The (definitive article) Axemen (an mnemoir), or the slight return of M S Agro.

'Otters have died'

I remember the Axemen, the Axemen, the name (anag) passed over in the monumental and indefinitive Shute tome apart from a hemi-semi-demi-paragraph on page 340
noting in part that they were a notorious 90’s group, as well as that Bob was a leaden songwriter, and omitting the hard-won honorific ‘Little’ from McCabe’s name.

Like Calling Sir Cumference, Cumference [that would be an editorial cumference call - ed] but that’s the trouble with harry) — as the title of the book is (if the spine is to be trusted) ‘NZ Rock 1987-2007′ a group supposedly from the 90’s (I’ve added an apostrophe to allow fair use of Shute quotes) would seem to fall into the slightly left of middle of that bi-decade, and as the Axemen were both the beginning and the NZ, the
hardplace and the rock, the a-fore 1987 and the a-hind 2007, we need to examine all that’s left to find out if he’s right in leaving them somewhere out. There.

The Psychotic; Reactions; Hand-carburettors; Dung: The psychotic is almost certainly the, equal parts psychic dance-’all, Stu, my first meeting with him when I was being psychically screened for what was euphemistically termed ’session-work’ was one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve yet, or in the
future, had.

Stu screamed at me, blue neck veins standing out like drumsticks in Gracelands, ‘Just play the fucking E, string, nothing else, don’t fucking watch the others, if you do you’re dead. Otters have died’ As I was
auditioning for drums the instructions were difficult to follow. He threw me off the kit, and started drumming ‘in constipated fashion’ to show me what he envisag’d that the otters would want.

A fuzztoned whale

‘Hey!’ said one voice, that I would later find out was Bob, ‘that’s it, the missing link’. I thought he was referring to my admittedly simian visage, but looking up I percieved that he was looking up and looking up also, the quiet one, McCabe.

They stopped playing their guitars, but the noise from the amplifiers sounded exactly the same. Like fuzztoned whales. Being chased by Japanese scientists for their own good. Through a wah-wah.

Can you play bass. can. you. Play. bass? McCabe asked Bob. Brannigan said to Steve ‘Stuart can’ McCabe walked over to Page who hinted to Cardy that Kowawski was unable toplay.

How many of them were there. I pulled out my fingers and counted.
Still three, but the fastest moving three that I ever saw. A pre-blur blur.

Micks fingers - part of the reason he is such a legendary bass player and cant count like others

‘We need an unthinking person to play ploddy lines and not ask questions about structural niceties’ McCabe mused. I put up my hand, actually for persimmon to leave the room, but they garbed the wrong end of the schtick. ‘You’ll do’ said
the psychotic, psychotically. ‘I will?’ said I. ‘It’s I do. Do it’ said Bob and thus I was initiated. The last two words being the mot secret tattooed on me. A fact later regretted when I served time. It could have been worse, I
might have been trying to join the scouts, or the salvation army.

Reactions: I was never a catalyst, accelerant, oxidiser, or agent of reduction, purely the litmus paper that turned bluish if there was enough bass. The notes
didn’t come easily. ‘0 - 0 - 5 - 7 - 0 - 3′ yelled McCabe over Brannigan’s bagpipes. I played ‘0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 - 0′. ‘Stay away from the A string, it’s dangerous, McCabe mentored. ‘And D and whatever the little one is’ Bob added.
I was gradually twomentored into submission. Rather than learn to avoid strings I sellotaped everything but the big one to the neck of my double-bass. Then I found it was easier just to ‘break’ them before, or immediately during, playing. Soon I was ‘0 - 12 - 0 - 12 - 23 - 2 - 5”ing with the others. But far less erotically, far more eratically.

We played, people left, we stopped, they came back, we played the second set, they left again but when we stopped they didn’t come back. Bob started incorporating sudden stops into songs, hoping that if there was a pause the not-quite-audience would get whether they were coming or going confused and

head the wrong way and hear us when they were trying not to. This became a nightmare. ‘You’re quite a good reggae bass player’ Roger Sheppard said once. ‘I like the way that you never actually play with the drums or guitars but are always a step ahead of, or behind them, and the way the bass carries on when all else is silent’ I hung my head, a good luck charm given to me by McCabe.

If the head is swingin dont bother ringin

‘Watch the head, if it’s swinging we’re playing’ he wrote down for me. He was right. not Al Right, but the advice helped. Some. But not me.

We played on a balcony at a party at someone’s parent’s house with Scab Union in the middle of the afternoon, a small suburb within a suburb. One of the people listening offered me a cup of warm lemon juice. Success at last. In earlier days there’d have been a quick shout of Gardy-Loo, rather than this kind of
shout. I felt we were progressing. ‘We’re not progressive’ Stu muttered [to be fair, he'd spent the morning listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer and was in a particularly bad mood - ed].

* Stu does it telepathically* - bumper sticker, 1987

I’d forgotten International Stu’s telepathic powers and the fact that his deafness carried over to them. ‘You’re thinking you’ve forgotten my telepathic towels’ he taunted. There was no escape. The neighbouring residents, still anonymous, but probably influenced by the sonic vibes reverberating their unknown bones,
agreed.

When I was plunking the E I thought back to my first encounter with McCabe, sneaking into EMI on Colombo Street, to put his cassettes into the album bins.
“You’ll really like the Gorillas’ Robyn assured me, as McCabe sneakily sneaked around in his sneakers, squeakily shreiking, and sheepishly bleating.
‘Grillers?’ I asked. Robyne pulled the recording tape out of the album racks, Little Stevie had finally worked it out, put the tapes in covers too big for anything but the record bins, and because the integrity of the other records required they be kept flat the tape had to be at the front. ‘Boy eats girl’ I read. There was a beautifully and simply draw diagram of a boy and girl together, the girl however had been covered in dotted lines of the type used in cookbooks to indicate cuts of meat. ‘The music’s a bit like that’ Robyne said.
I looked dubiously at the cover and the other Gorilla releases in the shop, a rare Pete and the Pigeons tape nestled up to SPC Eh?, and I guess in Dunedin similar scenes were taking place with regard to Glyph Richard. Where similar beauteous shop assistants assisted prospective record purchasers.

Bertie Germ, Dick Weir on 3ZB

‘Can I hear a bit of this here Gorilla band’ I asked. McCabe, still in sneakers, winced, many a sale had been lost at this point. ” ‘Bertie Germ can’t die’ is probably the best introduction” said McCabe’s confederate and so I heard McCabe for the first time.

‘It’s not much like the Stranglers’ I commented. ‘Sssshhhh!’ they both said. I haven’t spoken since. I left penniless, but Penny never really liked me anyway. I ws clutching a limited release extra cassette by Salli Rog and the Tokin’Blacks. Shrubbery Dub. This as well as anything Robyne had been passed by Steve in the last month. McCabe  left rubbing his hands, off to buy coffee beans, and climb the winestalk.

In the same omniverse…

A flock of seagulls

Brannigan, now there’s a name to conjure with, half braggart, half harridan, half Finnegan, but always awake. An astronomer to the stars by trade. As most do I first encountered him playing guitar. ‘Can you nae put a small token of your appreciation into my well worn hat?’ he asked as he played everything Van Morrison had written to that date in a rapid unmuddled medley.

I nodded dumbly and dropped a duplicate copy of Shrubbery dub into his hat. ‘Money, none of that damned plastic, and I don’t take EFTPos or play chess’ he said sternly. I ran, as a flock of seagulls descended on the white haired fellow in the square. He ran after me, breaking windows as he struggled to catch up. There was to be no gain without breaking panes. Suddenly The Police rescued me. It was a Sting operation. I never saw Brannigan after that until the initiation. He was led off in cuffs, a collar, and the top hat. Otherwise naked, but stylish.

All this time Kowawski was in his own underground band, Above-Ground, determinedly subteranean in their refusal to sink to the level of most other bands in Christchurch. (notabene: A quick glance at Youtube will show you that the other important bands in this period in Christchurch were Maiden China and the White Boys, both of whom went on to be household names). The Above-Ground story and the’Gone Aiwa’ cassette are freely available on ebay, although freely in this case means you’ll be parting with $100 or so. That’s enough to get you into 20 Axemin gigs at 1980 prices. And at 2008 prices.

Then there was the second gig, but that’s another story, as was my sudden expulsion from the band because I had no sense of humour and started playing the A string rather than the ever increasing 24’s, the subsequent formations, the inclusion of women in the front line, the Peace Aotearoa gig which resulted
in riots and war, but always the same number of people in the audience, the faces constantly changing, although those of us who returned again and again to watch swore we could never let anything like this happen again.

Damn, no matter what I took I could nae work hand-carburettors or dung into this, although both feature prominently in other Axemen History which never repeats, only ripples. That must be the required 250 words, which are worth at least a quart or a pitcher. Can I stop now? Is anyone there? Is this the
real life or just fantasy? I can’t go on, I’ll go on Ill, The Horror, The Horror. Ice cream in cones across this guy. A way a lone a last a love a long A xemin.

Con questa frase che in giapponese significa “è tanto tempo che non ci vediamo”, riprendo ad aggiornare provando a ritrovare regolarità sul blog dopo tanto tempo. Tra fatti, misfatti, esperienze e viaggi vari ho davvero un bel po’ arretrati da raccontare, sumimasen (scusate)! Per fortuna ho già pronte tante belle foto che mi aiuteranno a scrivere.

Oggi, internet e lonely planet alla mano, ho abbozzato un itinerario di viaggio nella regione del Kansai, da fare con Daniela durante le vacanze di Natale! Grazie a Marco che mi ha prestato il computer (il mio è ancora in assistenza, forse ancora per poco), e al corso di giapponese che finalmente comincia a dare soddisfazioni! Sono riuscito a prenotare telefonicamente gli alberghi, senza usare una parola di inglese!

Domani mattina andiamo a visitare Nikko in giornata insieme ad alcuni giapponesi. Ci ha invitato Ichiro, un nostro amico che abbiamo conosciuto a Settembre che parla anche italiano.

Nella (lunga) attesa di raccontarvi di viaggi fatti, e futuri, riprendo il discorso dalla giornata di oggi in cui ho avuto una piacevole sorpresa! Ma andiamo per ordine…

La settimana scorsa, ho finalmente comprato un tavolo e due sedie usati ma in ottime condizioni… non ce la facevo più con quella specie di tavolinetto da caffè nano… Finalmente potrò studiare e mangiare come si deve anche a casa anzichè cercare sempre rifugio nei cafè o nei mac! Fortunatamente a neanche 200mt da casa mia c’è un “Recycle shop” dove ho fatto questo affare e dove potrò rivendere il tutto a fine anno.

New entry n.1: il tavolo!

A pochi metri da quel negozio c’è un studio musicale, con un paio di sale prove, e sono entrato per chiedere dove poter comprare un basso di seconda mano o comunque a poco prezzo.

[ Piccola premessa... in estate, ho pensato di iniziare a suonare il basso elettrico, strumento che da sempre avrei voluto imparare. Così durante l'anno in Giappone avrei potuto continuare a suonare qualcosa, visto che comprare e tenere in casa una tastiera seria sarebbe stato abbastanza complicato... E secondo me, avrei avuto a disposizione un bel po' di tempo libero, cosa che invece qui scarseggia sempre più col passare dei mesi L'intenzione era quella di cercare un basso di seconda mano o di prenderne uno non troppo esigente, magari di quegli starter kit per principianti... l'altroieri sono pure stato a fare un giro per farmi un'idea al music district di Ochanomizu (strada piena di negozi di musica e strumenti, 90% chitarre... paradiso per i chitarristi!), e mi avevano anche detto che avrei potuto rivenderlo fra un anno e recuperare almeno metà prezzo. ]

Così, oltre a farmi dare indicazioni, gli ho lasciato il mio numero di telefono chiedendoli di avvisarmi se avessero saputo di qualche occasione.
La sorpresa di oggi riguarda proprio questo! Pomeriggio ricevo una telefonata, anche questa tutta in giapponese eccezion fatta per “… bass guitar!… present for you”!! Incredibbbbile!

New entry n.2: bass guitar!

Uno dei ragazzi che lavora lì aveva un basso che non usava più e me l’ha regalato! Si è anche scusato di non avere la custodia… ma figuriamoci! Immaginate il mio imbarazzo nel ricevere questo regalo inaspettato! Grazie a Shou dello “Wild Flower Studio”! Troverò il modo per ringraziarlo appena possibile!

Il basso non è di marca, ma è perfetto per iniziare. E’ un basso a 4 cord “Legend”, marca sconosciuta che mi sembra di aver visto tra quegli starter kit di cui parlavo prima in dei negozi o su internet, e sembra in ottime condizioni! Le corde sembrano un po’ lente, ma probabilmente hanno bisogno semplicemente di essere accordate. Non vedo l’ora di comprare un jack e riavere il mio mac per provarlo!

Giuseppe-san, ganbatteeeee!!!!!!!!

Bassmasters on ESPN!

Since buying Darby I’ve become a morning person and today we were up at 7:30. Perfect timing! Now, some folks do Saturday morning cartoons but when I saw some fisherman on the Bassmaster’s Elite tourney pull in two lunkers on the same lure, I was HOOKED. HAHAHA….haha…ha… ok…

Ok so I couldn’t find the actual footage I saw this morning, but I did find two rednecks in a boat who did the same thing, catch two fish on the same lure. In fact this footage is better only because of their commentary.

“I love this shheeiiit”

I been really enjoying the playing my bass but have trouble logging all the songs I learn. This is the site for me to post everything. For week #1 I plan on learning 4 new songs. Woot!

Fem år innan han i allmänhetens ögon blev ett one-hit-wonder levererade Sir Mix-A-Lot denna pärla. Synd bara att det skulle ta hiphopen nästan 20 år innan hiphopvärlden insåg vilken sprängkraft som textraden “because the 808 kick drum makes the girlies get dumb” innehöll.

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING DUFF MCKAGAN–BASSIST FOR VELVET REVOLVER

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Duff McKagan.  Duff is the legendary bassist for the band Velvet Revolver.  Duff’s raw punk approach and melodic riff’s lay the foundation for some of the most influential songs of all time.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and KoRn– provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Duff gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Slither” released in 2004 and “Set Me Free” released in 2003; then jams the tracks with Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins.  

The DVD also includes exclusive VideoTab™, which shows exactly how Duff plays the two tracks. The video-game-style animated tablature is similar to GuitarHero®, except shows how to play the tracks for real.

“Hopefully, this DVD will let you in on just a small portion of the enjoyment I have been given by those before me” said Duff,  “Don’t ever let someone tell you what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in music…let it flow”.

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com. 

For more information on Velvet Revolver, visit velvetrevolver.com and MySpace.com/velvetrevolver

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING FIELDY – BASSIST FOR KORN

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Reginald “Fieldy/Reggie” Arvizu.  Fieldy is the ground-breaking lead guitarist for the two-time Grammy® Award winning band KoRn.  His massive dropped-down sound and unrivaled technique has woofers rattling car windows around the world.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Fieldy gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Freak on a Leash” released in 1999 and “Got The Life” released in 1998; then jams the tracks with Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins.  

The DVD also includes exclusive VideoTab™, which shows exactly how Fieldy plays the two tracks. The video-game-style animated tablature is similar to GuitarHero®, except shows how to play the tracks for real.

“These DVDs are sick! What a great and interactive way to learn how to play your favorite songs!” said Fieldy.

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn guitarist Munky; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com. 

For more information on KoRn, visit Korn.com, MySpace.com/KoRn, Youtube.com/KoRnChannel

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING TOMMY CLUFETOS – THE DRUMMER FOR ROB ZOMBIE

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Tommy Clufetos; the hard-hitting drummer for Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper and currently Rob Zombie. 

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Tommy gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Lords of Salem” and “American Witch”; then jams the tracks with Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 and Ozzy Osbourne bassist Blasko .  

“The Behind the Player DVD’s are the ULTIMATE tool to INSPIRE music to be played–after you watch one you want to pick up your instrument & go jam!!– REAL guys playing  REAL rock & roll tunes!! –absolutely KILLER!” said Tommy Clufetos.

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Munky, guitarist for KoRn ; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com. 

For more information on Rob Zombie, visit RobZombie.com and MySpace.com/robzombie

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING PAUL GRAY – THE BASSIST FOR SLIPKNOT

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Paul Gray.  Paul is the ground-breaking lead guitarist for the six-time Grammy® nominated heavy metal band Slipknot.  Paul’s crushing technique and songwriting skills have made him one of metal’s most influential bass players.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, KoRn, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Paul gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play the Grammy ® nominated song “Duality” and “Surfacing”; then jams the tracks with Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga.  

The DVD also includes exclusive VideoTab™, which shows exactly how Paul plays the two tracks. The video-game-style animated tablature is similar to GuitarHero®, except shows how to play the tracks for real.

“The VideoTab is amazing!” said Paul Gray. “It’s like a Guitar Hero but actually shows you how to play the tracks!”

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com

For more information on Slipknot, visit slipknot1.com, MySpace.com/slipknot1

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING SHANNON LARKIN – THE DRUMMER FOR GODSMACK

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Shannon Larkin, the drummer of the three-time Grammy® nominated rock band, Godsmack.  Shannon’s distinct approach to drumming and his ballistic stage presence have made him a dominant force in arenas and in the studio.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Shannon gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Straight Out of Line” released in 2993 and “Voodoo” released in 1999; then jams the tracks with Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill.   

“I’ve been approached for many years to make an instructional DVD, but have always refused because I’ve never felt it would be fresh or different from the norm. But with this series, I really felt like, “wow, I wish my favorite players had done this when I was a kid learning how to play!” Behind The Player DVD’s have hit the mark dead center with a comprehensive collection for players of all different styles and instruments that leaves the viewer not only understanding how to play their favorite songs, but also with the feeling they’ve received a personal lesson and learned a lot about their mentor’s inside philosophy and approach to their instrument” said Shannon Larkin. “A must have for any fan!”

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com

For more information on Godsmack, visit Godsmack.com, MySpace.com/godsmack

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING MUNKY – THE LEAD GUITARIST FOR KORN

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring James ‘Munky’ Shaffer.  Munky is the ground-breaking lead guitarist for the two-time Grammy® Award winning band KoRn.  Munky’s crushing dissonant sound has made him a guitar hero to millions worldwide.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Munky gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Blind” released in 1995 and “Falling Away From Me” released in 1999; then jams the tracks with KoRn drummer Ray Luzier.  

The DVD also includes exclusive VideoTab™, which shows exactly how Munky plays the two tracks. The video-game-style animated tablature is similar to GuitarHero®, except shows how to play the tracks for real.

“These IMV DVDs are a great way to learn your favorite tracks,” said KoRn guitarist Munky, “I wish there was something like it around when I was a kid.”

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com  

For more information on KoRn, visit Korn.com, MySpace.com/KoRn, Youtube.com/KoRnChannel

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

 ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

CONTACT: SASHA MAYER
Public Relations Coordinator
P: (800) 406-7068
F: (323) 386-0886
sasha(at)revelinstudios.com
http://www.behindtheplayer.com/

Fericire maxima, fluturi in stomac si planuri de viitor. Asta traieste in prezent Nicola, cantareata a carei cariera muzicala, dupa cum spun gurile rele, ar fi trebuit sa ia sfarsit dupa inghetarea colaborarii cu Mihai Alexandru. Insa, de cateva luni, de cand Nicola s-a decis sa revina puternic in muzica si a inceput sa inregistreze un nou album, se pare ca toate ii merg din plin. Intamplator sau nu, in aceasta perioada a aparut noul ei iubit, Sebestyen Joosander, pentru care, dupa cum spun carcotasii, l-a parasit pe Andrei Stanoevici. Sebi, cum il alinta Nicola este un ungur dragut si este, culmea, tot muzician, mai exact canta la chitara bass. “Suntem impreuna de patru luni si ne intelegem foarte bine, mai ales ca lucram amandoi in muzica. El este de nationalitate ungur, la fel ca si cei patru intrumentisti ai mei. Nu exista nicio legatura intre ei, poate doar limba in care comunica. Cat despre noi, cand nu este in tara, ca si acum, comunicam mai mult prin sms si pe computer. Vorbim romaneste…dar stricat”, ne-a declarat Nicola.
Deoarece bandul a fost ales de ea in urma unei selectii riguroase, solista declara ca nu se considera… sub dominatie ungara. Ba mai mult, spune ca ii merge din plin de cand lucreaza cu acestia. Recent, cantareata a terminat inregistrarile la cel mai recent album al sau, iar zilele viitoare va filma videoclipul piesei care va fi promovata pe posturile de specialitate.

Nicola sustine ca va relua colaborarea cu Mihai Alexandru, cel alaturi de care si a cunoscut succesul in muzica. “Nu e nimic socant in informatia asta. Am discutat deja cu el si pentru binele amandorura, cat de curand, este posibil sa reluam colaborarea. Si nu este exclus ca, intr-o zi, sa ne vedeti luand cina toti patru impreuna. La noi au existat discutii si mai exista si acum, dar in interesul copiilor nostri. Pentru ei am gasit o cale de comunicare si tocmai de aceea, cand am probleme sau plec in tara, la concerte, apelez tot la Mihai”.

Sumesh Parameswar (Guitar) & Jayen Varma (Slap Bass) (with Deepak Varma) are here to rock your face off.

Well firstly, I’m sorry for the lack of posts. I’ve been quite busy with school and the band. Anyhow, we’re still looking for a bass player and damn I noticed something during my search for one. I noticed that far too many people play the guitar. The bass:guitar ratio is deeply messed up. There’s probably 100 guitarists for every bassist out there…

All the wannabe musicians seem to natural gravitate to the guitar. I blame Guitar Hero for this. Bass is such an awesome instrument, but the electric guitar just has more “marketing power” or something…

Agh…I wish more people would play the bass. Or…I could clone myself and have one of me play the guitar and one of me play the bass… Sounds like a plan…

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING JOHN 5 – THE LEAD GUITARIST FOR ROB ZOMBIE

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Rob Zombie guitarist, John 5.  John 5 has played with great artists including: Marilyn Manson, K.D. Lang and David Lee Roth and his virtuoso talents span many styles, from bluegrass to heavy metal.

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, John 5 gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Let It All Bleed Out” and “Lords of Salem”; then jams the tracks with Rob Zombie drummer Tommy Clufetos.  

The DVD also includes exclusive VideoTab™, which shows exactly how John 5 plays the two tracks. The video-game-style animated tablature is similar to GuitarHero®, except shows how to play the tracks for real.

“This IMV video is an incredible & easy way to learn songs from your favorite artist!” said John 5, “ I wish I had something like this when I was first starting out.”

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: Munky, guitarist for KoRn;  Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindThePlayer.com 

For more information on John 5, visit john-5.com, MySpace.com/john5official

The producers of the IMV series donate $0.25 from the sale of each DVD to Little Kids Rock, a charity that gets instruments into the hands of underprivileged kids. For more information on Little Kids Rock, visit littlekidsrock.org.

ABOUT IMV LLC

IMV LLC is a Los Angeles based interactive music company focused on developing innovative content and video game systems designed to inspire people to play music.  Founded in 2007 by Ken Mayer and Sean E DeMott, the company is aligned with some of the biggest names in the music business.  A portion of the proceeds generated from IMV products is donated to Little Kids Rock, an organization that gets instruments in the hands of underprivileged kids.

IMV RELEASES NEW “BEHIND THE PLAYER” DVD

FEATURING STEPHEN PERKINS – DRUMMER FOR JANE’S ADDICTION

LOS ANGELES, CA — November 18, 2008 — IMV LLC announces the release of a new Interactive Music Video featuring Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins; a much in-demand session drummer (lending his talents to albums by Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Rage Against the Machine, No Doubt, Nine Inch Nails, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers).  Stephen’s hard-driving tribal approach to drumming and percussion has solidified his position as one of today’s landmark musicians. 

The IMV: Behind the Player DVD series — which features personal music lessons from members of some of the world’s most influential bands like Godsmack, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Atreyu and Velvet Revolver — provides music fans with an exciting new way to learn their to play favorite songs: right from the artists that recorded them.

In his IMV: Behind the Player DVD, Stephen gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician – including rare photos and video footage.  He gives in-depth lessons for how to play “Been Caught Stealing” and “Mountain Song” by Jane’s Addiction and “Pets” by Porno for Pyros; then jams the tracks with Slipknot bassist Paul Gray.  

“[…] We break it down, our music, our song, our approach. We dissect our part piece by piece.

This gives the student all angles in helping to absorb the info. IN ALL, it rocks!!” said drummer Stephen Perkins.

IMV: Behind the Player DVD series is currently available at local and national music retail outlets, including all Guitar Center locations or online at BehindThePlayer.com.

Other titles currently available include: John 5, guitarist for Rob Zombie and formerly Marilyn Manson; Tim Skold, former guitarist and bassist for Marilyn Manson and KMFDM; Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan; Mike Inez, bassist for Alice in Chains and formerly Ozzy Osbourne; KoRn bassist Fieldy; Slipknot bassist Paul Gray; Blasko, bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and formally Rob Zombie; Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill; Tommy Clufetos, drummer for Rob Zombie; Munky, guitarist for KoRn; and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin.  Several new IMV: Behind the Player titles are slated for release later this year, including Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs and guitar legend George Lynch.

To check out the entire selection of IMV: Behind the Player titles, view trailers and purchase your favorite titles, visit BehindTh