

Whant to know more about Matt Lande???  Visit www.myspace.com/heaveniswhere

www.myspace.com/mattlande

What a powerful show starting opener! MP3’s will never replace the CD. You have to hear the power of this album on CD. (I first previewed this album on their My Space page.)

With the release today, the long wait for U2’s follow – up is over. On the day of this release even more good news that the band is planning to release another album before the end of the year! Wow! A new level of quality music production! They promised to set new standards with this one and they delivered!

No Line on the Horizon – The title says it all. They have lifted the horizon and are producing some of the best music of their career. This as they reach into their fourth and fifth decades on Earth, proving, like their mentors before them that music is eternal. Their creativity hasn’t stopped only blossomed. This thunderous arena crowd pleaser will probably be their show opener as well as the album opener. It is dynamic and provides that reminder that this is a U2 album, but not one from the past. From the powerful cord opener to the crashing drums and rhythm which hit you like a wall of sound, they definitely prove Midas is alive and music is gold in their hands. That up tempo Unforgettable Fire beat is wonderful. The vocals are still strong as Bono screams back to life again on CD.

Magnificent – Again the title says it all. Starts out with that powerful cord and then the Depeche Mode keys, then the Edge signature riff, great combination! This song has more bass than any song should…but we like it that way! The first thing that sprung to mind was Daytona Beach from my youth. The metal crowd used to fight with the Soul crowd all the time over whose music could be heard above the roar of the ocean. I bet the rappers have been winning that battle lately. Well rockers, here is a song to lift the sound about the waves! Just in time for Spring Break all over the world! These guys do their homework! These guys make danceable songs cool again, and this is one of them. So powerful! “Only love can leave such a mark…but only love can heal such a scare!” Yes, Mr. Lennon that was for you!

Moment of Surrender – Then they slow things down with this song. Pounding beat and you can slow dance to this one. Another ONE. Remember high school proms? Bet this one will be popular. “My body is beggin’ to get back to my heart, to the rhythm of my soul”, boy do we all need that after years of the so called War on Terror and global economic chaos. Right in tune with what is going on in the world.

Unknown Caller - This was one of my early favorites when I heard the MP3’s, so I was interested to hear how different it would sound on CD. Birds open the beginning, then the trademark Edge cords…perfect! Dreamy and visionary. Sunshine, don’t we all crave that! That Unforgettable Fire guitar…I have missed that so much. “Restart and reboot yourself!” That Beatles, Here Comes the Sun sound, complete with horns and a pipe organ really magnify the sound on this one! Very good guitar and drum interplay.

I’ll Go Crazy – Having fun. “How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?” I love that line. “Every generation has a chance to change the world.” It’s the lyrics. Fantastic! “It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain”, don’t burn out too fast. Yeh!

Get On Your Boots – Haven’t heard any screaming from Elvis Costello, so he must be ok with the sound of this one. Reminds me so much of the riff in Pump it Up, which I think is one of his best songs as well. It is wonderful. Powerful and definitely a commercial success already, considering how many have downloaded it already before the album came out. Video is awesome. Great guitar throughout, but especially at the end. This song is gonna be fun to watch live.

Stand Up Comedy – Bono rappin’ so well. “Stand up for your love.” Those Bloody Sunday drums…thanks for bringing them back again. Still like Candlebox’s Stand better, but this one is very good. Nice guitar interlude in the middle. Nice cymbals at the end!

Fez – Being Born – I don’t know why, maybe we don’t hear enough of it over here in the States, but Middle Eastern rhythms sound so good. This one starts out with those Moroccan influences then shifts into a drum and guitar rhythm that really cuts across everything they have done on this album or the others, so far. It really picks up pace and you feel the effect of being lifted into the air. Very cool. Like a jet taking off! The piano reminds me of Coldplay. Yes, they study the competition. Almost like Speed of Sound. “Head first, then foot, then heart set sail!” Yeh! Gotta remember to listen to this one on my next plane flight.

White as Snow – This was my favorite when I heard it on the MP3s. Strong lyrics and a powerful epic story will get me all the time. I need depth and crave stories that help tell of moral virtues. So this one is my early favorite for song of the year. “If only a heart could be as white as snow.”

Breathe – Power guitar. “Every day I have to find the courage to walk out in the street with arms out!” “I’ve found grace inside a sound!” Very strong message. Nothing else to add here, they said it all.

Cedars of Lebanon – Finish strong. I always tell my students with their assignments. This band knows how to finish strong. Another epic story. The last line is the strongest, “Choose your enemies carefully’cos they will define you…Make them interesting ‘cos in some ways they will mind you…They’re not there in the beginning but when your story ends gonna last longer than your friend.” Wonderful music supporting powerful lyrics.

So there it is. Now news today they will have another album out before the end of the year. This one will be, “more meditative and processional tone”. I am already interested in that one. Sounds like Unforgettable Fire, one of my favorites.

As a college professor I teach my students to study the leaders in the industry with which they hope to build a career. Study their best practices and learn how to shape your future. U2 has given the rock world 10 “chapters” of musical genius to study and learn from.

My reviews are long. Sorry, but when someone puts as much effort into a great album they deserve the attention. Besides, you should have seen the first draft!

Cheers! 10 out of 10!

http://www.u2.com/ 

http://www.myspace.com/u2

Sahara Rain would like to thank Michael Bormann, ex Jaded Heart vocalist, songwriter, composer and producer out of Duisburg, Germany, who helped with his talent on all 10 tracks of the new out coming album. http://www.michaelbormannpage.de The album “Sand in your hands” was released in January 2009. Interest and pre ordering are phenomenal. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you may need. Do also make use of the above Myspace-link and get inspired.
In a time not long ago great musicians crafted great music out of nothing. Today the guys in SAHARA RAIN follow their footsteps, having one foot in the past and the other one in the future. SAHARA RAIN was born in 2007. The vision was to create something unique that would move people and help them understand what it’s all about. About havin fun and live your dreams and to always make the present a past that you can be proud of in the future to come. SAHARA RAIN always do their very best as a live act to entertain the audience, taking them on a journey through time and space that will leave no one untouched. Share our vision, feel the SAHARA’n RAIN.  You can download a zip-file with two songs and the album and the cover under the following url: http://www.sahararain.com/tmp/sahararain-songs.zip

THE BAND: RICCI - Vocals Born 21.8.1968, Ricci realized early that his voice can touch people emotionally. After having graduated in classic Music, his ambition was to become the lead singer in a Rock / Pop band. Ricci started singing in different bands with internationally renowned musicians also performing countless concerts at small and large theatres with them. He also accompanied several studio projects. At the age of 25 and based on his 1st place in a national singing competition, he was offered to become a voice coach for a studio project in Cologne - which he kindly refused as this did not attract him enough. His only concern was to become a professional lead singer and not an actor behind the scene. “It took several years of experience and many conversations with my family and friends to become convinced that I should do what I love to do: singing!”
DAVE SILHANEK - GUITAR Born 22.9.1959 in Prague, Dave grew up with Classic, Jazz and eastern Music. After having immigrated to Switzerland he discovered Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Black Sabbath, Zep and Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Colterane as well as the styles of Funk and Punk. At the age of 12 he received his first guitar, which infected him more and more with the music virus. Dave soon started performing with local bands and formed his own groups varying from heavy space rock to anarcho-metalllatinjazz-music. In the 80’s he lived in Berlin, Paris, New York, the Caribbean’s and was running a music-restaurant in Sri Lanka. With the outburst of the civil war he moved over to India where he spent a few years - playing in a striptease bar, doing a lot of jam sessions, living as Sadhu and doing project’s. He was also touring with the Outlaws, with whom he came back to Great Britain, where the band however split up. Back in Switzerland he studied literature, politics and history and started going on again with music (touring Spain and Portugal with a Latin band ). In the 90’s Dave opened up his own Music School “Dave’s Guitar & Bass School” and worked with the Gangsters in Love, Farbstoff, Subzonic, Worst Aid, Nuclear Winter, Vera Kaa, Greg Galli, formed Dave & the Goliaths, played with Wild East and co-founded Sahara Rain.
ADRIAN HONEGGER - GUITAR Born 4th January 1970, started playing electric Guitar at the age of 14 after previously blowing the Trumped. Since forever Rock Music fascinated him greatly without ever loosing his interest in Classic Music. In 1989 he moved to London to start a new life as a professional Musician while trying to set up his own Band. During that time he visited the GAM (Guitar Academy of Music) in Wapping, London for a couple of weeks. Running out of Cash and Military Service waiting for him, he was forced to go back to Switzerland. In recent years he played in various bands (Jellybeans, Bankers and Workers, Local Hero’s, Device, Night Spell etc….) and started taking Jazz lessons at the Conservatorium, Zurich. Adrian always tried to complete his playing by looking into various music styles - however clearly says “When ever I play the guitar, the output will always be Rock!”
LEVENT SUNU - DRUMS Born 29.5.1974. At the young age of 8 his parents gave him the opportunity to play the Xylaphan and it soon became obvious, that his main interest was “beating” the Drums. After having played for more than 6 years various Percussion Instruments in a Classical Youth Orchestra consisting of around 30-50 members, Levent finally started playing the Drums at the age of 15. For many years to come, he was playing and touring with Bands performing different Styles such as Thrashmetal, Rock, Funk and Jazzrock/Fusion (Thrashmetal Band “Caustic”, published by Phonag Labels 1992). Levent studied Music in Zurich from 1998 until 2001 to become a professional Music Teacher and Musician. In 2003 he opened up his own Music School where he teaches different Music Classes and frequently teaches at other Music Schools. Today (2008) he is a composer and producer of various Music Styles and lives his dream through the music, playing as the Drummer of Sahara Rain and Rockwell.
BOET DE HAAS - BASS Born in Holland on the 16th of may ….1956….indeed, learned young done … uh ..young? First band was in primary school at the age of 10 playing drums…first steps in playing guitar at the age of 11, taught by his parents. Favorite bands then were the monkeys, Beatles, and all that flower power stuff…Woodstock, Jefferson airplane, yes, …you name it, I listened to it. At the age of 13 playing in a high school cover band switching from drums to guitar and finally to the bass guitar, depending on what we played: Ten Years After, CCR, Hendrix, Joplin and of course my all time favorite rock band the faces: how to be a fun rock band! Here’s to you plonk!!! In the beginning of the 80’s, after a decennia of schools, study and work started acting and singing in a Dutch national revue. During study doing some cabaret. Took some bass lessons at the music school (Henk Arts) in Utrecht Holland (where else?). Finally getting to Switzerland where I played in some local cover bands and took lessons by Ulie Heinzler at the ACM Zürich. Playing bass and making music started to get more and more serious when I joined Wild East in 2000. Becoming Sahara Rain now.
BO REBSAMEN - KEYBOARDS Born 27.1.1965 in Zurich, Switzerland, Bo Rebsamen kicked off his musical career 30 years ago as a Guitarist. Only seven years later, inspired by the great hit “Jump” from Van Halen, he believed that Keyboards are an essential part of a Rock Band and can no longer be ignored. As there weren’t any suitable Keyboard players around, he started playing it himself. Hits like “Runaway” from Bon Jovi or “The Final Countdown” form Europe soon confirmed his decision. Inspired by many 70’s and 80’s Rock Bands such as Asia, Yes, Jaded Heart, Signal etc. he became more and more experienced. After having played in various Bands like Starship, Night Rider, Mistery, Tic Tac Toe, Turn the Key, Night Spell his name became outstanding in the Swiss Rock scene. He was also touring in Germany with the legendary Swiss Band Crystal Ball. With his new project SAHARA RAIN, Bo has achieved another milestone in Swiss Rock history.
Booking: Sahara Rain Management: Bo Rebsamen, Email: borisrebsamen@bluewin.ch, Telephone: +41 (0) 79 311 78 16, Levent Sunu,  Email: info@sunumusic.ch, Telephone: +41 (0) 76 343 53 31.
It’s shaking and lightning strikes, seeds are growing. Rain for the desert. Rock for your soul. Switzerland has a new desert wind which sweeps through the country letting Hard Rock harts beating higher.
SAHARA RAIN:The 6 band members of Sahara Rain, formed in 2007, perform Hard Rock at top level. Pared with Kashmir influences and oriental elements they are making a difference and show originality and variation. In their short time of existence they have received great interest and are receiving worldwide attention and fan requests. Preparation of the Sahara Rain promotion tour has now started and is proceeding well.  Press & Music samples:www.myspace.com/sahararainmusic, http://dreamcatchercalendars.com/aam/blog/?p=348, www.steel93.com -Internet Radio, Sahara Rain are also represented on a Classic Rock Compilation CD in South California with the song “Shadow”. This album has been sold already 10′000 times! www.272records.com, www.myspace.com/272records, Prominent person in the back ground: Sahara Rain would like to thank Michael Bormann, ex Jaded Heart vocalist, songwriter, composer and producer out of Duisburg, Germany, who helped with his talent on all 10 tracks of the new out coming album. http://www.michaelbormannpage.de, The album “Sand in your hands” will be released in January 2009. Interest and pre ordering are phenomenal. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you may need. Do also make use of the above Myspace-link and get inspired.
Sahara Rain give their fans a powerful and professional 1.5 hours Hard Rock show. Performed by the 6 top quality musicians. We would like to offer you the Sahara Rain show and we would be happy to enrich your Festival / Open Air with the participation of Sahara Rain.