Nov 02 Threedom Rock Shakespear's Pub & Grille Las Vegas, NV
Nov 06 Brazen Vamp'd Las Vegas, NV
Nov 08 the Solid Sons Backstage Bar & Billiards Las Vegas, NV
Nov 09 Daze Gone By Bounty Hunter Henderson, NV
Nov 10 Daze Gone By Cheyenne Saloon
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Nov 12 IDFI
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Nov 12 ROXX Freemont - 3rd ST Stage Las Vegas, NV
Nov 13 Sicocis
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Nov 13 Vile Child Cheyenne Saloon Las Vegas, NV
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Nov 16 Daze Gone By Firehouse Tavern St George, UT
Nov 16 GRIND
Nov 17 the Bones
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Nov 21 Brazen the Turning Stone Casino Verona, NY
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Nov 22 Outta the Black the Dive Bar Las Vegas, NV
Nov 22 the Solid Sons Wicked Vicky Tavern (Riviera) Las Vegas, NV
Nov 22 Threedom Rock Fiesta Henderson Henderson, NV
Nov 22 TOD
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Nov 23 Brazen the Turning Stone Casino Verona, NY
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Nov 24 Daze Gone By Cheyenne Saloon
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Guided by a mother’s soothing voice, Franky Perez broke away from a tough upbringing to soar in the music world, starting at a young age in the clubs of Vegas. After two successful albums, Franky did the unthinkable and stepped away from the world of music to heal, to purge the demons that had taken hold.
Now, he’s back, better than ever, participating in a number of music projects with the biggest in the industry; Franky Perez is back on top, and take a few minutes to chat with CVSW about his journey.
<CV SW> Let’s talk about the road to becoming…Franky Perez the musician…growing up, did you always want to play music? Talk about your mother’s influence on your interest in getting into the music field.
<Franky Perez> My mother, as well as being a poet, sang a style of music called “Punto Guajiro” which was in my opinion Cuba's equivalent to American blues. Its poor people’s music, full of pain longing and sexual connotations. I remember sitting next to my mom at parties accompanying her and two (tres) guitarists on spoons and watching the entire room so overcome by her words and voice that even the men would cry. I knew early on that words, melody, and vocal delivery could be a lethal combo and spent the next 30 years cooking withthatrecipe.
<CV SW> Did anything else catch your fancy while growing up?
<FP> I played sports but never had a passion for them; on the other hand I was hooked on musicfrommyfirststrum.
<CV SW> Tell us about that moment when you said “yeah, I wanna rock, I wanna be up on stage”, was there a moment of truth for you or was it just always what you expected or wanted to do?
<FP>Thereweretwo:
1st was...watching MJ take a stage ALONE at the Apollo theatre on TV and single handedly mesmerizing the entire world. No matter what style of music you were into at the time you knew you were watching greatness.
2nd was...standing sixth row at SamBoydStadiumwatchingPaul
McCartneyand Wingsin the early90's;thereweresomanylightersintheairforLiveAndLetDie that the sky was glowing; everyone knew every word to every song and was singing them as one. I get the chills just thinking about it. Those two moments sealed my fate - I knew then I would be an entertainer and woulddieone.
<CV SW> Who are your musical influences (or influences in general)?
<FP> I LOVE the blues and soul music and they both influence the way I sing and write, but mostly I'm influenced by life, love, and struggle. I find beauty and inspiration in all things flawed.
<CV SW> Already a veteran of the Vegas music scene as a teenager,
you were performing at venues that you weren’t even old enough to enter – that seems off kilter a bit, how did that feel?
<FP> I had a pretty tough home life as a kid, things were volatile tosaytheleast.Isawandexperienced things at an early age that most people won’t experience as adults,sosteppingontoasaloon stage at 17 wasn't any different from supper at my house on a Tuesday.
<CV SW> When you write a song, where do you get ideas for the lyrics? What inspires you?
<FP> My life or the life of those closest to me. The more honest I am the more people relate. I'm no different from any other workingclassman.
<CV SW> 2003, you SELF produced your debut album, “Poor Man’s Son” – that title seems a reference to your roots as the son of immigrants, is that correct, or just a coincidence?
<FP>You'respotonyourassessment:)
<CV SW> The album is a wild success, VH1 picks up the video for “Something Crazy”, and the album is listed on CMT’s top 20 gems for the year – we all WANT to be successful right out of the gate, but wow, were you expecting THAT much accolades?
<FP> I was in the studio making that record for over a year; back then I was young and fearless. Thatalbumwasanhomagetoall of my heroes and influences at the time. I listen back now and the youthfulness of it makes me smile.
As far as the accolades...nothing beatsagreatpublicist!:)
<CV SW> Your sophomore effort, “My 4th of July” comes out in 2005 – another album where you pretty much do it all soup to nuts… and to more critical acclaim and success – was there any real pressure to follow your debut with something bigger & better?
<FP> No I purposely went the other way. I called that record "My 4th of July" because it was my personal independence day. I'd just left Atlantic and fired my manager and was hell bent on making music on my own terms.
<CV SW> Again, you made a conscious choice to write, play all instruments, and record the album by yourself in your home studio –why the solitude? Tell us about
an artistic connection but my best work comes from an introspective place. Isolation is terribleforrelationshipsbutamazing forcreativity.
<CV SW> At this point, though, you strayed from the straight and narrow – your bio says that during the tour for that album, you developed “habits”…is that something you’d like to discuss?
<FP> I've struggled with substanceabuseforyears.I'mhappy to say that I recently sought out treatment and have been enjoying a nice stretch of sobriety. I created some great music in my active addiction but the pain I suffered and visited upon those who had to stand by and watch me slowly kill myself is something I never want to revisit. If mymusicsuffers...sobeit.Iwant
the decision to do it alone – personal, professional, or just the hubris of youth.
<FP> I like the spontaneity of a good collaboration when there's
to live. Thankfully I’ve found my stride in sobriety. Those that know both Jekyll & Hyde have toldmeIsoundbetterthanever! Whoknew!?
<CV SW> It takes a brave, and confident, man to step away from the limelight, from the music and riches, to “fix” himself – talk about the decision to take time off from music during 2007. What did you feel needed to be fixed? What did you do during that time to right the ship?
<FP> I stepped away for a year andworkedonme.Igotinshape physically and mentally and planned my next move. That period of self-realization and improvement resulted in 6 years of Sobriety,Scars,VR,CampFreddy, andTheTruth.Afteradangerous relapse a couple of years agoI'm again sober 7 months and in the middle of a complete life and career rebuild. Things are really looking up. I removed the negative people and influence from my life and I’m only putting out andlettinginthepositive.
<CV SW> You return to the music scene as a guitarist with Scars on Broadway…how did that partnership come about, and how was the experience for you in terms of “getting back on that horse”? Was it like easing back into that old sweater?
<FP> I've know the men in System since ‘94 when we were all independent bands trudging the clubs in OC and Hollywood. I remained close to their Manager Benothroughtheyearsandhe& I swore to work together again. One day while I was working in NewJerseyIgotthecall.Iflewto L.A. for an audition and never left.TothisdayJohnDolmayanis one of my best friends. I cherish my time in that band. I learned a lot from Daren as a song writer
and a guitar player and hope to somedaysharethestagewiththe originalScarslineup.
<CV SW> Then BAM, after Scars had to cancel their tour, you end up with, of all people, the legend Slash – talk about the process of getting together with him…what does playing with a talent like Slash teach you? Did you feel any pressure to perform at a level because it was, well, Slash?
<FP> I actually had known Slash in passingfor years but we were formallyintroducedwhenIauditioned for Velvet Revolver. I actually got that gig and began working on material for a new record when suddenly Slash decided he wanted to pursue his own thing. VR going away was a bummerbutlookingbackitsone ofthebestthingsthatneverhappened. As a direct result of it I was able to make some beautiful working, but more importantly, personal relationships. That opportunity led to Slash gigs, my relationship with Kush, Sorum is a close friend and he & I have worked together a lot, I've done countless gigs with Duff, and then there's Camp Freddy. Billy Morrisonandtheboyshavekept me working for years now, allowing me to share the stage with artists like Steven Tyler, Dave Navarro, Steve Vai, Jason Bonham, OZZY, Lemmy, Juliette Lewis, Chrissie Hynde, and ZZ Top. It's been an amazing run and as I write this I am humbled and grateful for such a colorful careerthusfar.
<CV SW> Talk about the budding partnership with Dave Kushner (of Velvet Revolver); you started
releasing tracks online, for free, talk about that decision – why did you determine that was the way to go?
<FP> We loved the songs and just wanted to get them out. Thank god we did...Meatloaf heardoneofthem(PartyOfOne) and recorded it for his album HellInAHandBasket.
<CV SW> How does it feel to have Meatloaf contact you and ask permission to take over one of your tracks, “Party of One”?
<FP> The guy was responsible for one of the biggest albums of alltimeandthefactthathe'sstill out there plugging away after all of the years with the same vigor is commendable and something to be revered. I was honored whenhechoseoursong.
<CV SW> After that, it becomes a whirlwind of work, progress, and accolades, not to mention opportunities to play with some of the heaviest hitters in music…
<FP> I've had a blessed career and have paid and continue to pay some serious dues for it.
<CV SW> The cover of “Slip Kid” with Anvil, allowed you to be featured on the show soundtrack of “Sons of Anarchy” – how did that happen? Honestly, how the heck COOL is that? And you still perform with “the Forest Rangers” today, yes?
<FP> The SOA relationship came through Kush, who co-wrote the theme song and suggested me to Bob Thiele the shows music supervisor and composer. That relationship continues to this day. I've had the honor of contrib-
uting music to every season of S.O.A. except the first. And yes I'mproudtosayI'mamemberof Katey Sagal & The Forrest Rangers.
<CV SW> Tell us about the Ducati All-Stars [Billy Morrison (The Cult), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Chris Wyse (The Cult), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Donovan Leitch (Camp Freddy) and Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray)] and your “small” west coast tour, playing small, low-key shows in intimate places.
<FP> We love and ride Ducati's and Ducati loves us so there you haveit...itwasmeanttobe!
<CV SW> Then in 2012, it’s “Pusher Jones” with Dave Kushner/Velvet Revolver, Scott Shriner/Weezer, Joey Castillo/ Queens Of The Stone Age, and Dave Warren/The Simpsons; and from that EP, “Count Me Out” is featured on the soundtrack for “the Avengers”!
<FP>Greatfortheresume:)
<CV SW> You also took a left hand turn from MAKING music and became a music MENTOR to Jackson Guthy, a talented 15-year old singer – tell us what advice you give him about career, music, performing, and what personal experiences you can draw upon to ensure he’s in music for the long haul.
<FP> I was "Joe Jackson" tough onthatkid(minustheabuse):)I was given a short window of time to make him performance ready so it took some long and intense writing sessions and rehearsals. Our work together resulted in his deal with Universal
and his first appearance on Ellen. My mantra with him was to becompletelyhonestinhiswriting and performance anything lesswould be seen right through and his career would be short lived.
<CV SW> And as if that’s not enough, you were bestowed the honor of being the vocalist for The Doors at the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, California. <FP>DREAMCOMETRUE.
<CV SW> And now, you have “Franky Perez & the Truth” added to the mix…with all your accomplishments, it’s easy to see how you can keep motivated, but in the end, how do you keep it all straight? LOL
<FP> Out with bad ego driven management and in with a solid team of people I would leave my kidswith.
<CV SW> Now, in 2013, you’ve finished your latest album, ADDICT; it’s a “story of love, loss, and vices” in your time, do you hope to exorcise demons with this album, is it sort of a soul catharsis? Again, when do you find the time? <FP> I make time. The demons areatbay.
<CV SW> Tell us about one of your most memorable shows.
<FP> Slash and friends Quart FestivalNorwayandLastnightat GVR with The Truth. Both shows filledmyheart.
<CV SW> Talk about social media – how critical do you think it is today as a marketing tool? Or do you think it is a “necessary evil”? <FP>Idon’tlikeitbutIneeditto reachthepeoplethatmatterand toexposetheonesthatdon’t.
<CV SW> Have you ever stood on stage and said to yourself “yeah, I’ve made it”, do you have that feeling yet?
<FP> Never, and I hope I never do.EGOkilledtheradiostar.
<CV SW> What do you hope to accomplish with your music, how do you want people to react to your music?
<FP> I want to say the things people feel but can’t express for themselves.
<CV SW> What are the big plans for the rest of 2013 and beyond for Franky Perez?
<FP> Stay sober, love more, let love in, and write and perform somesongsinbetween.
Turn on the stage lights, fire up the smoke machines, and open the drapes because the stage at Vamp’d is always ready to rock! The Sin and Sacrifice Tour came to Las Vegas with a lineup of three phenomenal bands; Halcyon Way, Fozzy and Saxon. What I witnessed was nothing short of massive metal explosion! In other words…EPIC. Starting off the night…a unique ensemble from Atlanta GA, Halcyon Way. This thrashy, melodic, progressive metal, double bass kickin’, guitar shredding, band presented a fantastic show. I can confidently say it was the perfect way to start off the night. They sing songs of war, hate, faith, politics and revolution. The percussion is tight. The vocals join together with high screams and low deep growls. Personally my kind of music for sure!! With a name like Halcyon Way, one would think this is a peaceful, tranquil band. Actually, the sound is quite the opposite. More like….pumped up, smashing the stage with a metallic explosion and high energy! Personally, I would love to see this band play again. The next band to dominate the stage, flawlessly satisfying our metal fetish, was Fozzy! Myself, the crowd and CV Southwest Magazine had been anxiously waiting for this moment. For weeks before the show the excited whispers of fellow musicians, photographers and friends raved about Fozzy coming to Las Vegas and I just could not wait to see them live! As a proud metal head myself,
I hold this genre of music close to my heart. I was just astounded with their energetic floor stomping and heart pounding killer stage presence. I watched in awe as the photographers rushed like a rumbling ocean wave to the front of the stage with cameras in the air bearing the biggest smiles on their faces. Fists and horns hailed as Fozzy romanced our senses and pierced our ears with their metal glory. Front man Chris Jericho came out onstage shades on, black and studded leather jacket, possessing his signature fierce roar, a voice most mighty and definite in his mind and one with the crowd. Music lovers know interaction and super energy is imperative when it comes to wowing the masses and that’s precisely what Fozzy masters. Sharp as a razor and music like candy, I can honestly say my words barely hold a candle to these fellas and their supreme talent. The particular art and flavor they proudly served is a show you must to see for yourselves to receive a true feel of their metal magic. As they graced the stage with their instruments and smiles the energy all around me was totally focused on the band. Fozzy fans fixate and scream along with their music with songs like “She’s my Addiction”, “God Pounds His Nails” “Blood Happens”, “Sin and Bones”…. well you get the idea! Fozzy took the stage with their sexy power and delivered an outstanding, heart stopping performance! With their power and music, you have to love their songs and their unforgettable thunder. Not only is this band stupendous, the fans are also monumental because all together as one this kind of passion of treasured and epic metal glory are truly what keeps metal alive, forever feeding the hearts and souls of millions everywhere always. CV Southwest Magazine and it’s team are proud and pleased to have Fozzy and their record label Century Media working with us on this journey, allowing us to document their incredible journey. Lastly, on our Vamp’d stage the blackened drapes opened one final time for the night. Who came out to wow us, bringing with them power of ages of rock and metal?! None other than SAXON! I absolutely had to creep through the crowd to have a better look at the amazement in the eyes and faces of Saxon fans all around me. It became plainly obvious to me that these metal masters contained the ultimate shine of rock and roll. Hearing lyrics and admiration from the screams of the crowd, I knew it was going to be a golden set of metal righteousness. Lead singer Biff Byford…well, it’s no secret… the man has a voice strong like lightning. Saxon, originally formed in the UK, brought their “Heavy Metal Thunder” to Vamp’d with their masterful art and talent worthy of metal gods.
Corine Shalene Parcells
Following the successful Autobiographical release from Dave Mustaine, simply entitled Mustaine, Megadeth co-founder David Ellefson has prepared his own work chronicling his life up to and including his tenure with Megadeth, his struggles as an addict followed by over two decades of sobriety, and personal life as a family man and a man of faith. This book is not another tell-all tale of debauchery and slanderous rumors. This is a profound spiritual inventory of a man who has lived through it all, and who continues to embody a life of recovery and personal surrender in order that it might serve others. David Ellefson has taken the time to speak with Metal Exiles and share with fans some insights into his new book, My Life With Deth.
An Interview with David Ellefson
Metal Exiles: What inspired you to write this autobiography, and release it now?
David Ellefson: Well a couple of things. You know, when I came back to Megadeth in 2010 my buddy Joel McIver had interviewed me for several things in Bass Guitar Magazine UK and several things over the years like that. So he reached out to me and said, “You know, I’ve written several autobiographies, and I’d love to do yours and quite honestly I think now’s the perfect time to write it. It will probably take a couple years before we write it and it gets to the street anyway so it would be a good idea to start it now.” Dave Mustaine had just put his book out, and a lot of big things were happening with Megadeth and The Big Four, me coming back into the band, the Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary tour, so big, big stuff was going on. So he really was the one who propelled me to do it. And I’m glad he did because these kinds of books are trendy these days, and there’s a lot of people writing them, and I think the fans enjoy them. But one of the things I was really careful to keep in mind was that I said: look, it’s not in my nature to just slam people and talk bad about people, and I know a lot of these books tend to do that. They tend to highlight debauchery and drugs & alcohol, a lot of brokenness, and often times it’s just a way for people to get some kind
By John Knowles
of retribution and get what they feel is theirs by writing a book and sort of throwing everyone else under the bus. I said I won’t write a book like that. Joel was very much respectful of my life, my personal life, my private life, as well as the Megadeth legacy. And to me, primarily first and foremost will probably be Megadeth fans reading it. So I wanted it to be a story that they would enjoy, that was truthful and would be something that was a part of the annals of the Megadeth legacy forever, and in high regard.
Metal Exiles: What you have here is not so much just a retelling of the facts – one story after another – but so much insightful spiritual commentary. I found it almost reads as a very thorough First Step inventory. Was this a deliberate choice?
David Ellefson: Well yeah because a big part of – as I stated in there 1988 through 1990 was a transitional period for me coming out of drugs & alcohol, getting sober, and that’s also another feature of a lot of these books – and for me I was like, I’m very private. I’ve never held any of that back if someone asks, but I don’t put that out there as sort of my calling card. I tend to keep that part of my life a little more anonymous, because it’s my private journey. And a lot of times it seems with these books, a guy gets 30 days out
of rehab and the next thing you know he’s on the Talk Show circuit with his new book, and I’m like...those dark debauchery days of my life were now almost a quarter of a century ago, it was a long time ago, you know, so I didn’t feel it was necessary to bring it up as just a way to sell a book. It’s really not my life anymore, and hasn’t been for many, many years. But I thought, what is a part of my life is the recovery journey, and that is my current life today, and it’s something that I felt, you know – I look at it in the light of if that part of my life can help inspire some people then maybe now is a good time to start talking more openly about that. Everyone knows me as the Megadeth guy, and the Rock n’ Roll guy, and the bass player guy, and that journey of me becoming spiritually awake, that happened in the last 23 years of my life. So that’s why I chose not to hold that back any longer, and to put that out there, and really talk openly about it.
Metal
myself of Rock n’ Roll I love when I get to read from other people who were all a part of someone’s journey. To me it colors the story; it makes it not just me writing about me, it kinda makes it us writing about us. And I love community...and to me the Metal community is always stronger when we stick together.
Exiles: Your book also includes quotes from other musicians and friends. Was it difficult to track anyone down and what inspired this idea?
David Ellefson: Well there’s kind of two sides when you reach out to friends or people in your industry or your community, you know, one is maybe for an endorsement of the book...and we have some of that as the book now is coming out some people have read it and say their opinion –hopefully high opinion of the book. But you know, I took a little bit different route; I thought you know it would be cool to have some of the people who were there on the journey with me talking about it. Everyone said some, you know flattering and nice things about me but I was really wanting to ask them more about...like Scott Ian for instance made a quote about back when he first met me when he first heard Killing is My Business... and this was Dave’s new band postMetallica, and those are cool moments you know when here’s a guy, Scott, who’s so revered and very public and popular himself as a celebrity and he’s recounting back in the early days when we were all just starting out. And to me as a fan
Metal Exiles: Early in the book there is a very interesting parallel you draw between yourself and Cliff Burton. Given that Cliff did indeed have a very unique playing style, I’ve noticed that he tends to be the standout bassist when people talk about the big names in thrash. Your style however, is very technical, and other musicians comment on this in the book. Do you feel after all these years that you have received the credit you’re due?
David Ellefson: I think I am receiving it you know, because I think early on Megadeth was a band that has always been and still is revered as a very credible band. We have our credibility; we’ve done a lot of different things obviously. The numbers are big, we’ve achieved a lot. But more importantly, when the dust settles from contemporary popularity, is: what’s the substance behind it? And I think that’s the thing where Megadeth...may win bigger than everybody. And not just the quantity of output, but the quality of that quantity. And I think that we still continue that to this day. And I think having been there through most of it – certainly there in
the beginning of it for the first almost 20 years before there was a season away from it – I think those are the things that start to earn credibility, and earn the respect of people. I think that for me I’ve always wanted to be in a band and be part of a band and be one of the co-creators, and just be part of that thing, and that’s how my life has panned out...so I’m part of something rather than always having to be “the” something. So having to be the solo guy, or “my name’s not first so I’m not gonna do it,” or any of that kind of stuff you know...I’ve taken leadership from kind of a vice-president position and sometimes leadership from rallying the troops and getting everybody synergized and together and helping them march in the same direction...often times following behind Dave Mustaine’s front leadership in Megadeth. And I found that that’s just a quality I have, and I think it speaks to my role as a bass player and certainly to my character as a person.
Metal Exiles: I know you touch on it in your book, but can you share with our readers with regards to your rejoining of Megadeth, were there tensions considering the previous lawsuit?
David Ellefson: Well, Joel McIver told me, “Look, you’re going to have to talk about your time away from the band, and certainly the legal matters and it would look weird in the book if you didn’t.” And my only thing was: Look, those issues are settled, they’re done, they’re over for me and Dave, and all of us have moved passed them and at some point you don’t just keep bringing up those things. For some they may be juicy gossip and they would love to talk about it, but again, I was like: I’m not interested in that...if that’s what it takes to sell a book, I won’t write a book, you know what I mean? To me it’s about preserving a new friendship that we have, me and Dave. And it’s about preserving a new working relationship and being productive and most importantly making some great music now, and the fans are happy, so to write a tell-all that just sort of spills the beans on everything was again, not my intent and I dug my heels in very firmly on my position of that. So what I think I did do was I did talk about what my life looked like at that time. And certainly some of the emotions that I went through, and identity crisis, and
that season that I was away from the group it forced me to grow up and go through a serious adult transformation that I think, when I did come back to Megadeth...you know Dave and I had spent some time together over coffee and dinner and those are the things I wanted to talk about. Dave and I may have had a falling out, but there was a long period of rebuilding a new friendship. The rebuilding and building a new friendship, that’s what created this moment when I came back and now it seems like where I’m seeing Megadeth is probably more vibrant than ever and quite honestly just as successful as ever. So if anything I think it speaks to everyone being able to put past things behind us, forgive, and keep an eye toward the future to continue building great things ahead.
Metal Exiles: Speaking of your time away from the band; that was obviously a time where you could count yourself as one of the many former members of Megadeth. In your book you go into detail about all of those former members over the years. You were always the guy woodshedding with the new members, and helping them adjust. How hard has it been to let go of so many relationships over the years? Are there guys you really wish you still had the opportunity to work with or be closer friends with?
David Ellefson: Well I guess the good news is I actually still am friends with everybody. I see Chuck Behler when I go through Detroit, I see Jeff Young at NAMM every year in January, I just saw Nick Menza at an Autograph show in
Los Angeles [editor’s note: The Rock n Roll Autograph Show 2013] just a few weeks ago. I talk to Marty probably once a year through email. This is all with no intention other than to just say, “hey bro, how are you doing?” Because, when you spend so many years of intense confinement together you get to know someone and even though people’s lives may change and the ambitions and directions of their own lives may change, you’ve always got that experience that you had together in a band. And those are really priceless moments that you get to look back on, especially all of these years later. And even the rough periods, you get to have some laughs over it. We’re always connected because of our fans. Our fans are like the world-wide community that in some way keep us connected, because we were a favorite group of people at that time to them. It doesn’t mean we have to reform the band and that line-up, and we don’t have to make music ever, ever again or any of that stuff, but just as a good buddy and a good neighbor to everyone I seem to be that guy that stays in touch with people...sometimes unintentionally but I seem to be that guy that kind of is able to at least leave
doors open to people to if nothing else at least stop by and say hello once in a while.
Metal Exiles: What have been some of your favorite experiences since re-joining with Megadeth in 2010?
David Ellefson: Well, certainly coming back right away when we were doing Rust In Peace was just phenomenal. Because a lot of those songs Dave and I never ever played even after we recorded it, probably half that album we never did play live. So this was the first time any of us started playing them in a live show setting. And of course we just did the Countdown To Extinction tour last year, and that CD/DVD just came out last week, and I’m so glad we captured that because it just showcased this line-up getting better and better at everything that we do, and I think that capturing that Countdown tour was...you see it, you hear it, you know...the quality of where Megadeth is at now. A couple weeks ago we just did a two week tour with Iron Maiden in America, and we haven’t done a tour with Maiden in America in 25 years. So just a lot of great moments, great tours, Slayer and Megadeth touring together again as much as we did here in the last several years. The Big 4 of course was probably the biggest shot heard round the world in the thrash metal community as a whole. So its really just been an incredible few years. Its like were really getting to just relish and enjoy all those years that especially Dave and I...its like we were planting seeds, and now is the harvest.
Metal Exiles: Your last two records with the band have taken a noticeably different direction than United Abominations or Endgame. Can you share the reason for this, and have you guys discussed a musical direction for your next record?
David
Ellefson: Yes, and yes (laughs). With Super Collider, us being back on Universal Records and just feeling the attention from a major label was a very positive and esteeming thing for us, you know, we went through a lot of years since Capitol Records, a lot of years with a couple of other different record labels, and complete shifts in the landscape of heavy metal. And getting back at Universal felt like...it finally felt like we made it back around the track and we’ve come home safely again. And I don’t know, it
was a spirit of where were at that time that led to the Super Collider record, and I know its been a controversial record and I think probably the biggest controversy is normally we would lead off the record with a “metal” track, like “Kingmaker” for instance, right? And then following that would be the more melodic song such as “Super Collider.” This record was the oppostite. They led with “Super Collider,” which is a very mainstream, simple song, and I think a lot of fans freaked out and said, “Oh no, what happened to Megadeth?” There’s a way that you kind of build in to those things, but for whatever reason that strategy didn’t develop like that on this record. So here you have this anticipation for Megadeth and for someone to hear “Super Collider,” which normally would have been the second track...there was some backlash for sure from that. But I think once people heard the record they went, “Whoa, there’s a lot of great stuff on here, and this is a Megadeth record like we would expect it to be.” You know, “Dance in the Rain,” “Built For War,” “Beginning of Sorrow,” “Burn,”...there’s a whole bunch of stuff that’s true to form with Megadeth. It took I think buying it, having it, living with it to really come to know: Yep, these are our boys, Megadeth!
Metal Exiles: David, thank you so much for your time, and we really appreciate how much you put into answering everything and for sharing everything that you did. Is there anything else you would like the fans to know about the book?
David Ellefson: Its interesting with the book we’re actually offering a special leather-bound limited edition that we’re only offering to the Megadeth Cyber-Army fan club. We wanted to do something unique, just for the fans that have been the long-timers with us, and really kind of go the extra distance so I think it is cool that we are able to offer that. I am also going to be announcing some book signings, [editor’s note:
Head to DavidEllefson.com/events for more details] so if I am in your area I’d love to meet you, and sing a book for you.
Be sure to visit David’s website for more information on the upcoming book signings, and all things related to David’s musical projects in and out of Megadeth.
My Life With Deth will be released on October 29th and is a must read for Megadeth fans, and anyone interested in a powerful story of one man’s amazing life journey.
Official David Ellefson Site
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Ron McGill, remember him? Drummer for Whiskey Southern, owner of last month’s HOT Chevelle SS? Well he’sback with yet ANOTHER hot car...a ‘67 Camaro that willblow you away. AND, thismonthwegettoseethenewestmemberoftheCVWWteam,CorinShaleneParcells,inallherhotness,makingthisautomobilelookgooooood…
Someguyshavealltheluck...
Ron’s Story of the Camaro
My father in-law bought the ‘67 Camaro for $600 in the early 90's. It ran but needed A LOT of work. He built a make shift auto body shop in his garage and started to tear down the car to its frame. Every nut and bolt was touched in building this car. He wanted to keep most of the look original but beef it up with better parts. He painted it himself, built the engine and reworked all the sheet metal. He started by putting disc brakes all around. He fit a 12 bolt Posi rear end on the back. He ordered a 502 ci engine, which was only the 2nd of its size in Vegas at that time. The first belonging to the owner of the Chevy dealership at the time. Hooker headers are attached to a 3 inch exhaust system ceramic coated and flow master mufflers...850 cfm Holley carb...MSD ignition, distributor, and coil...dual electric radiator fans. A Muncie 4 speed transmission with Hurst comp shifter attached to a Center Force clutch makes the 1992 Camaro 16 inch wheels spin and make the asphalt scatter like crazy!
The Teal color from a 1992 Chevy truck with SS Bumble Bee stripe is the finished touch.
What to do When Your Car Gets a Blowout
Last Month CV WorldWide showed us information on WHY tire blowouts happen...this month, we take you further and show you what to do WHEN a tire blowout happens.
Safely handling a tire blowout at highwayspeed is sort of like going to class as a star athlete at a college-football powerhouse: do nothing more than sit quietly and you'll probably get a B. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is nothing.
A major tire company conducted a training classtoabout1500driversonhowtosuccessfully handle a tire blowout. They affixed plastic explosive to the tire sidewall, which not only blew out thetirebutalsorealisticallysimulatedthepetrifyingnoiseofabursttire.Thelessonhappenedat60 to 65 mph, with simulated blowouts on the front andreartiresofcars,pickups,minivans,andsport -utilityvehicles.
The advice from the trainers of the class? Justkeepcalmanddrivestraightdownyourlane.
The bravest piece of training for the attendees was to do something completely counterintuitive: Press the gas pedal for an instant. The goal is to hit the accelerator just long enough to stabilizethevehicle.Otherbenefitsofpressingthe gas for short instant: It prevents the driver from pushingthebrakeorturningthesteeringwheel.If the only thing this accomplishes is to lock up the
driver's brain while they remember what to do, then it’s an unnatural act well executed. By the time the driver clears his/her head, the vehicle willhaveslowedtoasafespeed.
Worried about accelerating with a blown tire?Thefactisthat thedragofatrulyblowntire is so great that even with the throttle held wide openforseveralseconds,fewvehicleswillbeable to do more than maintain their speed. A short press of the accelerator will not make the vehicle accelerate that blown tire will make the car feel asifyou'redraggingaparachute.
The most common “best practice”, on that would notcauseanymentalmeltdowns,istostay away from the brake pedal and allow the drag of the failed tire to slow the vehicle to 30 mph or slower,ideally beforeyouevenconsideredturning the steering wheel. But it's easier said than done,especiallyintherealworldwherethere'sno driverinstructortoremindyounottopanic.Drivingstraightandnotpoundingthebrakeiscontrary to almost every driver's natural reaction to brake hard and head immediately for the false safetyoftheshoulder.
If you're in a car equipped with antilock brakes, hitting them might not spell disaster as
long as you keep the steering wheel pointed straight ahead. This is acceptable, but generally the least of the “successful” options because the false safety of anti-lock brakes leads people to think they can turn the wheel while the car is braking. Bad idea…
The worst thing to do is giving in to the temptation to jerk the steering wheel before thecarhassloweddown.Especially if it's a rear tire that has blownout;inthatcase,turning thewheelathighspeedcreates a high likelihood that the car willspinout.
rally slow the car. While the tire's carcass will often hold air for a short period, it offers almost no traction.
One more thing to know: Except for tire nerds, few people think about the difference betweenatrulyblowntireandatreadseparation.To regular folks, any failed tire is a "blowout." Yet, a tread separation has more potential for disaster because the flailing tread has the potential to rip intothepassengercompartmentlikeagiant,steelreinforced Weed Eater. Unlike a deflated blowout, atreadseparationdoesnotproducedragtonatu-
"PREPARING YOU FOR GREATNESS"
Apartialtreadseparationis,expertsassert, theworst-casesituation.Apartialseparationiswhenachuck of tread remains affixed to the tire carcass. If it happens on therearofavehiclewithasolid rear axle, a common design forpickupsandSUVs,bothrear tires will bounce uncontrollably.Imaginedrivingonicewith bald rear tires: It's worse than that. Any movement of the steering wheel will cause the car to spin. When a carspinsonapublicroad,itoftenleavesthepavement.Andwhenthathappens,itoftenflipsover. Here, our advice not to jerk the wheel becomes even more pressing. If you suffer a failed tire at speed, drive straight down your lane until your vehicle is almost stopped. Then, ever so gently, ease toward the shoulder. It’s easy to say, hard to do, but try not to panic, keep calm, and you’ll make it through this disaster.
The Life Times of...
From a young social outcast to rock star to paramedic to writer to photographer to Fantasy Camp “counselor”, the life of Kelly Garni has been a roller coaster of highs & lows and incredible experiences, but the one thing that has remained constant throughout is all is the his love for music and his legacy as a founding member of Quiet Riot. The man whom the late great Randy Rhoads called “best friend” still lives a life of music, of performing, and nostalgia. CV WorldWide got a chance to talk to Kelly about his incredible journey...
<CV WW> Let's talk about your early years - when did you first really become infatuated with music; at what point, and what was the catalyst, did you say "I want to play music be a rock star". Did you have any other interests growing up?
<KellyGarni>Ihadmessedaroundwithaguitarwhen I was 9 or 10 years old, but that was all it was, just messingaround. It wouldbeeasyformeto sayI was drawn to it, but to be honest, it seemed like a hard thing to learn to play, almost painful. Then I met this other kid who has an electric guitar and a good sized amp;whenIsawandheardhowmuchnoiseyoucould make with that gear, the appeal began to set in. Althoughitendeduplyingdormantforsometime.
<CV WW> How did you gravitate towards playing bass guitar?
<CV WW> The first step in this was moving to Burbank, CA in the early 70's; soon after, you met Randy Rhoads. How old were you guys when you first met, what can you tell us about that meeting, was it just two kids saying "hey man"?
<KG>Iwas11andRandywas12,hewasayearolder thanmebecausehehadgonetoadifferentschooland 7th gradewasinanewschoolforbothofus,JohnMuir High School. Randy is actually 10 months older than me. Neither of us fit in at the new school; we were both a bit withdrawn by nature, him moreso than me, andthenew school wastheworstthing that had ever happened to either of us. Everything was so new and confusing, and it was a much bigger school than we hadeverbeento,wefeltveryoutofplace.
ing as confused and miserable as me. To me, even then, he seemed to have an aura about him; when I looked at him, I saw him in a different way. I knew right away he was special and just different than the otherkids. Ihadnoideawhyhestruckmelikethat. I was so young, I had never felt or sensed anything like that before, but something inside me told me that I shouldgettoknowhim,andthatitwasimportantthat Idoso. Therewasamagictohim,anditseemedthatI was the only one in the whole school who saw it. No oneelseintheschoolpaidanyattentiontous…atfirst.
<CV WW> Why do you think the two of you got along so well?
<KG> Well, I think we met at a good time. We were still a few miles from being adults, but we had a good idea of the direction in which we were headed…
Fuzzy but nostalgic cover of Quiet Riot I - Kelly is on the right.
especiallyoncewegotmusically ambitious. But to be sure, we just “clicked” right out of the gate – maybe it was because otherthaneachother,noonein thewholeschool wantedtotalk tous!LOL
<CV WW> You two became best friends during junior high, tell us about how you two started playing together. <KG> When I met him, one of the first things he said was that he played guitar. I thought that was pretty cool, but it wasn’t until I went to his house and heard him play that I saw he was pretty serious about it. He was great even then, andhedidn’tevenknowhowtoplayanyleadsyet. He immediatelyturnedme intoabassplayer,whichgave himsomeonetojamwith…andwhenhelearnedanew lead, he would teach me a pattern to play and would dotheleadoverandovertopractice,thentryitindifferent ways. Usually the patterns were only 3 or 4 notes,butwewouldplaythemforhoursonend. Eventually,wewouldeventurnthemintosongs.
What really changed everything was when we discovered Alice Cooper. When we heard that, we wantedtosoundjustlikehim,andit becameourmissionofsorts.Thatchangedourapproachtomusic.
Thefirstthingwastogetoursoundliketheirs; oncewedidthat welearnedevery ACsong that existed, going back to their first album, “Pretties for You”. After we learned all that, we were able to come up with our own things that sounded much like they did. ThencameDavidBowie…
When Randy heard Mick Ronson, we HAD to learneveryDavidBowiesongsohecoulddotheleads. People always come up with these really off the wall playerstheysayinspiredhimandinfluenced him;but really,ifitwasn’tBuxtonfromAliceCooper,orRonson from Bowie, we didn’t pay much attention. We did eventually play songs from all kinds of other bands, especially the Rolling Stones, we knew tons of their songs;butKeithRichardscertainlywasn’taninfluence perse. Ifwenoticedanyoneelse,IwouldcalloutJimmyPageorRitchieBlackmore,butunlesstheywerein asuperfreakyband,weweren’tveryinterested.
KISScamealong,butwethoughttheyweretoo "comic book" for us. Not only that, but we thought their songs were unsophisticated, too simple. To us, theyalllookedanddressedalike,whereasalltheother
bands we liked, the players always had their own image that wasall their own. We had started toget a bit creativewiththewaywedressedandlooked.Ourhair grew long, and we made a lot of our clothes. This became a huge problem in school, because by that time we were in 9th grade and things got really bad for us. The other kids called us fags and really hassled us to the point where it was difficult to go to school. And eventually, we just stopped going. Truth be told, we neverwenttheremuchanyways.
<CV WW> Talk about the years spent hanging with Randy, and the decision to form a band call, let's see, um, oh yeah, Quiet Riot! Well, first it was Mach 1, then Little Women (?!), then Quiet Riot.
<KG> It wasn't long before we had progressed to the pointthatwesawtheneedtoformaband.Thisreally became apparent in a big way when we were around 13. We had already been jamming with lots of older guys who jammed in parks and back yards. We found someguysclosetoourage,adrummerandaguywho went to our school who could sing a bit and play rhythm guitar. We called that band "Mildred Pierce" which we thought was very Alice Cooper of us. We played at some backyard parties and did some sort of battle of the bands. Other bands followed, and usually wewouldfindourselvesplayingwithmucholderplayers. Which worked out well; we didn't drive yet and these older guys usually had a van or something for haulingallourgear.OtherthanMildredPierce,wehad a band called "the Katzenjammer Kids", and during a brief spat that Randy and I got into, there was a band called"Violet Fox"that hadhisbrotherondrums, and guy from Mildred who played guitar. No bass player. That band didn't do much. And then there was one
called "the Whore" which is a god awful name and I have no idea what we were thinking. Our drummer was a few years older than us and our singer was almost20yearsolder!ButwedidplayataclubinHollywoodontheSunsetStrip,whichatouragewasanaccomplishment.MostoftheolderguysinBurbankhadn't even done that yet. For years, the name "Mach 1" hasbeensaidtobeoneofourbands,butweneverhad a band called that. Never! Although I'd be the first to sayIwishedwehadusedthatinsteadof"theWhore"! LOL
Wewentontheplayinabandcalled“Smokey" and our arrival to the Sunset Strip in Hollywood was official.SmokeywasasclosetoanAliceCooperkindof singeraswecouldfind.Hedidn'ttrytobelikehim,he was just very unique like Alice was. With Smokey we were able to play at "Rodney Bingenheimers" club, which at the time was the hippest place around. We didalotofgrowingupduringthattime.Anditbecame veryclearthatwewereheadedinaveryspecificdirection. We always had that singular path ahead, and I thinkitnotonlydefinedwhowewere,butalsogaveus
goals.WeknewwebelongedonthestagesattheWhiskeyandtheTroubador. Wealsoknewourageheldus back. Mostplayers wouldn't want anything todo with usbecausetheythoughtwewerejustacoupleoflittle kids, who were weird looking to boot. That is, until theyheardusplay!
<CV WW> Tell us about that original lineup - how did you and Randy find the other members?
<KG>PlayinginHollywoodledtolotsofhangingoutin Hollywood. And we began to meet people and make friends. We liked it there, it didn't matter how weird youwereandeveryonelovedmusicians.Onenightwe were at this girl’s house and she was on the phone withherfriend.Ioverheardhertalkingaboutasinger. Sincewewerealwayslookingforone,Itoldhertoget the guy’s number from her friend. That singer turned out to be Kevin DuBrow. There are two versions of whathappenednext.Oneismine,andtheotherisKevin's.Botharedetailedinmybook.Sufficetosay.Some common ground was found and we decided to work with him. After auditioning a couple of drummers, we decided on Drew Forsythe who had been in Mildred Pierce with us. Kevin, who was slightly older than us, hadaplan of hisownontheroad tostardom. Hesaid weneededamanager,whichhedidgetusinshortorder.Now weactuallyhadsomeone whonotonlygave moneyforthingsweneeded,butseemedtoknowalot more than us about the music business. A name was needed. Randy was the one who came up with “Little Women” for a name. And for some reason we all agreed.Butthatnameonlylastedaboutaweek.
<CV WW> How did you choose the name Quiet Riot? <KG> It was Kevin who came up with "Quiet Riot", a name he had heard Ritchie Parfit of "Status Quo" say. Ritchiehadactuallysaid"quiteright",butKevin'sears misinterpretedtheheavycockneyaccentas"QuietRiot",anamewealllovedimmediately.
<CV WW> As close as you and Randy were, you were the opposite with Kevin...anything specific, natural personalities, where did that friction come from? Were you able to channel it in a positive way at all? <KG>A lotofthe frictionwasbecauseInever wanted him in the band in thefirst place, whereas Randy was able to see some potential I could not. Nevertheless, wemadehimintoapassablesinger.Fromthereitwas all personality. He was very take charge and bossy, something we weren't used to. He made it very clear that Randy was the only one in the band who mattered, other than him. I believe there was also some resentmentbecauseIwasRandy'sbestfriend.Itnever
got positive until many years later when we had becomeoldmen.
<CV WW> What were your original goals, were they modest or just "shoot for the moon"?
<KG> “Shoot for the moon” ispretty accurate. We just knew we wanted to play hard rock and we wanted to doitlivenomatterwhat;wewantedtobethebiggest bandintheworld.
<CV WW> In the mid-70's, QR was rising in the ranks of the LA club scene, how crazy was the time? What was it like for a group of 20-ish members in a hot club scene band back then? I believe you guys were the top dog at the Starwood, is the right?
<KG> The early to mid-70's was a time when it was a blast to be a musician. The whole attitude of the era was sex, drugs and rock and roll. That's when it was invented. And us basically being kids made it very interesting. The funny thing was, once we started doing stuff over the hill in Hollywood, everyone seemed to forget we weresoyoung. Backthen, forbandslikeus, the main goal was the Starwood or the Whiskey, the Starwoodbeingthefirststepintheroad.
<CV WW> You made mention a few times about "the rules that made the Starwood such a great place to play" - care to elaborate?
<KG> Now, the Starwood was an interesting place. Owned by the biggest gangster in L.A., loads of dope being sold out of the place, noage limit!!!!!! And there were few rules. If a kid wanted a beer, he simply strolled up to the bar and ordered one like everyone else, and then paid for it like everyone else. It was
sometimes a violent place, lots of fights. And it was madeupofabout70%hotgirlsand30%guys.Aband was judged on its popularity by how many girls showedupattheirshow.
<CV WW> Talk about the progression of playing in a club band - small clubs, holes in the wall, then up to bigger venues like the Starwood & Troubadour…
<KG> It WAS like a ladder…once you had made the grade at the Starwood, you moved on to the Whiskey, and the Troubador and then onto warming up for nationalacts,whichiswhatwedid.
<CV WW> Casablanca Records, and a number of other companies (62!) passed on QR...looking back, with the reason and logic of a lifetime, can you pinpoint any reason? I'm pretty sure a bunch of those companies are kicking themselves in the ass for not signing QR when you guys were up and coming, but why was it so hard for you to get signed?
<KG> Actually, it was 32 labels that passed, 62 was a typo.Butstill,wecouldn'tbelievewhatwashappening to us. Here we were the toast of the town in Hollywood, and no one wanted us to make a record. Meanwhile, we watched as a few bands around us got signed. A reason was given to us, but in my opinion it didmuchharmtotheband.Ourmanagerstoldusthat our songs were not right, that we need to change our sound and image and be more like some of the pop bands that were coming up in the charts. In other words,weweretoohardrock,andedgy.Weneededa musicalandimagemake-over.Itquicklybecameacase of too many cooks spoil the broth. New clothes matched the new "pop" direction we found ourselves on.ItwaseasyforKevinasheactuallylikedbandslike “the Knack” and “the Bay City Rollers” that were both suggested to us as a model for our visual and musical transformation. We were no longer true to ourselves, and I think it showed musically mostly. I hated the clothesInowhadtowear,buteveryoneelse,especiallyRandy,likedtheirnewlook.Allinall,itdidn'tmake any difference. When we played we still sold out, and recordcompaniescontinuedtopassonus.
<CV WW> Glendale College, playing with Van Halen...tell us how that validated QR, playing with/ against the boys from Pasadena. I imagine there was a lot of subtle (and not so subtle) competition for that show, how did you guys get along after it was all done?
<KG> This show was a much anticipated one for the wholescene. Therewasasmallamount offrictionbeforetheshowovertheusualthingssuchaswherecertainampswentandthestagesetup.Forthemostpart,
wedidn'tevenseethem.KevinandIhadaruninwith DavidLeeRothandMichaelAnthony,butitwasjusta fewwordsthrown.Theywereononesideoftheplace and we were on the other. When they did their show, we didn't even watch it. We were too busy having a partyinourdressingroom.
<CV WW> Buddah Records finally signed QR to a record deal, but went bankrupt pretty early on in the process...yet another "it figures" moment for the band? Then QR got signed by a Japanese record company, released Quiet Riot I & II to much popularity in Japan, but not so much in the US: in fact, I don't believe they got released in the US, is that right?
<KG>Indeed,wedidgetsignedtoBuddah,andthatat leastgotuscommittedinastudio.Itbecamejustabit ofascarewhenthechecksbounced.TheJapanesedeal saved our asses, but record wise limited our world domination. Apparently, we were well liked in Japan, andweatleastlookedforwardtogoingthereandfeelinglikerockstars.
<CV WW> You make an interesting comment in the book "These days, if you put out an album, you would just naturally assume it would be available
throughout the world, through Amazon and other internet companies. But not back then. It was a much different story." Tell us your thoughts on the music industry and how it's changed (for the better, or worse)?
<KG> I have always hated the music business, but the whole thing where labels ruled the industry is long gone. All the things that used to happen in a big fancy buildingnowhappeninsomekid’sgarage.
<CV WW> Forward to 1979; you made the decision to leave QR...tell us why? Was it a difficult decision? What did the guys in the band say?
<KG>Iwasdismissedfromthebandfollowinganincident between me and Randy. What should have been anissuebetweenheandIwashandledonabandand management level. At first I was devastated, but after time I felt it was best for me. I was tired of Kevin, the managers and the whole music scene. I was tired of being poor. Most importantly, it didn't affect my and Randy'sfriendship.Iamstillveryclosewithhisfamily.
<CV WW> Obviously, QR was a huge story in your life, but after QR, you've still lived fully - right after QR, you became a paramedic? Was the rush of a medical emergency similar or different from the rush of being on stage playing?
<KG> I had always wanted to be a fireman, so once I wasoutofthebandIstartedworkinginthatdirection immediately.Icutallmyhairoffjust3daysoutofthe band.Ididbecomean EMTandworkedin thebackof ambulancesoffandonforthenext10years.Ithought it would be a different world than the one I had just left,butitwasthesame.
<CV WW> How was it the same?
<KG>LikeHollywood, thewholebusinesswaskindof apartyzone.Alotofpeoplegotloadedandrancalls.I thought I was going to be around more studious and serious people, but everyone was wild and we always had parties on days off. Those people can get pretty wild. The nature of the job was like doing a show. You'd show up at a wreck, and the bystanders were youraudience,theshowwasyoucleaningupthemess. Any girl who liked a man in a uniform was like a groupie.Ilovedthejobthough.
<CV WW> Wow, interesting…
<KG> And yes, running calls was an adrenaline rush. I startedwritingaftertakingaclass.Andeventuallybecameaphotographer.I'vealwaystriedtotakecreative paths. Ambulance was like art. You had to be creative tomakenotonlyyourselfsurvive,butothers.Thatjob was very dangerous in ways you would think. Photo-
graphyhasbeenverygoodtomeandnextyearwillbe 20 years in business for me. I still play music; most currentlyIhaveamusicalpartnerinTomieraeBrown, JamesBrown’swidow.Wehavebeenfriendssinceshe was 14 years old and she's an incredible singer. I also workwithRockandRollFantasyCamp.
<CV WW> Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp?
<KG>Yeah,it'sprettycool.I'llbedoingabooksigning Feb 13th and the guests they are having at this event are Joe Perry, Steve Vai, John 5, Michael Anthony and Eric Johnson. But otherwise, I'm a "camp counselor". Regularpeoplepayprettygoodmoneyjusttojamwith thelikesofme,howgreatisthat?Igettoplaywithlots of big players (like those guys I mentioned); I do live shows and I have lunch and dinner with these "campers". Some pretty big people do it, it’s a great time. Youcanfindmoreinformationouthere: http://www.rockcamp.com/index.php.
<CV WW> Randy left the music world in 1982, Kevin in 2007 - you were basically Siamese twins with Randy and polar opposites with Kevin, but each year on their anniversary, do you get nostalgic?
<KG> I miss both of them every day. Both were my brothers. Asfor anniversaries, well, March19thIusuallygotowhereRandyisresting,tobewithhisfamily andtothankallthefanswhoshowup.WithKevin,our birthdayisthesameday.Later,afterwereconciled,we would spend that day together, usually at a very expensiverestaurant.Mybirthdayjustisn'tthesameanymore
<CV WW> You and Kevin were like cats & dogs during your time together, but it took until the 90's before you guys made nice and patched things up, yes?
<KG> If anything makes me happy it's that in the end KevinandIbecameveryclose.Itmadesensesincewe had so much history. We used to laugh and laugh at howthingsweretobebetweenusandtheshitwedid toeachother.
<CV WW> You played on QR I, but did not play though you were given credit on QR II, did I read that right?
<KG>Thatistrue.AnditneverbotheredmethatIdidn't get credit. My picture is on that cover though, you just have to find it. Rudy Sarzo has always been graciousenoughtogivemecreditthroughouttheyears.
<CV WW> You were also inducted into the Vegas Music Hall of Fame, the 80's - talk about that honor.
<KG>Thatwasalotoffun.Inthe80'sIwasinaband with Mark Slaughter here in Vegas. We got to reunite
and do a few songs for the induction show. Mark is a great guy and I am honored that I now have such a goodmusicallegacywithhim.
<CV WW> The book, "Angels with Dirty Faces" - talk to us about the title, what meaning does that phrase have for you?
<KG>Thetitleisfromamoviemadeinthe30's.Randy hasalwayshadthisimageofbeingangelicandperfect. Buthewashuman,andhehadhisfaults.Allandallwe could have turned out worse, both of us. But slightly dirtyangelsseemedtodescribeusbest.
<CV WW> Also, what was the intention behind writing the book? Did you feel cathartic in writing the book, exorcising old demons, or did you just feel as though there were interesting stories to tell?
<KG>Iwrotethebookforfans,nootherreason.Itcertainly wasn't for money. To be honest, it wasn't fun writing this book. And it was even scarier knowing that someday it would be out there for anybody to read.
<CV WW> "It wasn't fun at all writing this book"...why? Too many painful memories? Were you leery of baring your soul?
<KG>Mostlyitwasn'tfunbecauseitwasalotofwork. Ihaveaverybadbackfromtheaforementionedcareer choiceanditwasverypainfultositforsuchlongperiods of time. I wasn't afraid of having my life "out there",itprettymuchalreadyis. Ialsowantedtowait several more years before I wrote it. But it was really great to find out now that I actually can sit down and writeabook.It'sprettyhard.Butholdingitinmyhand feelsgood.Ihopetowriteatleastonemorebook.
<CV WW> So no regrets?
<KG> I don't regret it, but I understand why I had to write it. There's too many people out there who put themselves into Randy's life when they were barely everthere.
<CV WW> “why I had to write it” - can you elaborate? Or was it just to get the truth about your life & the life of QR & Randy out there?
<KG>Truthsanduntruths,theyarecertainlyoutthere. I wrote the book for the fans; all the ones who have kept his name alive for so many years, and the young people who are just discovering him. He also is often portrayedasbeingangelicandperfect.Idon'tthinkhe would have wanted that. He was way too modest to everevenconsiderhe wasworthbeingdeified. Itried to show he was a real person, who was like any of us. In addition, a legacy is like a fire, and needs fuel to burn. Mybookisjustanotherlogonthefire,although I'msuremanypeoplenamedinmybookwouldliketo throw my book INTO a fire. LOL1 It was time to clean Randy's house a bit, there are some people out there who do not belong in his memory. My book takes out thetrash.
<CV WW> In the end, you can never get away from your legacy in QR, in music, does that weigh on you?
Do you tire of it sometimes? Or, after a long time of reflection, have you made peace with it? It's in your DNA, you know that.
<KG>IunderstandmylegacyinQuietRiot,andIknow whatabigroleit plays in mylife. I don'ttireofit, but sometimes I don't understand the kind of attention I get. What disappointsmethemostisthat noonesees me as a musician unto myself, only as the guy who played and grew up with Randy. He taught me bass and did a damn good job. No other bass player can makethatclaim.I'vealwayswantedtogetrecruitedby areallybigandcoolband,butthatofferhasn'tcometo meyet. Maybesomedaysoon…
<CV WW> Aside from Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp, what's next for Kelly Garni, to the end of 2013 & on into 2014?
<KG>Ihaveaband"Brownstone"withmygoodfriend Tomierae Brown, she is the widow of James Brown andhadalsodatedKevinDuBrowforawhile,she'san incrediblesinger.MyguitaristChristianRobbinsisonly 17 and it's great to play with someone young and enthusiastic. I have also been doing some acting. My friendEricSalasisan incrediblevideoguyandhehas beencastingmeinsomemusicvideoswithsomeprettybignames. And Iam havingablast withthat! Ialso stilldophotographyandamactiveinthelocalartscene.
<CV WW> Any personal message you'd like to offer to our readers?
<KG>Iamverygratefultoallthosewhohaveensured that Randy’s talent remains a significant bench mark, andthathecontinuestoinspireandteach.Thisiswhat hewouldhavewantedhislegacytobeabout.
“AngelswithDirtyFaces” isavailableatAmazon.com
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Contacts
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How did you get started in fitness?
By accident! I have struggled with my weight all of my life. I have tried every diet plan, fad, trick, pill, shot, etc., you name it, I’m sure I’ve tried it. I was my heaviest ever in December 2011.
I began working with my amazing trainer Jay Horn (http://hornfitness.com/) in early May 2012. (He was filling in for another trainer I was working with and honestly not seeing results. I was actually planning on quitting.) I was basically going to give up and accept I was going to be just another fat, middle aged woman.
I immediately switched trainers and have been following his guidance and diet plans ever since and my results have been completely beyond anything I ever could have hoped for. I started out just wanting to lose a few pounds and get healthier. I never could have imagined I’d be where I am now; 45 pounds lighter and doing bikini competitions! It’s just crazy!
Were you always into fitness or athletics?
Honestly no. I always wanted to be in shape and I was always trying to lose weight but it’s been a struggle my entire life. Now at age 47, I can finally say I did it.
Why did you decide to pursue "competitive"fitness?
My crazy trainer suggested it late September 2012. Never in a million years could have ever thought I’d do something like that. It never crossed my mind. When he
suggested I think about doing a show, I literally looked around to see who he was talking to. My initial reaction was “Oh, hell no” and “Me?! You’re on crack!” Well, as I continued to progress with my weight loss and continued to be encouraged to try, I decided why not? I made it a “bucket list” item.
Were you nervous the first time you were on stage?
It was March 30, 2013 and I was completely and utterly terrified! I did just awful my first show. I look back at the pictures and videos from then and have made it a learning experience. “This is what you should NOT do!” Hahaha!! At least I didn’t pass out or wet myself up there!
My second show July 2013 was much better and I had a blast. I was still very nervous but everything went so much better. We will see how I do at the Vegas Classic on Nov. 2, 2013.
What advice or words of wisdom might you have for people interesting in pursuing this?
If you want it, do it but understand it is very HARD work. At my age, it’s just crazy hard. However, with the right guidance, patience, determination and consistency you will be shocked at what you can accomplish. I am proof you don’t have to be “20 something” to do this either. I plan to continue to compete and look forward to being 50 on stage in a little over 2 years.
Bike: 2007 Red Horse Chopper
Bike Owner: Bill VanVolkinburg
Pictures Courtesy of: Vantastic Images
The 'Las Vegas Music Scene Has a Heart III' was a huge success again. This third event, this time supporting the fire devastation up on Mt. Charleston, played at a new location for live music, the Hideaway, and brought out a large part of the local music scene. The event, sponsored in part by CVSW, hosted a number of bands that entertained the crowd damned near till the sun came up. Smashing Alice, Stickman Shadow, Whiskey Southern, The Bones, Systemec, Threedom Rock, Stoney Curtis and an All-Star-Jam featuring Jimmy Crespo from Aerosmith were all on the bill with acoustic performances by Brian Sylvester (Smashing Alice), Emily Kyle, Kevin Kennedy, Brad Bailey, and Max Rico.
It seems 'The Hideaway' is going to try to be a contender in the northwest area, hosting live music events, competing with Cheyenne Saloon right across the street. If they do it right, with noncompeting genre's, both venues can stay competitive without pissing on each other's territory, so to speak. Can’t wait to see if this venue continues to bring in the solid performers to draw the crowds necessary.
Shakespeare's Pub in Henderson continues to bring in the talent with performances by 'Threedom
Some not so great news, Dirty Pair-A-Dice has lost another one of it's original members, with Dylan exiting the band. The boys took the Vamp'd stage and 'brought it' with Jason Constantine filling in and they did not disappoint. Hopefully Dallas' new lineup and direction brings the power that I'm hearing about. Stay tuned for some good things to come from these guys.
Super Run & Classic Car Show
The largest Car Show in Nevada graced the streets of Henderson, in southeast Las Vegas, bringing out hundreds of custom and classic carsforanentireweekendofevents.TheSuper Run & Classic Car Show had some of the most uniqueandcustomcars,trucksandbikesofany showinNevada.CarownersdropcarsoffonFriday nightandthecarsremainondisplayfortheentire weekend.A'Cars&Parts'Corralforthoselooking to buy and sell parts, a 'Show & Shine' with $15,000incash&prizesandFood&Productvendorsliningeverystreetcordonedofffortheevent. Thiseventbringsouttensofthousandofspectatorstoenjoyallofthevehiclesandentertainment.
Rock' and Kelly Dorn's project, 'Driving While Blind'. A British style Pub & Grille with a Sports Bar twist, adding live music was the best thing this area has seen since the infamous Redhawk closed a few years ago.
Legend's Bar & Grill brought back the John Zito Band with a rocking performance by the trio. Zito and the boys always bring that awesome rocking blues sound and they never disappoint. Legend's showed the support with some of the cheapest drinks within a 5 mile radius that has live music.
A new local band to pop up recently is Dave Geyer's project 1111 (Eleven Eleven). Taking the stage at First Friday, They played everything from Johnny Cash to Pearl Jam to Staind and Puddle of Mudd. Make sure to check these guys out. Speaking of Legend's Bar & grill, just previously, 'Eleven Eleven' will be competing in Legend's Battle of the Band's II in November, with their first performance
being on November 8th. Go out and support these local rockers.
Another new live venue popped up on The Strip, bringing another potential avenue to solidify the local scene. In the space formerly occupied by the short-live Queen Victoria's Pub inside the Riviera Hotel, the Wicked Vicky Tavern opened it's doors to a performance by Smashing Alice. The boys shook up the joint and sent the bingo-playing grey hairs that are the Riviera's regulars, home with a little more ringing in the ears than normal.
Speaking of Smashing Alice, the boys took back the stage at Vinyl inside the Hard rock for the 'Official Slayer After-Party', to what I was told, was a full-capacity room. Playing after the Andrew Dice Clay show and getting the crowd leaving Slayer, this had to be the loudest place in all of Vegas.
Jeff Duncan, of Armored Saint fame, brought 'DC4' to Vamp'd with a megarock performance, sharing the bill with 'Outta The Black' and special guests 'First Class Trash'.
'Mr. Scary' himself, George Lynch from the world-famous Dokken, came back to Vegas to rock the Vamp'd stage with the Sin City Sinners. This free show brought everyone out on a Thursday night and packed the place.
Halloween events started a little early at Vamp'd with a blowout show with the top Alice Cooper Tribute around, 'Alice in Cooperland' followed by 'Sin City KISS’. A full house rocked out to these 2 bands with everyone in costume andI even heard Sam Kinison madeanappearance!
“Vinyl Tattoo” rocked Vamp'd to a full house and brought back that distinctive sound that they are know for. Oz Fox and the boys, tore it up with some almost-forgot-about guitar solos and stage presence that is coming back from the dead with a vengeance.
InCBSNewsandinterviewswiththehostsonChannel5 FoxandChannel13KTNV.Yes,Iwouldconfidentlysay this was quite the event and was blessed by almost 300 compassionate peoplewhoattended.
thisworldweliveintherearemanybeautiful things and life experiences that bless us. However, behind the beauty of nature lurks disaster that destroys. In this world of beauty and hardship, the best thing for us as human beings to do is stick together. Wemustshowourcareandremindthosewhoareaffected by tragedy that there is hope in the hearts of manyallaroundus.That’swhat“LasVegasMusicScene Has A Heart III” did by putting together a benefit event containing outstanding bands and performers andcommunity.Creativityandartliftsusup,especially when it makes a positive difference in lives of others.
In July of 2013, Mt Charleston was hit with a raging growing wildfire that wiped out massamounts ofacreage,anditdidn’ttakelongbeforelocalsbrought togetheranideawhichultimatelyturnedintoanevent raise funds for post fire relief. This benefit was built by Las Vegas locals Nicki Hiers and Paul Cunningham, justtherightteamforthejob. Alongsidearesponsors CV Southwest Magazine, Mystic Photography, PBR Beer, Stoli, The Hideaway, Haven and Sailor Jerry. Manyphotographersgracedthefloorsincludingmedia coverage of the event recorded by Dragon FX Studios owner RJ Beaman with his video footage, Channel 8
Starting off the show was Sweet Ginger Pie. I was truly amazed by the talent of this band. The guitarist/vocals age 16, bass age 14 and drums age 21. Truly a sighttoseeandatasty earful for everyone! This amazing band wasalsoon themorning news with the hostsandIplainlysaw why. The vocals are outstanding.Thepipes on this young lady gave me goose bumps and the crowd entirely enjoyed their set as we warmed them with great applause. Excellent vocal projection, impressiverockandrollinfusedwithgreatstageperformance wrapped up with pumped up energy we all lovedtosee.
Stickman Shadow, the band was electric, their performance impressive. Whiskey Southern, holy motherofmetal!Thisfivepieceenthusiasticmetalensemble had photographers going crazy to get the best shots.Theysingofhonorandloveforourcountryand troops. Giving our country recognition through their music and lyrics it’s no doubt they definitely know how to pump up the masses. Threedom Rock graced the stage with their amazing talent brought to you by Merry Adin slapping her Steinberger with beautiful bodyartbyDarkMarc,DannyRobertandTimMendo-
loudandproudfinesseandgreatenergy.
LasVegas’smetalmasterblastersVileChildfor our hardcore screaming hearts! Smashing Alice made thebodieshitthefloorwithsomecoversfromDrowning Pool, Limp Bizkit, and Rage Against the Machine. You better believe the crowd was front and center happily screaming along. The Bones with their creepish’ skin crawling fun grooves and sick guitar licks. Simply out of this world performance. The Bones was definitely a band not to be missed! In between these sets they featured short performances and comedy shenanigans. Acoustic music by Kevin Kennedy, Brad Bailey,themostamazingMaxRico,DavidReedWatson andJoeyFucco. Aperfectwaytokeepthestageoccu-
pied while the bands loaded and unloaded quickly for the next electric talents. Closing the show was an allstar jam with musicians Joe Young and Sherri Klein, Sean McNabb, Scott Coogan, JP Michaels, and Frank DiMinobringingusthebestoftherest.
All bands gave a heartfelt shout out for Mt Charlestonandputforththeirloveandsongs.Thedonations for the raffle brought by the performers. Ap-
pearances from celebs from Pawn Stars’ Ms. Olivia Black and Bad Ink’s very own Dirk Vermin and Rob Ruckus.Allofthistwisted,twirledandwrappedbythe finest and hosted by the best. A true grand way to show love for our community. Post fire rehabilitation willbegivenandtheseedswillgrow. Abigthankyou to everyone who attended, participated, donated and stucktogethertomakeamassivepositivedifference.
Riding in Cold Weather!
As cold weather starts to roll in this season and the last red leaves fall off the trees, it's time to start thinking about what you're going to do with your motorcycle this winter. For some, winter means buying fuel stabilizer, dusting off the trickle charger, and gently snuggling their motorcycle into a warm corner of the garage. For the rest of us, winter means no change to our motorcycle riding habits except the addition of quite a bit of extra clothing!
Many of us clearly fall into the "extra clothing" category - we'll ride anything above 20 degrees (if you had heated clothing, I'm sure you’d go lower). Call us at CVWW crazy or just "thermally gifted," but riding motorcycles in the winter can be really enjoyable.
Now, you probably shouldn’t the type that loves to ride so much that Iyoull get out there and freeze your rump off just to get miles under your belt. To make winter riding enjoyable, try to be comfortable, and comfortable in the winter means warm and dry.
Staying Warm
Riding a motorcycle in cold weather comes down to one simple concept: insulation.
Since most people aren't very active on a motorcycle, their body isn't doing much to produce heat on its own to counteract the cold. That means we have to do everything we can to insulate the body in order to keep what precious heat that we do produce actually on our body, and not floating off in the cold winter air.
Insulation boils down to two things: layers (to slow the rate at which our body loses heat), and wind proofing (to keep the wind from stealing our heat).
Layers
Let's talk about layers first. Layers are critical for riding a motorcycle in the cold weather of winter. The number of layers you'll need to wear is based both on personal preference (some people naturally run a little hotter than others) and the temperature outside. Personally, when I used to ride I've worn up to four layers in really cold weather. The key is to have enough layers on that you feel comfortable (maybe even slightly warm) when you step outside and just stand in place (before you ride your motorcycle).
Remember two things
Your bottom layer should always be some type of snug fitting thermal or fleece underwear. This will create a warm layer of air between your body and this material. (Don't worry about buying the expensive wicking materials like Dri-Fit, etc. - you won't be sweating much so it won't do you much good). Don't wear so many layers that you lose mobility. If you can't hold your arms at your side because of all your clothing, than it's probably time to invest in either some warmer, or even heated, clothing.
Wind Proofing
Now, let's talk about wind proofing. The biggest issue that you will have when riding a motorcycle in the winter is keeping the wind out. Wind, spe-
cifically wind chill, is your worst enemy on a motorcycle in cold weather. Doing everything you can to stop this enemy is going to go a long way to helping you ride your motorcycle comfortably in the cold.
Wind-proofing also takes the most trial and error to perfect. It can take quite a while before you finally plug all of those air leaks!
The main thing to do for wind-proofing is to make sure your outer layer is some type of wind-proof material. Leather is by far the most popular choice for this. Ideally, you should look for something that is both wind-proof and water-proof. There are many manmade materials that meet those criteria.
Hands and Feet
You can insulate your body and legs adequately, but when the temperature really drops, everyone has the most problems with their hands and feet. Many people have a similar problem. The reason is that as you get cold your body focuses circulation on your internal organs to keep them warm, while your feet and hands get the shaft.
The only way that we've found to keep my hands and feet comfortable in really cold weather is to 1) add additional heat sources, and 2) invest in quality boots and gloves
Here are a few additional thoughts on windproofing:
Add a windshield to your motorcycle to block the wind.
While not stylish, duct tape can do wonders to seal any leaks you might have.
Wear a full face motorcycle helmet with some type of covering for your neck and head - I prefer a balaclava. Most of your heat is lost through your head so do your best to keep it warm!
Put newspaper on your chest between your outer layer and the layer underneath it - this does wonders for blocking the wind (a tip we learned from friends who race bikes).
For additional heat sources I use those airactivated hand and feet warmers that you can find in the hunting section of any Wal-Mart. Crack open a couple of these, stuff them into your boots and gloves, and your hands and feet will be toasty for 5+ hours.
Gloves
We've heard stories from people who’ve tried quite a few gloves and have found very few that really do the trick. Gloves can really be a trial and error process for motorcycle riding so make sure that you've found the right pair before embarking on your next long cold weather ride.
In looking for gloves:
Make sure that they are long enough that they completely cover the wrist (remember: windproof, wind-proof, wind-proof!)
Find a pair with a hook and loop closure system at the wrist that allows you to tighten the gloves.
Good fit - if the glove feels tight at all, get the next size up. We don't want anything to impede circulation!
Good insulation - you want the high-efficiency stuff like 3M Thinsulate, not just a bunch of fluff. Good insulation placement - most gloves only put insulation on the top. You want a pair with a little bit in the palm and other parts of the hand as well.
Pre-curved fingers - motorcycle gloves can wear you out if you're trying to squeeze that throttle all day. Pre-curved fingers alleviate this. If at all possible, try to squeeze a throttle before purchasing. Make sure the gloves don't get tight or bunch upyou'll really notice it after 30 minutes of riding.
Boots
For boots, we are strong believers that you don't have to go and buy a pair of $250+ Harley motorcycle boots to get the performance you need in cold weather. The best pair of boots that we've ever heard of cost $40 from a Wal-Mart somewhere in Missouri (Herman Survivors: Commander model). They are comfortable, waterproof, and windproof and have seen many a rider through a lot of crappy weather. The people we know who own them were so happy with them they took a picture of them in action, not the best pic but you get the idea.
The key features you want in boots are:
Fit (you don't want them to be tight because this will reduce circulation and make your feet colder)
Water-Proof. Don't even consider them if they aren't.
Above the ankle. This really helps with wind proofing.
Comfortable to walk around in. I've had motorcycle boots that made me walk like a robot from StarWars. This is not what you want!
Insulation is a nice to have, but not a must; you can get most of your insulation from putting extra socks on.
Safety
Finally, after you've got all your gear sorted out there are a couple of things you'll want to be aware of in terms of safety before getting out there in the cold: Frostbite and Hypothermia.
Exposed skin is always at risk for frostbite, so make sure you don't have any exposed skin! If you feel like your skin is being pricked by needles, frostbite is on its way and you need to do something immediately. If your skin starts to turn white or waxy and feels numb and hard you need to get immediate medical attention.
Hypothermia is a separate concern. Hypothermia is where your core body temperature drops below the minimum temperature required for your body to operate. Hypothermia causes mild confusion, sluggish behavior, poor muscle coordination, and incoherent behavior.
If you start feeling cold and can't decide if you should pull over, you are facing an early stage of hypothermia. Pull over immediately and get a hot coffee!
If you start shivering uncontrollably, feel sluggish, or even drunk, then you're in serious trouble. Hypothermia is already underway and you need to stop immediately to warm up.
Lastly, if you are going to be riding for long periods of time in cold weather or ride in REALLY cold weather, then you need to invest in heated clothing. In these situations, the body needs an alternative source of heat to keep itself warm - and heated clothing is the only way to go. Maybe we'll discuss heated clothing in a later article.
Riding in the cold weather is a relatively easy task. It's all just a matter of insulation. With a little trial and error you'll be out there on your motorcycle getting those looks of "he/she must be crazy" too!
