It has been ages since Rabit and I have been to the YouTube Theater in Inglewood. As many of you readers know by now, the YouTube Theater is an attached performance center at SoFi Stadium, created for more intimate concerts and performances. First time we were there, it was after they lifted the pandemic shutdown rules, and we went & saw Slash with Myles Kennedy. The design of this place was state of the art and the acoustics they built into the venue made the sound much crisper. That was a couple of years ago, and we were ready for a new show to blow on by. Then, we had gotten word to cover thrash metal gods Megadeth on their Destroy All Enemies tour, and they would not be destroying their enemies alone. Alternative/nu metal gurus Mudvayne and modern metal bashers All That Remains tagged along with Megadeth to bring to us their own symphonies of destruction. Just like rats in the streets, Rabit and I were about to follow to the tune of the metal pied pipers.

All That Remains revved up the metal engines and brought the metalheads of the YouTube Theater to their feet. It has been so damn long since I have seen the Springfield, Mass kick some metal ass, and they did not disappoint. Frontman Philip Labonte is still a skull-crushing, brutal SOB who commands a powerful scream that raises all the hair on both my arms. He gets in your face when he screams, but he always brings a melodic harmony to his style. Lead guitarist Jason Richardson is a master at blending the traditional All That Remains riffs with his djent/progressive licks. He has been a fine addition to the group ever since the passing of founding guitarist Oli Herbert. Along with rhythm guitarist Mike Martin, drumming newcomer Anthony Barone, and returning bassist Matt Deis, the L.A. crowd was treated to a delightful assortment of crispy, hard-edge metal tunes like “Now Let Them Tremble,” “Chiron,” “Six,” “This Calling,” “Two Weeks,” and these two tunes that sets up their next album, “Divine” and “Let You Go.” It was a stellar performance, and I believe Oli was playing right beside his brothers. That is but a taste of the metal strength All That Remains plans on putting out to the world in near future.

It was time to embrace the sinister side of heavy metal with Mudvayne. Donning their traditional horror film-style clown makeup, we stepped into their demonized circus and enjoyed the show, starting with their classic “Dig.” Frontman Chad Gray is a clown’s worst nightmare with his complexion and vicious voice. This motherfucker pulled no punches when he delivered the lyrics, and he looked so buff, probably the best shape he has ever been in. What I love about Gray is his humility to fans and his love for the genre that he says saved his life (and it saved mine). Hell of a man. Guitarist Greg Tribbett was razor sharp as he supplied the sonic, complex riffs that made Mudvayne a household name in the metal community. It is like he was possessed by the guitar demon that bestowed him his talent. Bassist Ryan Martinie is a sight to see with his multifarious plucking that gives the songs a funky/alternative melody that gives headbanging a new sense of belonging. Drummer Matthew McDonough tortured his Pearl drum set with his beastly pounds and rhythmic slashes. Mudvayne was absolute dominate with their tunes like “Under My Skin,” “Not Falling,” “Death Blooms,” “Internal Primates Forever,” “Fall Into Sleep,” “Dull Boy,” “A New Game,” “Nothing to Gein,” “World So Cold,” and “Happy?.” No word yet if a new album is on the horizon, but until that day is announced, Mudvayne is taking us on a nostalgic ride on their metal roller coaster, and we will be getting back in line for another ride.

After a 30-minute set change, the venue lit up as Megadeth graced us with their presence, kicking things off with “The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!” Frontman/guitarist Dave Mustaine was a glorious spectacle to witness. The way the master of thrash was shredding and singing, you would not think he just beat throat cancer. His signature voice is very guttural-like that it gives the lyrics a fiercer sound, and the way he “spider chord” the riffs on his signature Flying Vs make them powerful. This is the first time seeing their newest guitar partner in Teemu Mäntysaari. Known for his time Wintersun, this Finnish shred master is a perfect partner-in-chords for Mustaine since the unexpected departure of Kiko Loureiro. His blend of power metal and thrash gives new life to Megadeth. Bassist James LoMenzo strummed the perfect bass riffs that have always been in Megadeth, destructive and defined. Drummer Dirk Verbeuren continues to slice through the beats like a hot knife in butter. He has been one of their best drummers since Nick Menza and Shawn Drover.

Megadeth’s entire set was chaotic and electrifying, causing many metalheads to try and bum rush to the pits, where the tornado of death was at its finest. The main point of this tour was to promote their best feat yet, The Sick, the Dying…the Dead! That record was 6 years in making that kept getting pushed back due to the pandemic, the lockdown, and Mustaine’s cancer scare. However, that which does not kill the band made them stronger and almightier than before. Only two songs from that album were played, the self-titled track and “We’ll Be Back,” which were perfect that night. Megadeth performed a great selection of their classic ditties, most of which came from Countdown to Extinction. From “Dread and the Fugitive Mind” to “Wake Up Dead,” “In My Darkest Hour,” “Hangar 18,” “Sweating Bullets,” “Liar” (first time performed live in 18 years), “Skin o’ My Teeth,” “Angry Again,” “She-Wolf,” “Countdown to Extinction,” “The Conjuring,” “Trust,” “Tornado of Souls,” “Symphony of Destruction,” “Mechanix,” and “Peace Sells,” we metalheads of SoCal were in metal heaven. The whole performance, Rabit and I air-guitared the shit out of each song. Of course, Megadeth’s performance would not be complete without an encore of “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due.” The way Mustaine carried himself all night, he was a messenger of God!

Holy shit! The energy that was put out in the YouTube Theater was unreal. Honestly, this was probably the best performances that we have seen from all three groups. They were all dominant, accurate, and chaotic to a positive note. Megadeth and Mudvayne have never looked so good before. Both Mustaine and Gray looked in great shape and were like roaring lions ruling over their respective kingdoms. For All That Remains, they continue to be a driving force and influence for other modern metal bands today, and Labonte is leading his pack of wolves looking for their prey. Most important of all, Mustaine promised the crowd that Megadeth will be back. Rabit and I had the best time of all the metal shows we have been to since the pandemic ended, and we are just getting started. To Megadeth, Mudvayne, and All That Remains, I salute you. Horns up!!!

P.S. Megadeth is right, peace sells but whose buying!?

PHOTOS BY:  MATT 'RABIT' MARTINEZ

In honor of Jimmy Cliff’s 80th birthday and in the wake of the Jamaican Independence Day, Walshy Fire of Major Lazer has remixed a selection of songs from The Harder They Come soundtrack. James Chambers, better know as Jimmy Cliff, was born in St. James, Jamaica and at the age of 14 moved with his father to Kingston where within a few years caught the eye of Leslie Kong and had his first hit, “Hurricane Hattie.” And he never stopped from there. He became a reggae legend and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. In 1972 Cliff starred in and created the soundtrack for the classic reggae film, The Harder They Come. The soundtrack and movie were a huge success, bringing reggae to an international audience for the first time.  When the album was released, it charted on the Billboard 200 in North America. The Library of Congress, in 2021, selected it for preservation in the National Registry and deemed it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Walshy Fire does a really nice job remixing these classics, not doing too much to change them, but just enough to give it a little more modern feel to them. We start off with “You Can Get It If You Really Want It (Remix)” with a little more upbeat feel to it, while the original version is an upbeat song, the flow and beat are brought up a notch.  I always loved this song, and this remix is just as good! Next up is “Many Rivers To Cross (Remix),” a song I never really got into.  It is, no doubt, a great song and has been remade by so many other artists, I just wasn’t into this ballad.  The remix starts off as the original did, but then Walshy brings in an upbeat groove that works so well.  I think this is the best remix on the album, I’m really grooving to this song now, it has been playing through my head since the first time hearing it. “The Harder They Come (Remix)” is up next. This has always been a song on so many reggae play lists for many years and I think the remix can ride right along with it!  Once again, not a huge change up with this remix, but just enough bringing up the beat and energy, just a nice fresh take on this classic. We finish off with “Sitting In Limbo” a song that I always felt could have been huge in the US, it has that American late 60’s early 70’s vibe that other artists were putting out at the time.  This is another really great remix, with that upbeat groove and beat, gives it a more modern and fresher vibe. 

My first thought after listening to this, why only four songs? I think Walshy Fire did a really fantastic job remixing these classics, that is not always an easy task because you don’t want to change them up too much, change them so it looses what made it a hit and a classic.  You want to make it fresher and a little newer sounding, and Walshy hit on this. Like I said, why only four songs, after going through it a few times I was wanting even more.  It made me pull out my original The Harder They Come vinyl and just sat back and enjoyed.

One Love – Todd Judd

Spotify and the internet have benefitted so many bands by introducing them to new fans who may never have discovered them. When I discover a new band, one of the first things I do is check to see if they are touring. I can’t count the number of times that I check a newly discovered bands tour schedule, and they just played my city less than a month ago. It’s infuriating to know I just missed them. However, once in a blue moon a new band is discovered, and they are about to play my city. This happened when Spotify radio introduced me to The Hives. The band is currently on tour opening for the Foo Fighters, but instead of taking a day off to rest, The Hives decided to put on a headlining show at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. This show took place only three weeks after I discovered the band, and I knew I had to be at this headlining show to truly experience the Hives proper.

People were already packing in the house when the opening band, Spiritual Cramp kicked off this one off show. The band attacked the crowd with a controlled chaos of energy. During the opening song “Blowback” vocalist Michael Bingham jokingly stopped the band because guitarist Jacob Freeze “missed” his guitar solo. Instead, this helped amp the crowd up for the shredding Freeze was about to unleash upon us. The fans ate up the solo, and though it was so packed that a mosh pit couldn’t find the room to open, people none the less were bouncing on top of each other rocking out. Spiritual Cramps mixed the sounds of The Ramones with the Clash but had the stage presence of Black Flag. Their songs were ladened with catchy hooks, and fast paced guitar riffs, but then the band members themselves appeared to be on the verge of jumping into the audience to sing right in the faces of the crowd. They kept this energy up through their set which included songs “Earth to Mike,” “Talking on the Internet,” “Herberts on Holiday,” “Catch a Hot One,” “Dog in a Cage,” “Slick Rick,” “City on Fire,” “Tenderloin,” and ending with “Better Off This Way.” Spiritual Cramps was the best way to pump up the crowd with energy, and we were not ready to let it die down.

The Observatory was packed in tighter than I have probably ever seen it. Five giant LED letters that spelled out HIVES was loaded onto the backline of the stage as the crowd screamed with anticipation. Kicking things right into high gear with “Bogus Operandi,” the barricade could barely hold back the crowd as everyone was rocking out. Vocalist Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist was at the foot of the stage the entire night, singing right into the faces of the crowd. The Observatory’s stage setup has two elevated platforms on the sides of the stage, that’s basically in the crowd. Almqvist and lead guitarist Nicholaus Arson often found themselves standing on these platforms with fans worshipping the band members at their feet. Rhythm guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem and bassist The Johan and Only found themselves being a bit more planted in their positions on stage. Instead channeled their energy into their instrument and facial expressions as they played. Drummer Chris Dangerous, trapped behind his kit, still played up and gestured to the crowd as much as he could.

Something that heightened the Hives performance was that you could see how much the band loves and appreciates their fans, as Almqvist specifically was often on those elevated platforms, or just jumping onto the barricade to be closer to fans. Though the mosh pit had a hard time opening up, it didn’t stop fans from crowd surfing over the barricade, with the band acknowledging each person crashing over the barricade. The Hives kept this energy up through their entire set, never letting it dip for even a moment with songs like “Main Offender,” “Rigor Mortis Radio,” “Walk Idiot Walk,” “Good Samaritan,” “Go Right Ahead,” “Stick Up,” “Try it Again,” “Hate to Say I Told You So,” “I’m Alive,” “Bigger Hole to Fill,” and “Countdown to Shutdown.” Before the band could begin their encore, drummer Chris Dangerous strutted on stage smoking a cigarette and just taking in the cheers from the crowd, acting like the coolest cat in the place. Finishing off the night with “Come On!,” “Smoke & Mirrors,” and truly ending with “Tick Tick Boom.” With the final song, Almqvist couldn’t hold back anymore and jumped into the crowd, surfing over the tops of fans while still performing the song.

This was one of those rare moments where everything fell into place. I found a new band, they happened to have a live show coming up that I was able to attend, and then they blew any expectations I might have had through the roof. The Hives have earned the title of the Greatest Live Band from many sources, and Hunnypot may have to bestow them with that title as well. The band have been going strong for three decades, and from talking with fans, this is what you can expect from every show they put on. The Hives are touring with the Foo Fighters currently, before heading off to Europe for a headlining tour. Don’t do yourself a disservice by sitting on this band and make your way out to a Hives show the next chance you get! 

Nathan “Aurora” Feinstein, the former frontman for Iya Terra, along with Iya Terra drummer Tanner Arebalo, guitarist Mike Mocerino and bassist Ray Worrick, released their first self-titled album August 2^nd via Ineffable Records. Nathan wanted something different in his music, something groundbreaking, with genre-defying soundscapes. A desire to push the limits of his own creativity and plunge into new musical spaces. I always said that Iya Terra was a reggae band that performed like a metal band on stage. Just loved photographing them.  Aurorawave is a reggae-metal band that blends reggae, metal, rock, and alternative styles, effortlessly. I was able to catch them a few months back while they were touring with K. Bong and Johnny Cosmic and The Movement, and WOW did they impress me with their high energy, amazing stage presence and showmanship.  Nathan has an amazing voice, such an amazing sound he belts out, that does work with different styles and genres of music, something you do not often see and hear. And the band, they are really awesome, such great talents. And together they put in the work for this new project, and it really works.

We start off Aurowave with “Meant to Be,” a nice reggae vibe and a perfect song to start off this new journey. Great lyrics to this song, explaining where his mindset and life is at; “I'm constantly growing and never knowing/The beauty is in the balance and I have been beholding/The truth is more potent when you can really own it/The wheels are in motion, are you staying or going now?” I am totally vibing to this song, I can’t wait to hear the rest of this album. The next song is the previously released “Inferno” featuring Atreyu. We get hit with an amazing, strong guitar to start this off, a heavy rock sound and beat, that keeps that energy with a reggae groove flowin’ through.  The chorus is awesome! Brandon Saller comes in with a nice metal flow, that works well with Nathan’s voice. Mike hits us with a great guitar solo! We move to one of my favorites, “Stratosphere,” a really sweet reggae song, Nathan’s voice really stands out to me in this one, sounds so good. I put this one on repeat a few times and just kept bobbin’ my head. They stick with the reggae flow with “Rise & Shine” featuring Layton Meacham, another one of my favorites. Great flow to this and once again Nathan hits us with great lyrics and vocals and when Layton comes in it keeps that vibe going, great vocals that hits so well in this song.

Another previously released song, “Boiling Point” is next up and features The Ghost Inside. This album is about his transition and growth and so much more, and each song has so much meaning. “Hear it nonstop and you can’t really block it out/Whatever goes up comes down/The words from their mouths slither out and they’re talking loud/I wanna burn it all to the ground right now/Everybody’s got something to say/You wanna talk shit, come say it to my face/Something’s gotta give before this breaks.” This is an alternative rock song with that bit of reggae flowing in the background, but then Jonathan Vigil comes in like a brick through a window and takes this song up a notch, no a lot of notches! The energy is crazy. I was surprised at the concert a few months back, the amount of people that knew the words to this and were singing along. “See You Around” is next up and he brings us back to a more reggae flow, but a different vibe than the others. It’s a song that so many people can relate to, “I don’t wanna live forever/I just wanna live right now/Time doesn’t wait for no one/So nothing’s gonna bring me down/I don’t wanna wait for too long/To see how it all plays out/If you’re not coming with me/I’ll see you around.” Another one of my favorites is up next featuring Carter from Surfer Girl, “Life.” As you can tell, I gravitate to the reggae songs, but that is not to say I don’t like the others, I love the way Nathan mixes it together. But this song has a great reggae vibe, more great lyrics and vocals from Nathan and Carter comes in so strong, his flow is awesome and takes this groove to another level, especially with his rap flow. We get an additional track, “(after)Life” a quick verse with Nathan singing over a little piano. And then, BAM, we are hit with “Kindness” which starts off with a strong metal guitar and moves to a reggae vibe, but then we get hit with that metal-reggae jamming.  Such strong guitar and bass hitting us. This is another one of my favorites, the way the metal, rock and reggae intertwine is amazing. You get a little bit of everything, so many emotions flowing around. First time listening to this album I was working out, a really hard, uphill bike ride with a lot of resistance, I admit I was hurting, thinking about giving up, and “Kindness” comes on in the headphones and wow, it got me pumped and kept me pushing! This song features Attila, and while I don’t love the screaming vocals, it does work well in this song.

We head back to a more reggae vibe with “Background Noise” featuring Satsang.  I really like this one as well, and Satsang has such a great flow that works great with Nathan’s vocals. Another song, that goes with the whole theme, that is so meaningful. “Careful what you wish for or me you will see/Believe me when I say that you don’t want it with me/The words that you say, reflection of your heart/Don’t be surprised if my light hits your dark/Fuck around and find out, I’ll stand and wait/Haters gonna hate while creators create.” “No Love Lost” is next up, much more of that rock feel, drum hitting hard, but then the chorus comes in with that reggae vibe. I just love the way he brings these gernes together, it just works! And again, the lyrics are just so powerful and meaningful. They tell a story for Nathan but songs that everyone can relate to. We move onto “Trust & Believe” with that reggae flow, we get some horns in this one, and love how they complete this song, and the sax solo is fantastic. As we move through this album, I swear we see growth in Auroawave as a group. The album is finished off with a nice slower groove, “Expectations.” This is such a perfect song to finish this journey off with. It sums it all up and is another great song to chill to. The lyrics are so powerful! “I’ll tell you a little something that I know, People change and people grow/The past of me’s unraveling, I’m happy to let it go/Half of me is here to stay/Half of me is going away/But all of me feels all these things/I’m constantly amazed, I wanna know/Do I fit the mold that you’ve made up in your head?/Am I living up to expectations?/And do the words I say align with your narrative?/I cannot live up to your expectations.”

How would I explain Auroawave to someone that hasn’t heard them before, I would say they are high octane reggae or reggae on steroids. But I’d have to mention that the octane comes from the rock and metal added in and mixed throughout each song. I was very curious how I would like this album, Iya Terra has been one of my favorite American reggae groups, and I knew this would have that rock/metal style added in (and I am not a metal fan, I am a reggae, hip hop and R&B fan). Well, I can say this album works so well, I love this album, this journey Nathan has taken us on is fantastic. The way the genres compliment each other and intertwine is amazing, I think they pulled off a great thing here. Reggae fans will love this, rock fans will love this and even metal fans will groove to this. I love how this all came together and can’t wait to see where Nathan and Auroawave take us next.

One Love – Todd Judd

There are many attributes that can identify an artist as a true star. One of biggest things, is when an artist is identifiable by only one name, and you know exactly who that person is. Some of the first people like this to come to mind are Cher, Madonna, Prince, Slash, Sting, and there are countless others. With the ever growing talent coming into the music industry, we have stars yet to be trying to establish themselves as iconic as their predecessors. One TikToker turned pop punk star known as Jxdn has set off on a tour supporting his sophomore album When the Music Stops. His last stop was at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Bringing with him LØLØ and Gunnar. The line was around three blocks, as fans eagerly awaited to see these soon to be icons.

Before the first artist could even hit the stage, the Belasco was already jam packed with fans. It’s always great to see people showing up this early, as you know it helps pick up the energy of each artist. Right off the bat, Gunnar was performing at the foot of the stage reaching out to the fans in the front row ready to charm every last one of us. Whether it was singing right into the hearts of the crowd creating new fans, or strapped with his guitar, Gunnar was a performer through and through. He made every song count as he introduced us to his music like “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” “They Didn’t Tell Me,” “Bitter,” “Again & Again,” “Bad Idea,” “Upside Down,” and ending with his latest single “Dirty Blonde.” By the end of the set Gunnar had the whole crowd wrapped around his finger, and we were disappointed to see his set had to end.

Up next was an artist that many people, along with myself, mainly discovered from TikTok. LØLØ had grown a fanbase posting videos and covers on the social media platform that helped her ultimately release her first full length album Falling For Robots and Wishing I Was One. We were all excited to see her live in front of us this night. LØLØ hit the stage with a gleaming smile and perky attitude that was infectious to watch. Fans couldn’t help but bounce and sing along with every song. During “debbie downer” LØLØ threw cheerleader pompom’s out into the crowd so that we could all get more into the chorus cheering with her on stage. Most of the set was more upbeat cheerful songs, but LØLØ knows how to slow the beat down to really let us travel through the sorrow she went through when she wrote some of her more intimate songs. Whether we were cheering or tearing up, we ate up every moment we got with songs like “junkie,” “kill the girl,” “wish I was a robot,” “2 of us,” “u turn me on (but u give me depression),” “faceplant,” “omg,” “I Love It,” and ending with “hot girls in hell.” LØLØ and her music left an impression on every person in the crowd. Both excitement from the performance, and maybe a bit of self contemplation. Regardless developed a new admiration for this artist.

For our headliner, Jxdn wanted to create a mood right off the bat. With the stage almost completely pitch black, he walked on stage illuminated solely by a lit cigarette. Jxdn softly wailed into the mic, creating a haunting atmosphere but drawing the crowd into the mystery of what is going on on stage before kicking the energy into high gear with the song “CANDLES.” He unleashed his emotions through his music, and with his stage presence he was almost stumbling across the stage. Never truly falling or losing control of himself, but instead letting the flow of the music control his bodies movements as he focused on the lyrics. This passionate of a performance fueled the energy of the crowd who hung on every word that left his mouth.

Jxdn even took a moment of the show to slow things down and play a short acoustic set for the songs “DRUGS,” “BACCARAT,” and “WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS.” During this softer moment, Jxdn gave a heartfelt speech about how rough coming into the music industry has been on him, and that this latest album was his way of coping with everything he went through. It helped remind us that these social media influencers who show us every aspect of their lives, still have a side that is hidden from the public, that hides the pain and suffering they still deal with. Though this moment did bring a bit of harsh realism to our night, Jxdn was ready to bring the energy back up and get people rocking out. The man flew through his set list which included songs like “STRAY,” “IT MUST SUCK TO KNOW YOU,” “DEAD OR ALIVE,” “SO WHAT!,” “WANNA BE,” “LIPS,” “HOW FAR,” “WET DREAMS (IT’S YOU),” “Miss You,” “Sad October,” “Just Let Go,” and ending with “ANGELS & DEMONS.”

This night at the Belasco was for the next generation of music stars to be. Gunnar, LØLØ, and Jxdn are paving a way for themselves, and the younger generation of music fans. If this show was any indication, all three of these artists have an even bigger career ahead of them. The fans showed up early and stayed until the very end. We gave these artists all the love we had, and they gave us a show that showed who they really are. These artists continue to show that pop punk and the newer generation of music is not dead. It’s still very alive, passionate, and there is a huge fan base that is yearning for more.

The Tower, debut album for Urban Heat, is a can’t miss for fans of dark goth woven with a mixture of punk, industrial and catchy synth.

Formed in 2019 by vocalist Jonathan Horstmann, who enlisted fellow Austin musicians Kevin Naquin and the prodigious sound designer Pixel Foley, the band gained national attention during the pandemic as people discovered new artists on TikTok. Amidst prominent basslines, distorted guitars, and spellbinding synth lines, Jonathan's vocals evoke the essence of Robert Smith or Ville Valo. The songs themselves echo the styles of The Cure and Depeche Mode, often infused with a harder edge and beats guaranteed to get crowds dancing.

While one would think that Horstmann grew up listening to a plethora of goth bands and synth masters of the 80s, he was quoted in an interview as saying that he actually didn’t listen to a lot of music growing up outside of old hymns. Instead of using a guitar to write however, he used a synthesizer. 

The Tower kicks off powerfully with "Take it to Your Grave," a perfect blend of hard-hitting guitars and melodic beats. The irresistibly catchy "You’ve Got the Edge" is a pop-infused tribute to staying true to oneself. "Savor Not the Thrill" begins with the nostalgic vibes of an '80s video game arcade before breaking into captivating synth beats, weaving an epic tale that feels like the perfect soundtrack to an '80s thriller movie. Another highlight is the irresistibly catchy "Seven Safe Places to Hide," followed by "Addicted to the Sounds," a sultry anthem destined to become a future goth club classic.

Don’t miss your chance to dive into Urban Heat's latest, The Tower.  It's a captivating album that is redefining the goth music scene and one you won't want to miss. I absolutely loved this and think you will too.  Listen now and join the movement!

Serj Tankian is back with another groundbreaking release! Get ready to be blown away by his latest video, "Justice Will Shine On." This isn't just another song; it's a deeply moving and powerful tribute that dives into the heart-wrenching history of the Armenian Genocide. Tankian masterfully weaves his personal heritage with a universal call for justice, making this a must-watch for every fan.

From the very first frame, Serj invites us into a deeply personal journey. He begins by asking his grandfather about his childhood before the genocide, instantly creating an emotional connection that will give you chills. The video’s stark and evocative visuals perfectly capture the mix of loss, frustration, and hope that define the song's message.

Musically, "Justice Will Shine On" is pure Serj Tankian magic. The intense melodies and gripping riffs pull you in, showcasing his unparalleled ability to blend different elements into a powerhouse of sound. With his band, the FCC (Flying Cunts of Chaos), backing him up, the song's complexity and emotional weight are elevated to new heights. Serj's impassioned vocals deliver every line with urgency and raw determination, especially when he belts out, "We are the children of all the survivors/Justice will shine on. We are the demons of all the deniers/Justice will shine on." These lyrics are a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of historical atrocities and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The video, directed by Ara Soudjian and Todd Harapiak, is simple yet visually stunning. The stark imagery and moments of visual chaos perfectly mirror the song’s themes of despair and resilience. This video doesn't just reflect on the historical suffering of the Armenian people; it connects those struggles to today's ongoing fights for recognition and justice. It’s a bold statement on the necessity of acknowledging history and coming to terms with truths that many conveniently hide away. 

"Justice Will Shine On" is more than just a song—it's a continuation of Tankian's lifelong commitment to social justice. This track feels incredibly personal and immediate, reminding us that the wounds of the past continue to influence the present. In a world where historical memory and accountability are still hotly debated, this song is a poignant reminder of why remembering and reckoning with the past is so crucial.

So, get ready to be moved, inspired, and reminded of the power of music to challenge, heal, and inspire. Serj Tankian’s "Justice Will Shine On" is a testament to the enduring fight for justice and truth. Don’t miss out on this powerful and emotional journey!

- Matthew Belter

How can you tell when you’ve discovered an up and coming band that will definitely have a future in the music industry. You walk into a small club on a Monday night, and you see fans going absolutely ballistic. This was the case when I went to check out LA natives One Outta Ten at the Moroccan Lounge. I didn’t know what to expect walking into the venue this night, but a horde of fans losing their absolute minds was not on my bingo card. You don’t see fans going this crazy for some arena rock bands on a Friday night, so I knew there was something special going on here.

As One Outta Ten made their way on stage, they were all wearing kitchen aprons. Looking like they were ready to earn their first Michelin Star. Talking with the band afterwards, this was their homage to the TV Show The Bear. Yes, Chef! Whether you spotted this reference or not (I clearly missed it), it added a really fun aesthetic to the bands performance before they even started playing any music. The fans that made it out on a Monday night to downtown LA were eager to rock out with One Outta Ten, as they crammed themselves as close to the front of the stage as they could. Kicking off their set with “What Would I Do Without You?” the crowd unleashed a mosh pit moments into the song. You could feel the energy of the band perk up as soon as they saw how into the music the crowd was. Adding more oomph behind each guitar strum, and letting the vocals turn into more of a scream than a sing. We were in for a good time.

Frontman Josh de Leon, strapped with his pink Fender telecaster, was serenading the crowd. Not just the woman, but also the men could be seen fighting to get to the front of the stage to sing with him. Fellow guitarist Tyler Lofftus shared vocal duties with de Leon. Though Lofftus seemed to send his guitar tone through a heavy reverb adding more of a surf vibe to the songs. Keyboardist JT Hamel was the man of many talents this night, as he swapped between his keys and a guitar throughout the night. Along with providing some enjoyable vocal duties. Bassist Mark Marquez was vibing in the corner of the stage, letting the groove of his bass be the foundation to each song. While drummer David de Leon was a technician. Armed with the most cunning grin on his face, he was floating around his kit with ease and precision. Whether it was slowing the beat down for a more melancholy tune, or pushing the beat and letting the crowd erupt to the songs. The band was in perfect form for songs like “Down & Out,” “What's New Scooby-Doo!" (a cover of the Scooby Doo Theme),” “Michael Cera,” “The Only Lovers Left Alive,” “Vegas,” “Red Wine Supernova,” (a cover of Artist Chappell Roan) and ending with their latest single “SCREAM!!!.”

With solid musicianship, a live show can be good. But what really made this show great was how One Outta Ten’s music affected the crowd. Not only were mosh pits spinning throughout the set, but a couple fans also stage dived, and were carried across the venue floating in the arms of others. Girlfriends were hoisted onto the shoulders of their boyfriends, even though we could all easily see the stage. Fans were melting at the foot of the stage with Beatlemania. This. This right here is how you know One Outta Ten will carry on doing bigger and better things. Because on one random Monday night in the middle of downtown LA, five guys from Glendale, CA were able to start a frenzy of fan excitement just by existing and playing some tunes. 

Hunnypot’s John Anderson has been advocating for The BellRays for decades. In honor of the new record release Heavy Steady Go! we are going to celebrate Lisa and Bob by sharing their words on the new album.

“Originating from Riverside, California, the BellRays have been mixing punk, rock and soul with the unique authenticity that has made them who they are in today. “We created a band and music based on what we love.” – explains Lisa Kekaula and Robert Vennum, the founding members of The BellRays. The tradition that the band continued over the last thirty years inspired them to infuse their influences. It’s in their DNA. The sound can be described by one simple formula: Emotion + energy = excitement. Their latest album, Heavy Steady Go! strictly follows this rule but also, provides new coloring and shades to the well-beloved formula. “We’ve heard ourselves described by some variation as ‘Tina Turner fronting AC/DC’ or ‘Motorhead meets Aretha Franklin’ which comes with an expectation to be that every time.” – explains Robert Vennum. “We are expected to be something that does not exist.”

According to Lisa Kekaula: “We stand apart and reactions like ‘not punk enough’, ‘not rock enough’, and ‘THAT’S not soul’ only fuel us more. We revel in our fearlessness to share what’s in our heads and hearts whether it’s understood or not. The most important thing is that we believe what we write and what we play. Our songwriting comes from a place that’s really deep and wide and in Heavy Steady Go! We realized that what we had created came from the impact point of this crater.”

This recording is split by two cities, two years, and two badass rhythm sections: Mark Cisneros (bass) and Ron Miller (drums) both from Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds in Tucson, AZ, and later the return of past drummer Craig Waters (Cody Chestnut, Andre Williams, the Countdowns) and newest arrival, Nico Miles on bass recording in Riverside, CA produced by Lisa and Robert. Heavy Steady Go! is described by the two as ‘a festival in album form’. It’s contrasting style mashups and musical collaborations between each quartet is powerfully concentrated rock and roll.” Robert and Lisa explain that with these songs “we pay homage to Tom Petty, Bon Scott, Fleetwood Mac, Howlin’ Wolf, Cheap Trick, Betty Davis, and dozens of others that inspired this album. We wrote and crafted these songs looking at ourselves through the lens of the iconic sounds we heard growing up

Coming out August 30, 2024, ‘Heavy Steady Go!” will be released ahead of the upcoming U.S. and Canadian tour-dates with Social Distortion. 

Credits: The BellRays

Hunnypot is proud to be The BellRays official sync representative Masters & Publishing, ask us about LICENSING! 

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What’s it like to be an opening band? What’s it like to have to win over an audience every time you play? Do you play it like it was your last gig ever? Do you put every ounce of energy and talent into the 30 plus minutes you have on stage? What’s it like to be PowerTribe?

PowerTribe recently hit the Whisky-A-Go-Go stage opening for Steelheart and the audience could immediately tell that these three people were far beyond mere garage band openers. With musicianship that is off the charts, a sound that is all their own, and a level of performance that is captivating, PowerTribe won the audience over song by song.

PowerTribe is a power trio. A female-fronted power trio. Missy Percifield is the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and bass player, wielding a gigantic bass that almost seems too large for her 4’10’’ frame. Until you see her play. Until you hear her sing. With every note, Missy seems to grow in stature on stage until you realize just how gigantic her talents are.

On guitar is Darren Stroud. A true master of the fretboard, he has jammed with the likes of Steve Vai and is also an ESP endorsed guitarist. The man has chops having been nominated for Top 5 guitarist in Guitar World in 2020. Darren puts out a lot of sound in the smoothest way possible. Every once in a while, you can see Darren grin like he’s thinking, “This is so much fun!” PowerTribe plays all originals, and a good amount of instrumentals, and all are memorable due in no small part to Darren’s incredible guitar playing and tone. He also has a solo cd titled, Space Hombre: Tales of an Intergalactic Guitarslinger. And if you need to brighten up your Fridays, check out his lunch break jams on Facebook.

­­Rounding out the trio is drummer John Chominsky. Combining groove and power (there’s that word), John propels the band forward, while also being in lockstep with his band mates. PowerTribe plays well thought-out songs and epic instrumentals with a tightness that belies the fact that they seldom get a chance to play together. Chominsky lives in southern California, while married couple Percifield and Stroud live in Colorado Springs. Maybe that’s why when they do play live, there is an energy and a joy that comes bursting through.

But that doesn’t mean the energy isn’t there to be heard in their recordings. PowerTribe’s newest release, Up With The Sword has just come out. This is big, bold music. Soaring guitars, dynamic vocals, and thunderous drums with thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics to match. PowerTribe played three of the album’s cuts at the Whisky, the title track along with “Apocalypse in Progress,” and the rocking instrumental that closed their Whisky set and ends the album, “Sweepercise.”

PowerTribe’s new video for “Liars and Thieves” was just released. Check out the video below!