In my formative years growing up, I mainly listened to what music other people played for me. What ever was on Disney Radio seemed to be my mom’s favorite stuff to play. As I got older and finally started discovering my own music taste, I would trade CDs with my friends. One collection of CDs that was lent to me was Three Days Grace’s albums Three Days Grace, One-X, and Life Starts Now. Listening to these three albums, I could not stop playing them on repeat. Somehow, after all these years, I have only been able to see them live once. This was baffling to me that I would keep missing every time they were in town. When Three Days Grace announced their latest tour with Chevelle and support from Loathe, I promised I would not miss them again. I devoted two hours in traffic to make sure I made it on time to the Hollywood Palladium, as I was not missing any band for this show.
Opening the night was a band called Loathe, who travelled all the way from Liverpool, England just to bring their controlled chaos of music to the people of Los Angeles. I call it controlled chaos as Loathe blends aspects of Metalcore, Nu Metal, Shoegaze, and jazz elements together. Mixing all these aspects into a pot created a unique sound that caught me off guard and blew me away. Playing music this chaotic, you need a front man that can help carry that energy, and that’s what you get in Kadeem France. From scream-singing at the audience, to letting beautiful melodic vocals come through, to breaking out James Brown-esque dance moves, Kadeem captivates the crowd. Erik Bickerstaffe is pulling double duty, bringing out the fuzziest of guitar tones, while lulling the crowd to be at ease with soothing keyboard grooves. Bassist Feisal El-Khazragi and drummer Sean Radcliffe were in perfect harmony crafting low end beats that let the crowd seamlessly switch from bopping in the crowd to raging in the mosh pit. Loathe had the shortest set of the night, but they made it count with songs like “Aggressive Evolution,” “New Faces in the Dark,” “Heavy Is the Head That Falls With the Weight of a Thousand Thoughts,” “Screaming,” “Is It Really You?,” and ending with “Gored.” Loathe should be on more people’s radar as they add so much unique flavor any metal fans playlist.
Up next is a band whose name I have always known, but if you asked me to name a song, I couldn’t to save my life. Yet, as they played their set, I came to realize I knew quite a lot of Chevelle songs. So much so that I was singing along for a few of them. I have friends who always talk very highly about Chevelle, but I never took the time to actively listen to them. Though, I personally feel that made seeing them live even more exciting and fun as I had no idea what to expect going in. Opening their set with the instrumental track “Verruckt,” singer and guitarist Pete Loeffler was wailing on his guitar, keeled over his guitar like a 70s punk rocker lost in the sauce of his own groove. As they moved into “An Island” and Pete started singing, he has a tenor vocal range that sounds like candy to the ears. His older brother Sam Loeffler is the timekeeper of the band, blasting away on the drum kit. Even having his drum set on a riser, Sam could be seen with the biggest smile of the night as he played. You could feel how much joy it brings him to perform for their fans. Throughout the set Pete would make his way around Sam’s drum kit to be able to perform next to and by his brothers side, and always making it back to the mic before his vocals come back in. Chevelle played a set consisting of songs like “Door to Door Cannibals,” “Self Destructor,” “Vitamin R (leading Us),” “Young Wicked,” “Joyride (Omen),” “Face to the Floor,” “The Clincher,” “Forfeit,” “Send the Pain Below,” “Comfortable Liar,” “The Red,” and ending with “Mars Simula” off their latest album NIRATIAS. Even though Chevelle was a pleasant surprise to me, it shows that I really need to listen to my friends more often when they recommend me music.
As we waited with bated breath for our headliners to come on, high school Matt’s excitement continued to grow. Years of singing in the car, screaming my voice out while stuck in traffic to these guys, and we were moments away. As the lights dimmed and a giant LCD wall screen illuminated with the name Three Days Grace, the crowd erupted with excitement. Opening with a new song “So Called Life” off their latest album Explosions, the crowd was already singing along. Proving that Three Days Grace can continue to create music that is beloved by their fans. Lead singer Matt Walst was feeding off the energy of the crowd. Throughout the show he was getting more animated with his stage presence as the crowd gave their all back to him. Hearing Barry Stock play some of the most iconic guitar lines of my formative years, I could sing along with them before the actual lyrics came in, put me into a bliss. Bassist Brad Walst snarled with intense bass face, while drummer Neil Sanderson pounded away on the kit high on his riser. Three Days Grace played songs from their entire discography, showing that the Adan Gontier years were not the bands only hay day. The crowd continued to let the mosh pit rage with songs like “Animal I have Become,” “I Am Machine,” “Home,” “The Good Life,” “Pain,” “The Mountain,” “Painkiller,” “World So Cold,” “Just Like You,” “Break,” “Lifetime,” “I Hate Everything About You,” “Never Too Late,” and bringing out special guest Kyle Konkiel of Bad Wolves for the final song “Riot.” The amount of love and admiration I have for this band could not be contained as I sang my voice ragged with each song.
As the fans walked out of the venue, you could see the sweat dripping from every person as we have all let go of our inhibitions and anxieties to let just let the music flow through us. I could see it on everyone’s face how much these bands music has meant to every one of us. Chevelle and Three Days Grace have both been going through for over two decades, and their music has touched so many of us, helping us through some of the hardest times in our lives. The least we could do is honor the bands by showing up every time they come to town, and I sincerely can not wait for the next time they come back through.
Hunnypot Live presented Aux & Mic, a groundbreaking live performance freestyle collaboration event that brings together the finest artists and producers from the realms of hip-hop, Rap, R&B, and electronic sounds. Our event serves as a catalyst, igniting the stage with scintillating beats and captivating lyrical prowess. Going beyond a one-time experience, we aim to transform each Volume into an engaging web series, where every Cypher from our talented lineup becomes an episode on popular video and audio podcasting platforms.
Unlike traditional Open Mic events that often prioritize lyricists and burden artists with performance fees or ticket sales targets, Aux & Mic recognizes the integral role of producers in an artist's success. We understand the significance of preparation time for both demographics, allowing them to focus on honing their craft. Our platform provides a stage where artists and producers can showcase their skills without the pressures of financial obligations or ticket sales, enabling them to truly shine and elevate the art form.
Introducing Ryan A. Wallace, a visionary at the young age of 30. Hailing from the vibrant city of Mount Vernon, New York, with Jamaican roots running deep.
Ryan's journey is a testament to his pursuit of knowledge. He holds an Associates in Business Administration from San Diego Mesa College, another Associates in Applied Sciences and Applied Technologies from Central Texas College, and not to forget, a Bachelor's in Management Information Systems from San Diego State University.
But it's not just about academics for Ryan. In 2015, while stationed in Spain during his final years in the United States Navy, he and his best friend, Lovans Florial, dreamt up an idea that would change the game. Lonely Floater, born in 2016, started as an apparel brand for creatives searching for unique self-expression.
However, they soon realized their magnetic pull toward music and visual artists. Thus, Lonely Floater transformed into a Multimedia Marketing Agency, firmly rooted in Arts & Entertainment, with a special focus on Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music, and Rock & Roll.
Their community is a haven for creative souls seeking unconventional ways to express themselves. They thrive on individualism within the crowd and proudly defy adversity. You can join their movement by snagging some of their innovative clothing at www.LonelyFloater.com.
Their mission is clear: provide a stage for those who feel left out of the mainstream and unite them with something inclusive to share. They're rewriting the script on today's artists, pop culture, underground events, and music festivals.
Ryan's journey doesn't stop there. He teamed up with an ensemble of talented individuals – Matt Wallace, Max Wallet, Zach Heinrich, Jake Moats, and Johnathan Mackie – to create The San Diego Unified Bass District (SdubD or The Bass District). It's a grassroots multi-genre musical and artistic movement that shines a spotlight on emerging musicians from Southern California and beyond.
What sets them apart is their commitment to breaking free from genre constraints, giving artists from diverse backgrounds the chance to connect and collaborate. Their success stems from sheer determination and the boundless creativity of their diverse team.
Every year, they host the legendary Moonlight Mirage music festival, where House, Bass, Hip-Hop, and Rock and Roll artists come together on two mind-blowing stages. It's a genre-blurring experience you won't find anywhere else, and it's a must-attend event.
But that's not all. Aux & Mic is one of the experiential offerings created to expand and fortify the Lowbtk Floater, The Bass District, and Moonlight Mirage collectives.
Aux & Mic is a groundbreaking live performance freestyle collaboration event that brings together the finest artists and producers from the realms of HipHop, Rap, RnB, and electronic sounds. Their event serves as a catalyst, igniting the stage with scintillating beats and captivating lyrical prowess. Going beyond a one-time experience, they aim to transform each Volume into an engaging web series, where every Cypher from their talented lineup becomes an episode on popular video and audio podcasting platforms.
This platform provides a stage where artists and producers can showcase their skills without the pressures of financial obligations or ticket sales, enabling them to truly shine and elevate the art form.
Is a celebrity DJ based in Los Angeles California. Currently the DJ for Tyrese Gibson the trio group "TGT" and also the DJ for essential app Shazam, as special events DJ such as Grammy party's new artist performances and private company events.
"Xoul" began as a mix-show DJ in Seattle on two of the station's top numbers producing shows the "8 o'clock bounce" and the "extended bounce weekend" and also filled in as DJ for the "traffic jam". Formerly known as DJ-XTC on KUBE 93 His popularity grew and he formed a successful 10 year long events company that packed clubs throughout the entire Northwest from Canada to Oregon and even northern California.
During his career as a radio DJ he has opened for some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Beyoncé Lenny Kravitz, 50 Cent, Bon Jovi, and Ludacris to name just a few from the dozens notched under his belt. All the while He managed to DJ For corporate companies, non-profits and charities like Microsoft, Pepsi Children's Hospital, Subway, American Lung Association, and Gamestop to name just a few. Corporate gigs is all but new to the veteran.
Making his big move to California Xoul was signed to Smash House a music producer and DJ signed to major DJ management Soul-Mgmt and also assigned to indie label Itchy Music and somehow currently general manager as an exclusive private recording studio in Universal City with Sony's former production ace in his pursuit have the "next big sound" legitimately posted by Billboard.
Introducing the electrifying personality host of Los Angeles, a dynamic entertainer who knows how to bring energy to any event! With a hosting style that spans from pep rallies to concerts, this charismatic host is the go-to choice for keeping crowds engaged and entertained. With a background in music and a natural flair for comedy, this host combines professionalism with originality like no other. Whether it's rallying a crowd at a sports event or setting the stage for a memorable concert, you can count on their unique blend of humor and musical expertise to create an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, this Los Angeles host will have you laughing, singing, and dancing along, making every event a one-of-a-kind celebration. Get ready for a high-energy, professionally entertaining experience that only this host can deliver!
BeachLife Ranch 2023 is now in the history books. The three-day festival in Redondo Beach is billed as celebrating the cowboy surfer way of life. A Country and Americana music festival that’s held on the beach. With two full-sized main stages, Highlands on artificial turf, and Lowlands directly on the beach, along with two smaller semi-enclosed areas, there was plenty of music to be heard everywhere on the festival grounds.
Even though the event was pretty much country themed, from the graphics and signage to the selling of legit cowboy hats, the music and artists transcended that genre, as did the audience. The audience could also choose to experience the music any way they felt. The Highlands and Lowlands performances were staggered, so as not to have the cacophony of artists playing at the same time. But if you chose to stay on the beach during a Highlands set, giant video screens would show you the performance going on while the live music was easily heard. And vice versa with Lowlands.
Day One highlights were many and varied.
Early in the overcast day Goodnight, Texas took the Lowlands stage. This five-piece folk-rock band takes its name from the midpoint between the two frontmen’s homes of San Francisco, CA and Chapel Hill, NC. Rounding out the band were Scott Padden on drums, Adam Nash on lead guitar, pedal steel, violin, and Chris Sugiura on bass. This is a band that knows how to deliver on many levels, so much so, their newest single, “Runaways,” features Kirk Hammett of Metallica. (No, Kirk did not guest appear.)
Leaving the sand and heading over to the Highlands stage, it was time to check out Pillbox Patti. This Florida native, (real name: Nicolette Hayford) is now Nashville-based and was originally a songwriter who moved to the stage only recently. The Pillbox Patti persona was created to distinguish the artist from the songwriter. Her music is a different kind of country, she steers into the tougher part of life. She does it with passion and as she told the audience more than once, a drink in her hand. What was she drinking, who knows? But her performance that included songs like, “Young and Stupid” and “Eat Pray Drugs,” showed everyone she’s out to make a statement and is a performer to watch out for.
Back to the sand and to Rome. Rome Ramirez, that is. Teaming up with Duddy to form the side project, Rome & Duddy, they were the first act to really bring the beach to Beachlife Ranch. The reggae-flavored band did their obligatory ode to weed with “Cannabis Tree,” but they also remembered the other part of the audience with a Willie Nelson cover of “Roll Me Up.” Of course, that too is a pot tribute.
It's not often that one gets to witness world records getting broken in a concert setting, but that’s exactly what happened next on the Highland stage. Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter set a record for fastest time to play a concert in each of the 50 states, completing the feat in a just 49 days. The plan had always been to end it at BeachLife. (Frankenreiter happens to be a surfer as well as a part owner of BeachLife Festival.) So as tired as they might have been spending just nine hours in Hawaii before getting on a plane to California for the final show, they brought the energy in a big way. Allman is a beast on guitar playing his white Gibson SG with fire and passion. He sings the same way and traded lead vocal duties with Frankenreiter. It was fun set that could have gone on much longer. The reality about festivals like this is that the bands have hard outs with truncated sets. On the other hand, the audience gets to see things they might never see again. Like Donavon and Devon getting a guitar each from Gibson and framed records for their record-breaking journey.
Next up: Shakey Graves out of Austin, Texas. Alejandro Rose-Garcia is another performer who has adopted a stage name and his background as a professional actor came through as he hit the giant Highlands stage all by his lonesome. Shakey Graves has some stage presence. But musical talent explodes from his fingers and his feet. As he finger-picked his hollow body guitar, a stomping kickdrum followed. Then he started to sing. The man can do it all, combining country, blues, folk, and rock and roll. He was also the first performer to truly take advantage of the catwalk that reached into the Highlands audience. (Pillbox Patti and Devon Allman only came out about halfway.) He was joined by a backing band wearing matching black jumpsuits, but make no mistake: This was the Shakey Graves show.
As the sun went down, the lights went up on the Lowlands stage for The Avett Brothers. Hailing from North Carolina and led by brothers Scott and Seth, the band filled out the stage in an impressively. In addition to the namesake Avetts, Bob Crawford on bass, Joe Kwon on cello, Mike Marsh on drums, Tania Elizabeth on violin, and Bonnie Avett-Rini on piano. They line up five across, letting the audience get a good looking at the violin and cello action of which there was plenty. It also gave space for easily viewed banjo and violin duels between Scott Avett and Tania Elizabeth.
Then, there was Jack. Even though it was a strong Day One line up, throughout the day you could hear people in the crowd saying, “I’m here for Jack.” or “I flew all the way just for Jack.” That Jack is of course, Jack Johnson, Day One’s headliner who closes out the show on the Highlands stage. Johnson without a doubt brought the Beach to BeachLife. Armed with just his acoustic guitar and wearing a zip up hoodie, he was still able to command the huge stage with just his voice, his playing, and of course, his words. It’s what he does. He has a power all his own that comes not from movement or attitude, but from nuance. A tilt of the head, a slight smile. His audience knows when to look for these things and they love it when they find them.
But Johnson also loves to share the stage and this being a festival setting, there were plenty of artists and friends to join him. Throughout the 21-song set, Johnson brought many of the day’s players and stars on stage to join him. Donavon Frankenreiter, The Avett Brothers, Afie Jurvanen (frontman for Bahamas) came out during the set for a song or two, with everyone coming back out for a singalong finale of “Better Together.” With those acts joining Johnson, and the audience singing along, it felt like Johnson transcended the notion solo artist at least for this evening.
The 25th of September at The Fonda was a magical and community-driven experience. Looking at the crowd, you could tell how much the fans love and appreciate David Kushner and Chance Pena. Everyone waited in anticipation for the first artist of the night to grace the stage.
The first artist being Chance Pena, and his music and presence instantly created a warm nostalgic atmosphere. His music gives off the feeling of doing your best in life and what it’s like to take every experience day by day but also the warm feeling of coming home after being away for so long as a stronger person than who you were before. His music is relatable and has given me strength and hope, and I’m sure it’s done the same for many of his fans as well. I feel his music is unique as well and I love the gentle melodies and poetic lyrics.
Each song he sang was special in its own way and had its own unique story. I’m sure this is just the beginning and Chance’s music will change the lives of many more people in the future. "Star Hopping Lover" and "I Am Not Who I Was" are two of my favorite songs by him, the lyrics have really stuck with me. If you haven’t listened to him yet, I promise no matter who you are, you’ll find at least one song that you’ll feel a connection with. His music also fills me with a desire to travel and see more of the world and the people who inhabit it, to open my mind and heart to more opportunities.
When he got off the stage, I wasn’t ready for it to be over. Although you could already tell the next and final act was destined to be a thrilling experience and memory as well. The crowd grew more excited with each passing moment, some of them were even proudly holding up signs showing their support for David Kushner. I remember there being this wholesome moment where several people were waving and holding up hearts in the audience and you could feel all the love and warm energy that was filling up the space. David Kushner made a grand entrance in a ray of flashing lights. I later found out he wasn’t feeling well while performing but he still kept his composure and gave it his all. Which I feel speaks volumes for just how talented and dedicated he is to his music and fans. His music is enchanting and has a deep but beautiful sadness to it that will echo in your head. "Mr. Forgettable" is one of my favorite songs by him. I feel like it’s a song that a lot of people can relate to, especially if you’ve experienced depression. During some of the songs he came out into the audience and from the fans reactions to it, you could tell just how important those moments were.
I also really liked the moments when I saw him smiling while playing with his guitar player and just really any moment I caught a smile. David always looked cool on stage but whenever he smiled it just made everything feel more warm and magical. During the finale for the night, the stage was covered in a sea of red smoke and a poet came up on stage to read a poem that is connected to David Kushner’s song "Daylight". It was a very powerful poem that impressed both me and my friend that I came with. Hearing "Daylight" live, I could understand how it blew up so quickly, and seeing it live just is a whole different experience compared to just finding it on a TikTok video. The song was more powerful.
Besides the artists, I met a lot of amazing people at this show, one of them was a young photographer who was only 15 but filled with determination to make it as a concert photographer and in my eyes just from her courage to reach out to seize opportunities and her passion for music, she will be a photographer that everyone should be keeping their eyes on. I also got a chance to interact with Chance Pena and some of his team by the merch table. They were all lovely people who were great to interact with. I was really impressed and touched by the fact that even though Chance was probably really tired, he took time to talk to all of his fans who approached him, took pictures with them and even signed some shirts. One of the notable interactions, that I thought was really awesome was hearing that Chance does his best to try to look at everything his fans tag him in on social media. He highly values everyone who supports him and I’m sure David Kushner does as well. I can’t wait to get another chance to catch both of these artists again and to see more of the impact they have on the world.
Armed with new vocalist Marc Lopes, a reborn, revitalized, and re-invigorated Metal Church are setting out this summer to write the first chapter of a new era for the band. Following the tragic suicide of beloved singer Mike Howe in 2021, many wondered if the metal legends would call it quits. The band’s creative force and only remaining original member, Kurdt Vanderhoof had been working with Howe on new material together prior to Howe’s untimely death. Vanderhoof ultimately decided he wanted to complete the album in honor of his friend and bandmate.
Enter Marc Lopes – a long-time friend of Metal Church bassist Steve Unger and drummer Stet Howland. After working with the band casually to test the waters, it soon became clear Lopes was the “guy” and the band moved forward recording their latest release, Congregation of Annihilation. As Marc’s aggressive vocal style was more similar to previous vocalist David Wayne, Vanderhoof felt it was time to move in an old school musical direction with a bit of modern twist. The results have been outstanding – the album of edgy classic thrash metal tracks has been well-received, especially by fans of the band’s earlier years.
With a new killer album out, how would the new singer pass the live performance test? Would the band still possess the musical passion and drive after enduring pandemic delays, the death of Howe, and more recently the passing of former long-time drummer Kirk Arrington in May? Metal Church rolled into Brick by Brick in San Diego and were greeted by enthusiast long-time fans, many adorned in Metal Church shirts (including myself!) including one dedicated fan dressed as a Metal Church pope. While it was a Monday night, the energy and anticipating of the crowd was very evident.
The fast tempo opener, “Ton of Bricks” quenched the crowd’s thirst for an immediate intense face melter. Newcomer Lopes stormed the stage with bold reckless abandon, nailing the vocals impressively and enticing the crowd to get fired up. It was obvious right away that Lopes vocals fit perfectly - edgy and gritty with powerful screams right in the Metal Church stylistic wheelhouse, while also adding his own touches, a modern metal vibe of his own.
The set list was amazing, heavy on material from the first two albums Metal Church and The Dark. Heavy hitters like “Gods of Wrath”, “Watch the Children Pray”, “Start the Fire” and two deep cut surprises “Burial at Sea” and “Hitman”! Two Howe era songs were rightfully included, the epic classic “Badlands” and the headbanging metal anthem “Fake Healer”. Two songs of the new album were incredible. “Pick a God and Prey” is a thrash metal masterpiece, crunchy metal guitar hook and melodic aggressive catchy vocals. “Me the Nothing” is another new tune that just slaps your face and demands your attention – it includes a classic Metal Church non-distorted clean guitar only intro, then explodes with a mid-tempo kick ass hook and catchy aggressive vocal delivery that has you shouting, “Me the Nothing!”. The final encores almost blew the roof off the place, threatening to turn Brick by Brick into a “ton of bricks”, with the timeless and haunting “Beyond the Black” and first album title track “Metal Church”.
The band lineup is both formidable musically and fun to watch. Bassist Steve Unger has been with the band 20 years now and he and his rhythm section partner Stet Howland fire up a very powerful and loud metal engine. Howland (formerly of WASP) has been with the band since 2017 and always seems to be having a blast back there on the drums. Many drummers twirl their sticks, but Howland does it effortlessly right in the middle of monster fills furiously rolling left to right across the tom rack! Guitarist Rick Van Zandt, band member since 2008, is the technical guitar wizard, both pounding the hooks and shredding many solos. Finally, there’s Vanderhoof, the band quarterback, proudly ripping out riffs with his familiar Les Paul and Marshall amp setup. Vanderhoof took a moment to give a heartfelt thank you to the crowd for their support, noting the losses the “Metal Church family” had endured recently. It was great to see one of my metal heroes back in action.
I left the show energized and encouraged that Metal Church had risen from the depths of tragedy, found a great new singer, released an incredible new album, and was back playing live all for the joy of playing metal and giving back to the fans. With touring planned around the world in ’23-’23, a new era of Metal Church is off to a great start.
Rock on and be well!
Greg Vitalich
In the heart of Toronto, a night of sonic devastation unfolded as four titans of extreme metal descended upon REBEL, leaving a trail of shattered eardrums and awestruck souls in their wake. The evening commenced with a cosmic journey led by Denver-based Blood Incantation, guided by the deft hands of Paul Riedl, Morris Kolontyrsky, Isaac Faulk, and the bass wizardry of their own, the mysterious fourth member. Following suit were the enigmatic Gorguts, helmed by the visionary Luc Lemay on rhythm guitar and vocals, with Kevin Hufnagel commanding lead guitar, Colin Marston providing the pulsating bass, and Patrice Hamelin on drums, solidifying their House of Wisdom-inspired performance.
Blood Incantation's set was a revelation, a seamless fusion of caustic riffage and eerie psychedelia that set the tone for the night. Tracks like "Disfigured" and "Evisceration Plague" showcased their technical acumen, weaving intricate melodies with bone-crushing aggression. The crowd, initially still, succumbed to the irresistible gravitational pull of their cosmic soundscape, succumbing to the irresistible gravitational pull of their cosmic soundscape.
Following in their wake, Gorguts emerged, unearthing the House of Wisdom with a sonic tapestry that defied easy categorization. Luc Lemay's masterful command of the guitar led the charge, each riff a narrative thread in their intricate musical tapestry. Kevin Hufnagel's lead guitar work danced between the boundaries of chaos and catharsis, while Colin Marston's basslines added an earth-shaking foundation to their sonic onslaught. Patrice Hamelin's drumming was a controlled explosion, a relentless barrage of precision and power. Tracks like "Pit of Zombies" and "Hammer Smashed Face" elicited a fervent response from the crowd, a testament to the enduring legacy of this death metal behemoth.
As the night deepened, the stage was shrouded in an aura of malevolence as black metal legends, Mayhem, emerged. Attila Csihar's vocals, ranging from guttural growls to ethereal chants, added an eerie dimension to Mayhem's already formidable sonic assault. The stage filled with smoke and the band was silhouetted against the lights, casting an otherworldly aura. Classics like "Freezing Moon" left the crowd in the throes of a collective trance, a testament to the enduring power of Mayhem's dark incantations.
Finally, the stage was set for the masters of carnage, Cannibal Corpse, to bring their brutal assault to life. Frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, armed with his monstrous neck, led the charge alongside guitarists Rob Barrett and Erik Rutan, bass phenom Alex Webster, and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz. George Fisher’s signature hair thrashing was on full display, a whirlwind of intensity that left the front rows drenched in sweat.
Opening with "Scourge of Iron," the band wasted no time in establishing their dominance. Alex Webster's wicked bass lines, a signature of Cannibal Corpse's sound, reverberated through the venue, each note a seismic tremor. Tracks like "Blood Blind" and "Inhumane Harvest" showcased Cannibal Corpse's technical prowess, seamlessly weaving intricate melodies with bone-crushing aggression. With each thunderous riff and guttural growl, they reaffirmed their status as masters of carnage.
In the end, the night was a testament to the enduring power of extreme metal, a genre that thrives on its ability to challenge, to evolve, and ultimately, to transcend. Each band brought their unique sonic vision to the stage, leaving the audience spellbound and craving more. As the final notes of "Hammer Smashed Face" reverberated through the venue, it was clear that these four titans of metal had left an indelible mark on Toronto, a night that will be etched in the annals of extreme music history.
When we think about Tech N9ne and all that he has done and created, it’s usually fast raps and hard beats. It’s what he’s been known for as long as I’ve been listening to him. Upon releasing “Pull Out” featuring Head Da Don, I anticipated another ripper and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth this track was. From beginning to end we got a great taste of how well rounded Tech is and we are here for it. What’s to come, who knows but I think it will be an exciting new era for him while also keeping it real and true to his roots. We even may see a collab with Ronnie Radke after his appearance at their show in KC and follow up tweet from Ronnie himself but that’s all speculation. Give “Pull Out” a spin and let us know what you think.
- James Coffman
Hunnypot is proud to be THE DARTS official sync representative. Check out the music video to their song "Spy Girl". It's a hard rock banger from a cool all-female band. The music video shows a combination of clips from their live shows with funky and fun edits.
Ask us about licensing!
Best Ex is releasing her music video for "The End" on October 6th, in combination with the release of her album With A Smile. Best Ex says that the song "The End" is built out of frustration for the state of the world.
Some information about Best Ex, who also goes by Mariel Loveland, is that living in the shadow of NYC in Northern New Jersey, she got her start battling it out in the rough and tumble suburban scene with her nostalgia-tinged punk outfit Candy Hearts in 2010. Within two short years, she went from playing basements across the East Coast to sharing the stage with pop punk heavyweights like Man Overboard, New Found Glory and Weezer. After a final stint on Vans Warped Tour in 2015, she adopted the moniker Best Ex, trading energetic guitars for fuzzed-out synths, dreamy acoustics and a melodic sweet tooth that rivaled Carly Rae Jepson's or Sky Ferreira's.
The countdown to #500 continued with show #496 and again, we blew some minds. Our industry Co-Host was Hunnypot intern alumni and current head of sync for Believe, Heather Boyd.
The night was chock-full of musical treasures, opening is Jessica Carter Altman, musician, songwriter, artist, and daughter of Linda Carter, (the all-time greatest Wonder Woman). Airbender One shares some tracks from her debut album #Antidote". Busting out some Power Pop was 19-year-old and Guinness World Record Holder for Most National Anthems sung in their host countries in one year (an astounding record of 76) Capri and St. Louis hip-hop icon Zeus Rebel Waters returned for his Hunnypot Live residency finale. Zeus brought fellow St. Louis rap stars BSG TLO, Juss fuZe, Wilo D, Duke Boi, and Mike Jays to the stage.
Another fantastic night, listen to the full show using the links provided. #WhereMusicLoversGoToPlay
Heather Boyd is Head of Sync, North America at Believe, the world's biggest fully-independent label and artist services company, distributor, and publisher headquartered in Paris. As the first US hire at Believe, Heather pioneered the expansion of their US footprint. She pitches music for film, TV, advertising, trailers, and video games from Believe’s growing roster of international artists, including The Blaze, Novo Amor, Milky Chance, YONAKA, Jadu Heart, and more.
Raised in Potomac, Maryland, Jessica Carter Altman was surrounded by a strong and supportive family. Her mother, the legendary Lynda Carter, helped build a steadfast sense of self in the singer and her father, Robert A. Altman instilled a love for law and philanthropy. Wrapped in an insatiable well of creativity and public service, Jessica followed along in her father’s footsteps, starting a law career after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. Her desire to help others and be a voice for those who are often silenced propelled Jessica into a successful and impactful imprint at Gibson Dunn — only to realize in 2020 that she felt like her actions spoke louder through the words she’d lace together in song.
Understanding Jessica’s childhood passion for music is another key to understanding just why, despite her profound respect for the legal profession, she had to shift gears and pursue her career full-time. She has fond childhood memories of listening to everything from popular bands of the 90’s to Nina Simone, Etta James, The Rolling Stones, Mary Chapin-Carpenter and Trisha Yearwood and pulls from an eclectic catalog of musical influences including Billie Holliday, Amy Winehouse, and Boygenius to name a few.
Jessica’s music exposes some of the deepest and most difficult human emotions but does so wrapped in warmth, allowing the listener to approach these feelings head-on and embrace them alongside her. The singer evokes the feeling of having a private conversation with her audience, bridging the gap between artistry and humanity that resonates with the many layers of living that exist.
Airbender One is a multi-media artist specializing in music and immersive art. Having received her name as a trained neon bender and musician, she creates sonic landscapes to feature her unique, songwriting. With a calling to proliferate transcendent, raw, connective themes that showcase a journey of overcoming universal challenges,
Airbender One takes listeners on a journey with her debut album Antidote - a self-produced 13-track experiential album.
Capri an 19-year-old, Canadian Guinness World Record-holding singer now based in LA with over 1.1 million followers across her social platforms. Her songs have amassed millions of streams from Spotify to TikTok and YouTube and the music video for her song “Not Your Toy" has gone viral.
Capri's most recent release, "Wonder" hit Top 40 on the charts and the music video has over half a million views after the first week. Be here to see Capri on an intimate stage before she hits the stadiums, you'll be able to tell your friends you saw her play Hunnypot first.
Zeus Rebel Waters is an American hip-hop artist/songwriter, entrepreneur, single-dad, community leader, and philanthropist. The St. Louis native brings a distinct sound and style to hip hop known simply as Gumbo - a gritty blend of all genres mixed with melodic cadence and eclectic rhymes.
The indie rapper brings raw energy to the stage and unleashes it to all his fellow "Rebels" making his live show an experience of high-intensity and positive vibes.
From humble beginnings to Hoo Bangin’ Records, Waters has become a major player throughout the bi-state region. Now, the deity rapper is setting his sights on the global market. With business ventures in fashion, film, and community development, Zeus’ imprint goes far beyond bars and tracks. Make no mistake, Zeus Rebel Waters is here!
FACEBOOK TWITTER SPOTIFY INSTRAGRAM
Juss a kid tryna do something better for my son that what I had as a kid. I own a tattoo/Vape shop. Looking for my chance to become something of myself.
