June 2013 | Music Junkie Press

Traedonya breathes fresh new life into music with her Funk Hipopera!

June 30, 2013

Let me introduce you to Traedonya. Traedonya was raised in New York City and she surrounded herself with all kinds of music from Hip Hop, Funk and Rock. She truly is a lover of a variety of music and with those influences has created her own unique sound. She has been dubbed the ‘The Bride of New Funk Hipopera” and she surely lives up to that title with her fusion of hip hop, jazz, and her vocal range. “Another Lie” was produced by Large Professor and has been described as an anthem song for females. The story of the song is something that I am sure lots of ladies have experienced. The song not only features Traedonya‘s lyrical acumen but the jazzy vibe and instrumentals will have you reminiscing of classic R&B/Jazz. It is refreshing to see a new generation add their own influences and create an entire new subgenre. That is what Traedonya has done and I look forward to hearing more. “Another Lie” is the first song of her new EP, “High Fructose [Read More]

Wine Country producing great heavy metal with Waxwyng

June 30, 2013

Just over an hour North of San Francisco, lies Santa Rosa. The rock and metal music scene has had a tough time for the past few years here. We lost our only Metal/Rock radio station, 101.7 the Fox a couple years back, a string of night club closures including the most recent of the Last Day Saloon. You might think that with all this happening, Metal and Hard Rock is scarce up here, but local Heavy Metal Band Waxwyng is making sure it is here to stay! Waxwyng are five guys who deliver some energetic progressive metal with influences from Classic Rock, Thrash, and much more. You have the powerhouse vocals of Matt Cruz, Edgard Duenes and Will Reyes shredding on guitars, Alex Wilson slamming on bass, and kicking ass on drums is Andreas Hernandez. Their influences have been listed as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Pantera, Metallica, Skid Row Periphery, Tool and the list can go on. You really can hear their influences in their music. They are not there to imitate, just to create. They [Read More]

The Doors Examined is a must read on the legendary band!

June 29, 2013

Summertime for me, is usually filled with long relaxing days, listening to music, sitting out on the patio in the evening and enjoying a really good book. Well this time I have a book that is perfect for you! Whether you are a long time or new Doors fan, music lover or not. The book is The Doors Examined by Jim Cherry. This book is perfect for all levels of Doors buffs or simply interested in a piece of rock and roll history. There are so many books out about the Doors but with this book, you get an honest, non biased in depth look at all aspects of Doors and the supporting characters who where witness to the events surrounding the Doors. In my early twenties, I actually worked on Oliver Stone’s controversial movie, The Doors as an extra for several of their concert scenes as well as the infamous Indian dance scene with Val Kilmer portraying Jim Morrison. I will have to try and dig up photos for you. Jim provides an easy to [Read More]

Brent Ashley returns to The Dreaming

June 28, 2013

Recently Los Angeles based rockers, The Dreaming announced that their bassist, Martin Kelly was leaving to pursue his career as a tattoo artist and to tour with his original band Living Dead Lights. Martin is an exceptional artist and I think he has a great career ahead of him with anything he does and we wish him well. Shortly after, The Dreaming announced the return of Brent Ashley. Brent who has been successful with his custom line clothing line, Arrogant Armor will return on bass. Brent posted the news on Facebook in a very funny post: We also got an update from Christopher as to what The Dreaming is working on and he had this to say, “I’m in the midst of recording the new album. We are putting together a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to do the album completely on our own without a label. Hopefully it will be done by the fall tour. It’s awesome to have Brent back. He was always the spark that kept the band alive and he [Read More]

Check out the new single by Sick Puppies, “There’s No Going Back”

June 28, 2013

I am so excited for the new album by Sick Puppies, “Connect”. I truly have loved these Australian rockers for many years and they never cease to amaze me. For them I have my new saying, ” I love you more than your last album but less than your next album”. I can’t imagine ever loving them any more than I do and then… BAM… their new music just has me loving them even more. Their new album “Connect” is set to release on July 16th and you can pre-order it right with special bundles off of their website here. The recently released their new single from the album, “There’s No Going Back” and it instantly became my favorite song. I just the chorus, the energy, the lyrics, everything!! As soon as I hear it come on the radio, I am cranking up the volume and me and my family are all singing along. From 6 year old Brandon who at first was singing, “Hair’s no Growing Back” (He sometimes really gets those lyrics messed [Read More]

Avenged Sevenfold announces new album “Hail to the King” and the controversy begins

June 28, 2013

Avenged Sevenfold recently announced the title and cover art for their next album. Titled “Hail the King” is set to release on August 27, 2013. I know a lot of people have been waiting for new music from Avenged Sevenfold and you don’t have much longer to wait. This album with the first to featuring drummer Arin Ilejay who replaced the late, great Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan died in 2009. Amidst all the excitement about the new album, there has been quite a bit of controversy around the cover art in addition to the rehashed discussion on A7X similar logo to one of my favorite bands, Overkill. You can check out the similarities below for the logo. Personally, I don’t think Overkill was the first to ever use bat wings along with a skull, that pretty much is just another image or icon from the metal or rock world and many bands use them. Now let’s bring up the cover art. The cover art has been compared to Lich King’s cover for “World Gone Dead”. [Read More]

Let’s all remember IZ and his gift of “Somewhere over the Rainbow”

June 26, 2013

Music has been such an important part of my life. It has kept my heart warm in cold times, kept me company when I felt alone, energized me when I needed a lift, healed my wounds when I was suffering. Music is part of me and I am grateful for all it has given me. Today again I was reminded of how music mysteriously is always there for me. I did an interview earlier with a great blues rock artist, Lisa Lim (complete Interview is here) and one of the questions is below: Music Junkie Press: If I could peak at your Ipod, what artist or song might I be most surprised at finding in there? Lisa Lim: Israel “Iz” Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Well, I truly was blown away. See, that song has such an incredible meaning for me and has always been held so close to my heart. Almost 11 years ago was the first time I ever heard that song. Sometimes with circumstances, you can actually remember the actual first time [Read More]