In loving memory of The Rev

(This is a pic of Jimmy and Steve M.)


(Jason Berry, Me, & Johnny Christ)


There is no band on this planet that I love more than Avenged Sevenfold and over the years I've taken a lot of heat for it from my friends. I was devastated yesterday to learn that Jimmy (James Owen Sullivan) who was the amazing drummer for A7X has gone on to the Afterlife. In some ways his band coincided with a turning point in my career path. I first heard of them when I was a hotel manager and they were on tour with Coheed and Cambria where they stayed at my hotel in 2005. Matt Berry (their merch guy and long time friend) had come up to the front desk and wanted to know where the nearest gym was and also the mall. When he came back from the mall he was with someone who is now one of my dear friends named Steve Murillo. I asked how the mall was and Steve came over and started talking to me about it. There was some lady who wanted to straighten their hair and then somehow we got into talking about music and the stuff I was into. From there he invited me to come to the show. I had never heard of Avenged Sevenfold, I had never been on a tour bus, never seen or been part of any of the behind the scenes stuff at a concert. So I went to the concert that was at Cobo and A7X blew the roof off the building. After the show I ended up hanging out with Steve, he went and got me a backstage pass so I could hang out while the roadies loaded out. When they finished we went onto the bus and this is where I met the Berry brothers, Bodie, Convict, Thor, and their tour manager who at the time was Ted. I didn't get to meet any of the guys from the band that night and I didn't know that I would ever see any of these guys again. For the next two years every time they were in town Steve would invite me to come to their shows and have backstage passes to hang out and I got to meet the guys. Now most of the road crew doesn't work with A7X any more except the Berry brothers but I know that they all loved Jimmy dearly. Steve was last on tour with Atreyu, and I saw Bodie and Ted this past year on tour with Chris Cornell, Thor was on the Warp Tour, and Convict is doing stuff in California at a sports venue. The Berry brothers are still with A7X and I want to say congratulations to Matt Berry on getting married. If you've ever been behind the scenes in the music industry and you love music as much as I do you can't go back. I never knew that I could love a band so much. I think one of the reasons that I fell so in love with their music and them is because I got to know them as people on top of the fact that they are all extremely talented. Right now it truly feels like I've lost a family member. I've worked as the marketing assistant for the Royal Oak Music Theatre and now I am a writer for Real Detroit Weekly and do marketing and PR for Dream Town Media which keeps me in the music world that I love. I'd like to think my experience with A7X led me to be where I am today. R.I.P. Jimmy we love you!

Interviews from the Roving Festival Writer w/ Peter, Bjorn & John, WIDESPREAD PANIC, The Macpodz

Video Credit: theRFW.com

For more great videos and interviews check out The RFW website these guys are great! http://www.therfw.com

30 Seconds to Mars - Tomo Milicevic

30 Seconds to Mars
Another Dimension with Tomo Milicevic
By: Natalie Sugarman

30 Seconds to Mars is an experience of music from another dimension. With lyrics that search for truth and insight into such a lost and broken world. They have created a community of music and visual art and invite all who want to join them in their shared vision.

I was really impressed when I read that when you decided that you wanted to play guitar that you and your father made one. Did you guys have any clue what you were doing when you set about to do this?

Not a clue whatsoever, we literally went to this woodworking store on Woodward Avenue. You know I'm from Detroit right? (Yep) I think it’s called Craftsman Workshop. I’m not even sure if it’s still there but they had a book on how to make an electric guitar. So we bought that and were like well I guess this is as good a starting place as any. Our big genius plan was to make a guitar so that we didn’t have to spend the money to buy one, thinking we were going to save money. Little did we know how foolish that was. We ended up spending so much money on tools and wood and mistakes that we could have bought five guitars that were better. I still have it! I actually played that guitar on a Beautiful Lie but I didn’t play it on this record cause there was just no place for it. But I had played it on a Beautiful Lie so I felt pretty happy about that.

You started playing with 30 Seconds to Mars in 2003. How did you meet Shannon? He’s the one that wanted you to audition correct?

He was just the first person that I met in the band. Shannon and Jared had a lot of mutual friends with my sister in LA. She moved out there a lot sooner than I did, basically I met Shannon when he was hanging at my sisters place and I came to LA. I had a band in Detroit at the time and I came to LA to do some business and see about getting some meetings and some connections and do a little networking. I met Shannon in the course of that and he told me about his band and this and that and I was such a cocky little prick at the time and I could of cared less. But then what happened was Shannon came and watched us play in LA once and he kind of took notice of me and asked me the next day how committed I was to my band. I was too naïve to realize that he was um… headhunting me for his band. So basically I kinda just kept in touch with him and what happened is that band that I was in ended up having the same management as 30 Seconds to Mars, so really that’s how I got in with the audition. Cause I had quit that band and when Solon left 30 Seconds to Mars their manager called me and was like hey I don’t know if you’re interested or not but 30 Seconds to Mars is about to have an audition. And I was like yeah oh yeah I’m definitely interested and you have to understand at this point I was an enormous fan of the band, I was like oh my god I was so foolish I can’t believe I had the opportunity that I didn’t take from the get go. So when that call came I was like where and when and Arthur Spivak said it’s tomorrow in LA. And I was like I guess I have to get on a plane and I pretty much bought a one way ticket and I brought my guitar and a backpack full of clothes and I said Sa La Vie Michigan I love you but I’m gone. The rest is pretty much history, I went to LA and I had no intention of one not getting the job and two ever coming back. This wass where I needed to be to do what I want to do. And here we are coming full circle talking to Real Detroit.

How would you describe the music of 30 Seconds to Mars? Who is 30 Seconds to Mars?

I mean to describe 30 Seconds to Mars you have to realize that it’s so much more than a band or just music. Music is just one part of what 30 Seconds to Mars is all about and it took me a long time to really get what Jared and Shannon were trying to do, obviously I wasn’t there for the beginning of the band or the creation of the idea of the band. So it took me a really long time to realize what they were trying to accomplish with this. And what it is, it’s a community. 30 Seconds to Mars is all about a shared experience and creating this world where we can all escape to for at least a short time. I really feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world because I love Jared’s songwriting and music and the vibe that he creates in the studio, it’s something that I could never have done on my own and it took me a long time to realize that. I feel really lucky that I got to be part of it, I feel really grateful. I probably would be in Michigan still, working at Guitar Center I’m 30 years old now and I would of just been bitter because I didn’t go for it. 30 Seconds to Mars is all about community and a shared experience and visual art, music, and just kind of sharing this ride with everyone that’s interested in participating.

For the music videos that you guys have made where do the ideas come from? Does the band have a creative say in the making of them?

I can say with full honesty that 99% of all creative things come from the band and from Jared, he’s the visionary, he’s the mastermind behind all of it. He writes the treatments for all the videos, he sources all the information, he finds the production companies, he directs the videos, he writes the songs, he produces the record, I mean we all produce the record of the band but its Jared at the forefront of that. You know he’s no joke, sometimes I wish people could just peer inside and see how much he does, you know cause he’s an easy target sometimes and it’s always based on a preconceived notion that they have no idea about. He’s the real deal as real of a deal as I’ve ever know anyone I’ve ever known.

That’s awesome to be part of that.

That’s what I keep saying; at least once a week I snap out of it and I’m like Jesus Christ man I could be doing nothing with my life. There was plenty of options for the brothers Leto to choose from as far as good guitar players out in LA and they gave me a shot because I kind of looked them in the eyes and said, “I’m gonna work harder than anyone else you’ll ever meet and I’m loyal and you guys can trust me.” And they did and I’m forever eternally grateful for it.

What’s the premise behind the name of the album ‘This Is War’?

When we started working on the album we talked about titles and stuff like that and this was really a title that was floating around for a while. And it’s funny because we kept trying to beat it and we were like we can’t name the record ‘This Is War’ its so obvious and as time went on the world fell apart literally. You live in Michigan I mean you know it Michigan got hid harder than most places anywhere and we were like wow this is crazy we were making an album while the world was falling apart. We got into a lawsuit with the record company; we were each individually going through our own personal bullshit. The main reason we kept the title is because we really think and feel that it describes the sound of the music and the sound of the record perfectly, it’s like a battle call the whole album. Ultimately it was the one phrase that encompassed everything that was going on around us at one time. So we really felt that in the end it was the right title.

The Fillmore 12/18 (This article was supposed to be in Real Detroit Weekly but my editor double booked the interview - I had to give it a home it's a great interview and Tomo was great!)

Designer Vivian George - Toast Skirts the hot winter must have!

TOAST SKIRTS –STAND UP AND CHEER!
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Stay warm as Toast in the coldest conditions. Toast skirts are the latest and undoubtedly one of the best inventions to beat the cold – it’s a winter skirt that works like snow pants but is more convenient and prettier to boot!

Toast skirts instantly turn your short jackets into long coats.

Drawing on her experience of coping with bitter cold during Canadian film shoots, Vivian George designed Toast skirts to keep warm. Since then Toast skirts have graced the hips of many film/tv cast and crew including Jennifer Stone (and her mom) on the set of Disney’s Harriett the Spy.

Toast skirts are perfect for tailgate parties and cheering on your favorite team in warmth and comfort. Waterproof, windproof, cushy snug and flattering, Toast skirts will make you stand up and cheer for freedom from the clutter of carrying seat cushions and blankets to the game.

Hockey Moms, School Crossing Guards, Fashionistas and anyone who walks a dog rave about popping Toast on (even sometimes over pajamas!) for convenient warmth against the elements.

“TOASTY INVENTION SNAPS ON TO SKIRT THE COLD”
The Globe and Mail
“SEX IN THE SNOW SKIRT”
MacLean’s Magazine
“THE MILLION DOLLAR IDEA”
Global Evening News

For more info visit http://www.toastskirts.com

For further media information and all interviews, please contact:
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Tuesday with Every Avenue

I just received Alternative Press Magazine this morning and who is on the cover? My Chemical Romance!!! They're coming out with a new album! I can't tell you how excited I am for this, does this mean they'll be touring soon?? These guys are one of my favorites, can't wait to see what they've come up with after their last album, "The Black Parade." Also as I was flipping through the pages of AP I saw an advertisement for Every Avenue and then an article on them. These guys are from Michigan and I remember them from a few years back, they've definitely come a long way! Their new album "Picture Perfect," is available on Itunes.

On a sleepy Thanksgiving Afternoon

After a late night of music, friends, and drinks I'm looking out the window at the dismal day and wondering when outside will look happy again. Last night I went to the Ty Stone Thanksgiving Rockin Eve for the debut of Ty's new band. I had a great time; the music was fantastic. Right now I'm getting ready to head over to the family's for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm thinking after dinner I'm going to stay in because Friday night I'll be going to see Rob Zombie and Saturday will be the Sam Roberts Band. Also if you haven't checked out my interview with Rob Zombie here's the link: http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_5912.shtml
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Whirlwind Weekend

What a weekend! Between "Fine Art Meets Rock n' Soul" at Next Step Studios in Ferndale to the Detroit Urban Craft fair at the Majestic; the creativity was definitely inspiring. I also had my first eating experience at Mudgie's Deli which is a hidden gem in Detroit. Check out their menu; yum! I had a cranberry green iced tea and the Hippie Dippie Sh*t Man - avocado, baby spinach, alfalfa sprouts, walnuts, dried cranberries, diced apples, shredded carrots and cucumber with raspberry vinaigrette rolled in lawash bread. I had a very tasty, auditory, and visual weekend!

Check out Real Detroit Weekly - Widespread Panic

Life on the road with Guitarist Jimmy Herring from Widespread Panic Real Detroit Weekly - Widespread Panic 

Music, writing, and what drives me

Some of my favorite things in the world are music, writing, and reading. I don't think that makes me a nerd. I have somehow stumbled into a work world where I'm the marketing assistant for the Royal Oak Music Theatre, I write for Real Detroit Weekly, and I'm on the ground floor for a start-up company called Dream Town Media. Most recently I've interviewed Five Finger Death Punch's bassist Matt Snell, The Ultimate Donny from Gil Manteras Party Dream, and got to write the cover story of Ty Stone's search for the truth. It's pretty amazing to be able to do something that you love. I feel truly blessed.

Upcoming Interview with Rob Zombie

I'm sitting at my computer perusing the internet and sipping some green tea. In about two hours I will be on the phone interviewing musician and horror mastermind Rob Zombie. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would somehow stumble into the career path that I have. Writing has been a passion of mine for a long time and to actually be working for a publication is inspiring (thank you Real Detroit Weekly). I must add I'm a bit nervous but super excited about the Rob Zombie interview. I've been a fan since the early 90s. I'll be heading out to see him at the Fillmore in Detroit when he's here on 11/27.

Sleep to Dream, Coctails, & Skinny Puppy

I wish I could sleep like I did when I was younger. Nothing would wake me up, now everything wakes me up. I have an interesting day ahead of me tomorrow; it entails a writing assignment that involves me going to a bar and trying six of their signature cocktails. This is happening at 2pm, gotta love drinking in the afternoon, woo! Then later in the evening I will be heading over the the Royal Oak Music Theatre for Skinny Puppy. That's right ladies and gentlemen get ready for some electro-industrial sound waves.

Interview with Jimmy Herring from Widespread Panic

I just interviewed the guitar player; Jimmy Herring from Widespread Panic and my article had a limit of 600 words so I thought I would share the other questions which won't be included in the Real Detroit Weekly interview that I did.

Out of all the festivals that you’ve played, what has been some of your favorites and what was it about them that stood out in your mind?

It’s hard to say, every gig is a gift to get a chance to play music. I guess there are some I like better than others, personally I like indoor shows better because they seem a little more focused. But festivals there’s so many good ones I couldn’t say cause I’m sure I’d be forgetting one. You know Bonaroo is always cool, it’s huge and it’s close to home, those two things make it kind of cool. The one we did in Michigan, it was a big deal I’m forgetting the name you’d probably know it if I said it.

Rothbury?
Yeah, that was the one!

What are you currently listening to?

The last thing that I listened to was Nirvana and that’s strange for me because I’m into blues and jazz. And it’s mostly old dead guys that I listen to and it’s a great place to get inspiration. We learned a Nirvana song for Halloween and I was so impressed with the guy’s method of song writing. My daughter used to listen to Nirvana and she would tell me you really need to check out Nirvana they have great songs and they’re really good. And I really didn’t get it, and she got me listening to a few of their tunes and I never learned any of them and I was like God that is a good tune. Kurt Cobain was a brilliant writer. And we learned that one tune and I’m trying to get the band to learn two more. That was a special Halloween thing we probably won’t do it again, maybe next Halloween. Also been listening to The Who a lot, been listening to Quadrophenia a lot, it’s a part of my past and I used to listen to it all the time while I was growing up but I never actually learned any of it. So I started to get fascinated with Pete Townsend again and broke out Quadrophenia and after shows have been starting to learn patches of the record, it’s incredible the chord structures that Pete puts together.

Bixy Lutz - Delta Blues, Country Groove, Rock n' Soul

Photo By: Bret Carson

On Tuesday night I headed out to Club Bart in Ferndale, MI. I wanted to check out this band I'd been hearing about called Bixy Lutz. They did not disappoint, their style of music has got a delta blues, country groove, rock n' roll feel. The three piece band is fronted by Greg Hanson who sings lead vocals and plays guitar, LX is on bass and vocals, and Don rocks out on the drums. They have the look of a 70s style rock band that you can't help being attracted to. They will be joining Brandon Calhoon to play at Ty Stone's Thanksgiving Rockin' Eve at St. Andrews Hall on Wednesday November 25th at 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at http://www.insideoutlaws.com/thanksgiving-rockin-eve

"Fine Art Meets Rock n' Soul"

“Fine Art Meets Rock n’ Soul”

Music and Art Intertwine at Next Step Studios in Ferndale

Thursday November 19th

Ferndale MI – Dream Town Media presents: The 7 Million Jigawatts CD release party wsg/ Marcus Worx at Next Step Studios in Ferndale Michigan. Also to be featured will be Ann Arbor artist Graceann Warn and talented resident artist Kaiser Suidan who is the owner of Next Step Studios.

Get your music and art fix all at once. The 7 Million Jigawatts CD release party is sure to be a treat for your musical and art senses. Coming off their recently successful Pinktober National Kick Off party for the Hard Rock Café, the band is proud to introduce their new CD ‘Taking Flight.’ This new album features the single, “(I’ve Got You) Covered” from the 2010 Mustang advertising campaign. This new album of originals offers up an enticing mix of rock and soul that tantalizes you auditory senses. For visual stimulation look no further than your surroundings. Inside the Next Step Art studio there’s a wonderland of art from a number of talented artists. This event will be catered by Little Tree and sponsored by Detroit’s own Valentine Vodka and B. Nektar Meadery. Next Step Studios is located in fabulous Ferndale and is a hidden gem that is filled with amazing art.

For more info on 7 Million Jigawatts go to http://www.7millionjigawatts.com

Opening the evening will be Marcus Worx: local artist and musician. Most recently he has had his art featured in the Erotica Ball, the Marquis de Sade Ball, and had a music and gallery showing at the Future II Gallery. He will also be doing a live painting while the 7 Million Jigawatts perform.

For more info on Marcus Worx visit http://www.myspace.com/marcusworx

Come be part of this unique evening that will stimulate your senses. The event begins at 7:30 pm and your $10 donation at the door or online will get you the 7 Million Jigawatts new release ‘Taking Flight.’ Next Step Studio is located at 530 Hilton between 8 and 9 mile on the east side of Hilton. Tickets will be available at the door of Next Step Studios or online at http://www.showclix.com/event/6705 for $10.

The Accidental Mummies

Last night I went to the Black Lotus Brewery in Clawson, MI. They were having a viewing of the upcoming PBS special called "The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato." The brewery was a buzz with a great community of people who came out for the event: musicians, photographers, writers, etc... The most exciting part is that the soundtrack for the show is produced by Detroit's own very talented musician Sean Blackman. Also a good friend of mine; Dan Hadad plays flute on the soundtrack. All in all the evening seemed to be a great success! I also have to add that the beer selection at the brewery is also fantastic; from the seasonal Monstermash pumpkin flavored beer to the Apricot wheat.

Sneak Preview of the Ded Dave Show

Last night my travels took me to the Belmont bar in Hamtrmck, Michigan. The event that evening was the Zombie Showdown and Swap Meat. No, I did not spell meat incorrectly. There were three bands; Subourban Son, Graveside Manner, and the Casket Bastards, plus a rock n' rummage sale going on. The highlight of the evening was to be the sneak preview of the Ded Dave show, it is a Michigan filmed show that will be airing on CW 50 on Devil's Night at 3am. It's a skit/comedy show about what Zombies do when they're not eating you. It's absolutely hilarious! Take humor, add a zombie, and a drunken plant creature named Bog and you have a combination that equals awesome! Bog made a special appearance at the Belmont for the sneak preview and I must say that he is a bit of an attention whore! There was also a couple of zombies in attendance as well (no relation to Ded Dave). All in all it was definitely an interesting evening, I had a blast!

Struggling and Living the Dream

There are so many people out there that are working jobs that they hate and the years go by, you might say that life passes by. All of this is in pursuit of money, to have all these material belongings, keeping up with the Jones or this day and age it would be the Kardashians. All I know is that when I was part of corporate America I was miserable, my job would follow me home on the weekends and all times and hours of the day and night. Currently I am struggling to get by, I'm able to pay my bills and have enough to survive. However, I am living the dream and I'm happier than I've ever been. I was working as the marketing assistant for a music venue but due to our economy I was cut down to working one day a week and I bartend there for events as well. In the past two months I have become part of a start up company called Dream Town Media (www.dreamtownmedia.com) and we may not be making much money now, but our future looks bright and sunny. Also after a month or so of being ran around I have started writing for a publication called Real Detroit Magazine. I've been writing since I was 9 years old and am so excited to be part of Real Detroit! Did I go to school for marketing or journalism? No, I have a degree in Hotel Management. I'm sure you've all heard that it really is all about who you know. I may be struggling now, but I'm struggling towards a big bright future and I have a lot of wonderful people in my life. They make me smile and realize how lucky I am.

A sense of belonging

Where is home? Is it a place? Is it another person? Where do we truly feel that we belong? Sometimes I think about the nights when I'm surrounded by people and yet I'm all alone. These people we call friends, are they really? Filling our days with intoxication and empty conversation. A community of lack of thought. I want to be inspired, I want an adventure, I want to experience life in raw form, and some of these things I've found on occasion. There are those who do inspire me and that makes me realize that these people who have the passion to inspire me, they are where I want to belong.

Music feeds my soul and takes me to a different plane of existence, the beautiful moments that we find in a song that take us to a different place and time never ceases to amaze me.

Look into the future

Recently it seems like those around me are all holding onto the past. They are having trouble focusing on the future and the possibilities in the future. Whether it's the men in their lives, the women in their lives, losing their job but not putting forth the effort to find something new and moping in self-pity. The state of our economy is not helping matters either. Yes it is depressing, but their are still positive things out there. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Grab the reins, go out and do something! You can find a new job, you can find a great significant other, these things are out there and they're waiting for you to go out and find them! They will not come to you, realize this and do something about it.

Fading Seasons

My favorite season is slipping through our fingers as we speak. Fall is seeping into the air and invading our senses. Leaves drift to the ground preparing for a long winter's nap, the chill in the air has that hint of fall scent. Visions of brilliant colored trees flash through my mind, the crunch of leaves under feet, the taste of cider, jack-o-lanterns, and costume parties. Summer isn't quite gone and yet I miss it all ready...

The Magic Fades

Do you remember when you were younger and how some places in your mind were just absolutely magical? Those same places today just don't seem to have the same glimmer they used to? When I was a kid one of those places for me was Cedar Point. I would get so excited the night before the trip that I wouldn't be able to sleep. When was the last time you got so excited about something on that level? I can't even remember. I was excited for Rothbury this year but not the same excitement from when I was young. Why do we lose the wonder? Why does the excitement fade? What the hell happens to us that we lose the magical place that world used to seem to be?

The Art of Happiness

What does it mean to be truly happy? I have found that in life happiness comes from a state of being content with what you have. It also stems from the people who are in your life, should you choose to surround yourself with good-hearted ones. When we are able to strip away the stress of everyday life and not dwell on that which we do not have, we are able to see all that we do have and can appreciate it and be grateful. I think that is the first steps to being happy. Everyone experiences flashes of happiness, but is it constant? No it's not, it seems like this world is becoming more sad, depressed, and unhappy by the second. All these material things that people lust after because they think that once they acquire them they will be happy. How quickly that happiness fades once the object is acquired and then on to the next thing. It becomes a never-ending cycle of fading glory. Never being able to truly look at what you do have and be happy with that.

To be? Or not to be?

Thoughts on being rich or poor. Would I rather be rich or poor? Well since I have never been rich I don't have the disposition of knowing what it's like. However I've seen what being rich can do to people and the monsters that they can turn into. They become hungry for more money and power and it becomes a never-ending and un-fulfilling quest. I don't want to be poor, but I would like to be financially comfortable where money is not the cause of stress. I don't find contentedness in monetary and material things. I find it in people, music, writing, reading, nature, and love. Money will never answer all of the world's problems. It is more of a cause for problems than an answer. Although I also can't say that money does not solve some problems. It can definitely help if you put the right forces behind it, people who choose to do good with what they have, those who are selfless enough to give. But it seems like most often humans and their nature take a turn towards the dark side... Ah yes lovely and depressing!

Wouldn't you like to be one of the Beautiful?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... Although it seems that these days that beauty and youth have become an obsession. What is this need to develop the outer beauty as opposed to the inner, shouldn't both be developed equal? It seems like people get so caught up in what other people think of them and become obsessed with portraying some beautiful thing that they lose sight of inner character as well. I want both in my life! But here's the thing, you can be beautiful with an ugly personality and it makes you ugly. Or you can be average with a beautiful persona and it makes you beautiful. So is the outer beauty worth all it's cracked up to be? Plastic people haunt our every day and the world seems less and less intelligent, it scares me...