He is an awesome rock /metal drummer
He rocked the world drumming for Guardian. He toured the world he showed he has what it takes. I was blessed to see them rock live in Dallas TX. Let me introduce to you metal/rock masher Rikk Hart !! Metal Soldiers: Rikk what are you currently up to musically? Rikk: Thank you for the questions. I'm currently in prayer first and foremost! I've been playing on my new set of roland vdrums to old Rush albums as well as the new Stryper record. I've been practicing more seriously the last several weeks. Really, I'm getting back to my early roots of playing and it's been a great experience for me. I'm also working on adding new things to my drum tool box (as Neil Peart would say)... Metal Soldiers: Who influenced your style of drumming? Rikk: Neil Peart and Alex Van Halen. Metal Soldiers: What was your favorite drum Kit? Rikk: I'd have to say my custom made Red "Tama" extended length drum set that I used for the First Watch album and tour. It reminded me so much of Neil Peart's 80s Tama drum set with red drum heads. Metal Soldiers: The 80’s seem like a life time ago. What do you think of the current music scene? Rikk: I'm partial to the 80s. So much good stuff back then. I think Stryper's new record is remarkable. Other than that, I haven't heard anything recently that I've been excited about. I'm seeing renewed interest out there in some of the old stuff because it's good....I'm praying God will move people to get back in the saddle as Stryper has done and make fresh material. Metal Soldiers: Going back to 1985 Guardian got signed to Enigma Records. How did it change your life? Rikk: Well, it was a boyhood dream come true for me. I was finally going to do it for real. My whole life leading up to that was music. I was still in diapers back in the mid-sixties and I was putting in the Beatles Sgt. Peppers 8 track in the neighbors 1967 Buick Riviera. I'd sit there as long as they let me and listen to that tape. I was buying Jackson 5 records at Kmart and singing to MJ when they first hit the stores. It was my life. So getting that contract made it all seem real and started me on that journey of being a professional Musician. Metal Soldiers: Did you tour with other bands? Rikk: We did not. We crossed paths with Barron Cross in Oklahoma but that was it. Our tour manager had arranged for opening bands for us but we were out there headlining the shows. We were pretty much on our own out there. Metal Soldiers: Being a pro did you have endorsements? Rikk: I was fortunate that way. God opened up so many doors for me. I had a deal with Tama drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth drum sticks and Latin Percussion. Latin Percussion even had these great black leather gloves that I used for years during my time in Guardian. Metal Soldiers: Being a Christian and a rock star was there temptations on the road? Rikk: For me... No. I was actually to be honest, struggling with anxiety issues. That was my main challenge. This was something people didn't really talk about back then. Either were panic attacks. And those challenges contributed to me walking away from Guardian after we finished the tour. I'm glad people are finally talking about it these days. Its a very real issue for some people. Other than that, I just loved meeting so many wonderful people out there and playing for the Lord. I miss it. And I pray perhaps God will give me just one more chance to serve him in that capacity again. One thing I know to be true is this, God is in the business of second chances. Metal Soldiers: What was it like working with Oz Fox as a producer? RIKK: Oz was such a dear man. He gave so much to us in so many ways. As far as working with Oz Fox, he was a hard driver. He was a perfectionist. And he worked me/the band hard. Night after night to the click track. He was so enthusiastic! He was our cheerleader. When I cut my tracks at Sound City, he wanted perfection. One single feather of a stick hit that wasn't exactly on the click or if a section didn't have the right "feel" it was... Do it again..... That was Oz....He was funny, he was real, he was humble and yet every bit a rock star, he was for us 1000%. And when I think about it, it's hard to describe what it meant for me to have this dear man cheer me on in the studio. Oz made it such a wonderful experience all the way around. Metal Soldiers: 4 years late in 1989 what caused you to leave the band? Rikk: It truly was a combination of so many factors. My father left me when I was 4 years old. I had just reconnected with him in Florida while on tour. That brought up a lot of unresolved hurt in me. I was struggling with serious anxiety and panic attacks. Its something people didn't know much about then and didn't really talk about. I had a lot of emotional issues I was struggling with at that time in my life and it made touring very difficult for me. I was honestly convinced I was dying because I had always been so healthy. So due to all of these factors, I walked away from my brothers in the band I loved so much. A decision I've regretted for decades. Music has always been my passion and I pray God will give me another shot to share that passion with people again. Metal Soldiers: What was life after Guardian? Rikk: Some good. Some bad. I spent 25 years in the Corporate world with a white shirt and tie sitting behind a desk as a Senior Real Estate manager in Orange County, CA. I had climbed the ladder to some degree but inside I knew I was a fish out of water. I've learned the hard way that you MUST trust God. He knows what He's doing. You must use your gift that God has given you to serve others. Whatever that might be. Taking a left turn like I did in leaving the band, will only end up in a plan b. I have paid dearly in my life in many ways for that decision. It's only when you get older, you understand the gravity of God's plan for your life. The message I've been hearing as I've watched several pastor's online is... with God, ALL things are possible and it's never ever too late for God to finish the work he started in you so long ago. Let me encourage people that if you've given up on something you knew God gifted you to do in your youth, take heart, trust Him and He will finish the work he started in you. Let God stir up your faith and get after it! Metal Soldiers: Is there any chance you may rejoin forces with Paul Cawley? Rikk: Yes. I believe God is at work in our lives and God is doing a "new thing" in not only our lives but also in some of the other members as well. And that's where it all began back in 1984 when I joined Paul Cawley and David Bach in that studio in Santa Ana, Ca next to the railroad tracks. We loved the Lord, had a passion for music and had a dream to serve him with our gift. Same holds true today. If God brings the people and provides the means, just like he did so long ago, we'll see what God has in store for me and my old friends.... Metal Soldiers: Who are some of your favorite bands? Rikk: Rush. Van Halen. Peter Frampton. Michael Jackson. Tears for Fears. Seal. The Guess Who. Astrud Gilberto. Stryper. Stevie Wonder. Elton John. Beatles. The Doors. Early Chicago. Ratt. Led Zeppelin. Beach Boys. Frank Sinatra. Simon and Garfunkel. Metal Soldiers Thank you for the great music. What do you want to say to the fans? Rikk: Seek the Lord always. Follow God's will for your life. I have learned that there is no better place in this world than to be in God's will. Nothing this world offers comes close. When you are in His will, you know it and it's a feeling hard to express. Let me encourage you to go after that dream God has put in your heart. It's never too late for the children of the Lord. Never. Take God up on his offer to direct your path and you will see, many lives will be touched with God's love. 
Flash Back 2012 M.O.R
Majesty Of Revival 2012 · Is a Classical / Metal / Rock band that will rock your world. From the Ukraine they master there instruments/ weapons as they prepare to take over the world. Majesty Of Revival will be released on the world with Metal Doll Records Taste of Metal 2 cd due out April 2012 Metal Soldiers- Your band is incredible. How are you not signed to a major label? M.O.R – Hi! Thanks for the nice words about our music. In fact we started to search the labels recently. We were in work about it untill this time. Our first E.P. «Meaning of Life» was out in august 2011 and attracted the attention of it. But we've been stayed work about the album's material. Nowadays we have the proposals of a several labels for release our debut album. Metal Soldiers- What is the band currently up to? M.O.R — Nowadays the band is finishing the recording debut album. The selection of the label wich will publish the album is cooming soon. In October 2011 we had some changes in a band — we've changed the vocalist and keyboard-player. In the same month we've started the recording the album. Perhaps, after the release of the first album we planning give many live-shows. Almost everyone in our band have their own music projects\bands wich also planed to publish their releases in future. Metal Soldiers - Have you opened for any big acts? M.O.R – No. MOR had never opened for big acts for today. Metal Soldiers – What influenced you sound? M.O.R — MOR was influenced to a metal band's as Symphony x, Time Requiem, Rhapsody, Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stratovarius, UDO, Annihilator; classical composers like Beethoven, Bach, Scarlatti, Pahelbel, Mozart etc ; fusion/jazz music. Metal Soldiers – What is the metal scene like in the Ukraine? M.O.R -- Today Ukraine have a many good bands and musicians, but unfortunately they don't have serious intentions to build a musical career, as we plan. Of course there are lot of band's who nevertheless have serious intentions! They are known far beyond the borders of Ukraine - Sunrise, Morton and others... Metal Soldiers – Your band is great and you deserve big success/ What do you want to say to our reads? M.O.R – Thank you for the nice compliment!!! :) We hope our fans will like the first M.O.R. album! I'm very grateful to the people who send us positive feedback that I often to the my e-mail. Metal Soldiers Magazine — Thanks for your interest! Very nice questions! Keep Rockin' & Stay Heavy! 
Flash Back 05/31/06
Timothy Gaines
Here is the master blaster. The Four string trooper of Stormer! The bass master that attacked the metal world in 1983 With the Yellow and Black Attack. Millions of bass players watched him In Live In Japan just to see his playing. Slapping and popping, playing cord legions of bass players saluted the might Timothy Gaines / Hagelganz! MS: Timothy we are excited about getting more of you awesome bass playing. Is there a current music project? TG: I have several projects in the works. I am writing songs for my second solo album, and I am in three different band projects that we will be seeing in 2018 and 2019. MS: You have the name, knowledge, ability, contacts and you’re unstoppable. Is there another permanent band in the works? TG: I am open to playing with as many different groups as time permits. But at the moment, nothing permanent. I’ve been working with a group of musicians here in Phoenix since July of 17. We call ourselves Sons Of Metal. We are made up of members of various bands from the 80s. Hope to make our debut sometime this year. I also have 2 album project bands that will have releases this year too. Of Gods & Monsters, and another followup album by Faithsedge. MS: Your true last name Hagelganz is German and very powerful sounding. I think it could make a great band name and give you a fresh start. What do you think? TG: My siblings & cousins have all said that in the past too. We have all joked about it. I have thought about it but I am 55 years old now. I don’t really see any reason to change it now, especially if I do a jazz album. Ha Ha. *Note imagine the name Hagelganz with an army tank crushing skulls and lightning bolt flashing for a cd cover!) MS: True fans know you’re a true musician and it’s been in your family for generations. You’re open to different style of music. You’re a fan of Elton John. What style of music will your feature band play? TG: I do play different genres of music but the stuff I am coming up with lately is very riff rock oriented.. ala Hendrix, Mahogany Rush, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer… bluesy, riffy. Power trio band. MS: Imagine your Doctor Frankenstein building you monster band. Who would be the Drums- Guitar- Vocals- TG: Tough question. So many great players to choose from and I am playing with many of them right now in my three new bands. So lets try Drums - Matt Starr, Guitar - Steve Conley, and vocals - John Corabi. I think the four of us could make a really great band that is different from the norm. I play with Matt in Faithsedge , and I play with Steve in Sons Of Metal. Corabi has sat in with Stryper several times and I always liked his powerful voice and look. MS: You have played many basses over the years. Sting Rays , Aria Pro, and also Overture Guitars released the Signature TG bass. What has been your all-time favorite 4 string axe to play live? TG: Anything that Leo Fender designed… that includes P basses, Jazz basses, Musicman Stingrays, and G&L L2000. At the moment my favorite is the L2000 but that can change depending on the band or style of music. Apart from my Overture signature basses that I played for the last 5 years, my main live Stryper bass was a Status Graphite Series 2000. With the new band Sons Of Metal I’ve been using the G&L mostly. MS: We just had a great idea! Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P has changed his way. It could be a great way to launch your new band. What do you think about Hagelganz opening for W.A.S.P? TG: I wouldn’t be opposed to it. MS: At times in our life we all had heroes who is someone who influenced you? TG: My old guitarist from Stormer - Donny Simmons. MS: We at Metal Solider wish you nothing but the best. What do you want to say to your fans? TG: Thank you. And to my fans I want to say thank you for standing by me through thick and thin. You guys rock! 
GFM is 3-piece Rock/Metal band made of 3 sisters who are true Metal Maidens. The music is powerful and heavy. Death metal vocals with great 80's backup vocals. Drummer Lu Lu is the modern-day female Tommy Lee. These young ladies play their instrument with perfection. The truth for me is there hasn’t been any band that have caught me since the 80s, BUT GFM is cool and really caught my attention. So, we want to introduce to GFM CJ -Guitar/ Vox / Maggie Bass/Vox / Lu Lu Drums/Vox .
MS: GFM fist we give up a big thumbs up because you rock it hard. We want everyone to know about you. Give us some history on the band and let us know is replying. GFM: Hi! We all like to answer these types of interviews. We are GFM. That stands for Gold Frankincense & Myrrh. We are a beautycore band made up of three sisters. We’ve grown up playing music together, and we started touring in 2017. When we were 5, our parents said we had to take piano lessons, but if we hated it, we could quit after 2 years. CJ ended up wanting to play the guitar more than piano, Maggie stuck with piano, and LuLu didn’t even start with piano because she wanted to play drums. When Maggie turned 8, she started playing the bass as well. We were introduced to Welcome to Rockville in 2014 by The Music Experience, and seeing those performances helped us see where we wanted to take GFM. MS: Your look has touches of a modern Kiss and Motley and a splash of glam. How did you come up with the cool look? GFM: Well, we wear cheerleading uniforms on stage. We're all still school age, so our mom suggested that we wear the uniforms as a stage costume, that way we could be the cheerleaders for our fans. They already call themselves Team GFM, so it worked out perfectly. We love mixing both bright colors and dark colors together, which helps us stand out so much in the modern metal world. We really like playing up that we’re an all-girl band. MS: Who are some of the bands that you have opened for? GFM: We’ve played at festivals with bands like A Day to Remember, Disturbed, Halestorm, and Motionless in White, and we’ve opened for bands like Drowning Pool, Memphis May Fire, and Lacey Sturm. MS: Who are some of the bands that influence your music style? GFM: We try to pull influences from everything we listen to. We really like the stage presence of bands like Butcher Babies and Fever 333, we like melody content from bands like Paramore and Lacey Sturm, and we pull instrumental inspiration from bands like A Day to Remember. MS: You have a positive message in your songs. What influences your lyrics? GFM: Everyday life really. We write about things we’re struggling with. We write about our fans, and the stories we’ve heard over and over again that need to be told. We write about overcoming those trials and being stronger on the other side. MS: Odd question for you lady’s. The hand gesture used as Heavy Metal salute called devil horns was started my Anton LaVay head of the Church of satan. What is your thoughts on Christian bands doing that? GFM: It’s actually popular knowledge that Ronnie James Dio claimed his grandmother used it to ward off evil spirits. As Christians, it’s just a hand gesture to symbolize rock music and the family and community that comes with it. There’s no deeper meaning, just as a simple hand wave or peace sign don’t really have a deeper meaning. You don’t see bands that aren’t Christian bands getting asked if they are Satanists when they use it, so we’re not sure why there is such a great divide. MS: Are you on a record label and do you have cd available? GFM: We are independent at this time, but we do have a lot of CDs! We have an EP that was released in 2015, an album that was released in 2016, a metal EP and an acoustic EP that was released in 2019, and many singles! You can get physical CDs on www.thegfmband.com or you can listen to them all digitally by searching for Gold Frankincense & Myrrh on all digital download and streaming sites. MS: Who is the master mind behind the cool videos (Check them out on youtube) GFM: We actually do a lot of the directing and brainstorming when it comes to videos. We want to make sure that we are very involved in everything that we put out. We never want to release something that isn’t our own. We’ve worked with several companies and video producers, and it’s always fun working with them. 
Photo credit :Steve Lamb SLP photography Janice Sweet interview created 2/7/2019 ===================================== Many people brag about how great there mother is but we found a Mom who truly rocks and her son’s continues to rock this world today. You meet her in Stryper’s In The Beginning video. She is a true Metal Maiden Mom that continue to rock to this day!! Time has no power over her. Let me introduce to you Robert and Michael Sweet’s mom Janice Sweet!! *Metal Soldier – Janice you where the Former Exclusive Stryper Manager 1984-1992. Are you still involved in the music scene? *Janice – Just a little. Not near as much as I used to be. I was involved for years off and on, but finally I suffered from burnout. I told Robert and Stephen Ashley I was stepping down as the bands manager in 1990, but it took about another year and a half for the band to find another manager, but I stayed on as a consultant for another 2 years. During that time my daughter and I did whatever had to be done and there was a lot to do since the band was not functioning. I have done a little recording and worked with Bill Menchen a little as well as conducting some interviews that are on youtube. I am also finishing up my autobiography. *Metal Soldier- What do you think of the current music scene? * Janice- For the most part I dont care for it. I'm not a fan of hip hop and some of the music I hear happening now I like. Some of it, i dont like. I also dont care for most death metal. I'm a fan of true talent. I love great songs, great melodies and well written lyrics. I'm waiting for heavy metal to come back full circle and to better than ever. Tribute bands are helping to keep it alive, but so many 80s bands that were great are gone or are not performing anymore. Be better * Metal Soldier- You mentioned you and your husband made music on the In The Beginning Video. Do you play an instrument or was it you where Michael got the grate vocals from? * Janice Michael, Robert and Lisa grew up in a musical family. 5 of my uncles were guitar players, my mother was a guitar player, my aunt was a pianist, my cousin played drums. I began singing professionally when I was 12 with my mother and my aunt as a trio and we had 3 of my uncles backing us. Later after Phil and I married, we recorded quite a bit as a duet and wrote songs At one time, we hired Robert, Mike and Oz to play on some of our demos. Lisa and I have written and recorded together as well. Phil recently recorded a new CD and Lisa and I are finishing up one now. Our routine on Sunday when they were teenagers was church, lunch, jam session with other musicians and pool parties. Phil and I both sing and play guitar. * Metal Soldier- I have two son’s one is 19 and the other about to turn 13. They always hit on each other like brothers do. What was Robert and Michael like and what is the age difference? *Janice - There is 3 years difference between them. They didnt hit on each other, but Michael used to aggravate Robert in certain ways. I think he just wanted to get Rob's attention. Robert was quiet and never said much about it. * Metal Soldier- Besides being Stryper’s manager your also Michael and Robert’s mom. What was it like for you when you saw them becoming rock stars? * Janice- It was exciting and fast paced. They played a lot of gigs in Hollywood going nowhere, just learning their craft. All at once, their following was building, promoters from other states wanted them to come and perform and Enigma Records wanted them to sign with them. California was crazy for them! The Japanese were crazy for them. It got so crazy, practically every day was busy, the doorbell rang 30-40 times a day. When they rehearsed in my garage, fans would gather outside and spill out into the street. The neighbors and the police were fans. They were becoming celebrities! Michael could not even attend high school, he was too tired after playing week nights in Hollywood, so he had to graduate via continuation school. * Metal Soldier- The Against The Law time. Michael stated “We were complete morons, complete hypocrites. We were going out and telling people about Jesus and God from the stage, and then we’d be hitting the bar and getting drunk with them after the show night after night. It was just a joke – a complete joke – during that period. People go through situations and they learn and grow from it, and we did. We experienced that, and I’m the man I am today because of it. I know Oz and Rob also learned from it. But at that time, we were really just a bunch of hypocrites kind of living a lie for a couple of years. Because of that, there aren’t good memories. Thank God we’re in the place that we’re in right now.” Janice what where you feeling at this time? (We MS don’t judge them and understand) *Janice At this time I knew what was happening and that's about the time that I decided to step down as their manager, but I was praying for them. At that time, they didnt know how to deal with all the fame. I'm glad they came back to their roots though because if they hadn't, I dont think they would be making music today. It was necessary for them to go through that so that they could evolve into the men they are today. *Metal Soldier- Did the ATL area help Michael decision to leave Stryper and as Mom how did you feel? *Janice I don’t think so, if so it was probably minimal. He left the band to go solo and to move to Massachusetts. That's where Kyle's family lived, both Michael and Kyle went go work for her families business and it was her mother's hearts desire to be with her grandchildren. It was a sad time for me. Now it is possible that that atlas period of time influenced him to leave somewhat. But he didnt talk much to me about it. ATL Period. *Metal Solider- It’s awesome Stryper is back. The only change is Perry who fits like a glove. What is you option on the differences on Tim and Perry’s playing? *Janice- Two different guys, two different styles. Tim plays with his fingers which results in a softer sound to the bottom of the band which is bass and drums. Perry plays with a pick which results in a heavier bottom to the band so some adjustments have been made to their sound mix. They are both very good musicians at this time. Not option, opinion on your question *Metal Solider – Awesome Metal Maiden Mom Janice. Can you give bands wanting to go pro any advice? *Janice - It's much harder now than 35 years ago. The music biz has changed a lot and it's not highly favorable to newcomers unless you are extremely talented. I wish I could be more positive, but I have to be truthful. If you can write your own songs and they are potential hits, if you have a band or are a solo artist and you are extremely talented as musicians or a vocalist and you are fortunate to have the right person helping to record and promote you, you may have a chance. Good luck to all of you! Also one more thing. Music genres change and go full circle. So it is necessary at times in order to be "commercial" to be in one of those happening "genres." Metal Solider-Janice we thank you for your time and the great gifts you gave the world with Michael and Robert!!! ------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Sweet 1/28/2018 In 1984 The Yellow and Black attack hit the metal world. They played with the biggest metal bands in the world and became one of Enigma records biggest success. Four metal warriors with a positive metal message to change the world. They have the looks and talent to blow you away. The visual time keeper is a wild man on the drums with hair and arms constantly moving. Let me introduce to you the Might awesome Stryper drummer Robert Sweet! MS: Robert we usually start off asking what are you currently up to but the metal world already knows that former Firehouse bassist Perry Richardson has joined the band. Please tell us how you hooked up with your new bass player? RS:I have known of Perry since he was in Firehouse and even my wife suggested he would be a good fit for the band. Michael and Oz knew of him and after meeting with him we felt he was perfect. MS: Since the band is now complete are you working on a new project? RS: The new soon-to-be-released Stryper recording hits in April and the end of January the guys are coming out to Vegas and we are shooting a new video. MS: Does your new bassist believe and live like the rest of the STRYPER members? RS: Yes he does. MS: We don’t believe rumors but it was said x Quiet Riot, Ozzy and White Snake bassist Rudy Sarzo was in the running. Any truth in that? RS: We have always loved Rudy. I’ve always been a big fan of his - he would have been great. But Perry's the guy! MS: One famous metal magazine cover showed Michael on one side and Blackie Lawless on the other side. It’s titled Heaven and Hell. Blackie is now a Christian any chance Stryper and W.A.S.P might tour together? RS: Well that was me on one side and Blackie on the other. I’m glad he is a Christian and yes there’s always a chance for a future tour. MS: We just finished interviewing the lovely Roxy Petrucci of Vixen and Madam X and when asked about when Stryper and Vixen played a show together she replied “Stryper is a talented band and it's great to see they're still out and bringing it! “ What did you think about Vixen? RS That is very sweet of her to say. The ladies in Vixen were always nice. I thought Vixen was a great band. MS: Ok must people don’t know that Stryper and Motley Crue are friends. It’s like the hero in the white hat and the villain in the black hat. I once took a girl friend to see Stryper at 6 Flags Over Texas. She was wearing a Motley Crue shirt and I had a Stryper shirt on. Many people said it didn’t match. How do you respond or what are your feelings on the subject? RS: I remember seeing Motley Crue live at the Troubador in 1981 in Hollywood. The guys in Motley have always been cool to us. I was just recently sent a drum head signed by the guys in the Crue. Those guys are great, wish we could of done some shows together. MS: At one point you where the lone survivor in Stryper. Michael left first, and then you, Oz and Tim carried on for a few dates. Dale Thompson from Bride in my point of view gave up a great chance to take Mike’s place. You were put in a position like Frankie Banali in Quiet Riot where you both where the only ones left. What kept you from rebuilding a new Stryper? RS: I always felt Stryper would get back together. I just had to wait it out. It would of been wrong to try to put a Stryper together without Michael and Oz. MS: ** Easy one word question time!** MS: Will we see the return of the gongs to your drum set? RS: I hope so !! MS: Loud and Clear “Some of us where always pushed around in school” Was it You, Mike or Tim who got pushed around? I have a feeling Oz probably scared people away lol! RS: All of us in the band were. MS: Favorite Stryper song to play live? RS: Rock That Makes Me Roll MS: Favorite place to play? RS: Tokyo, Japan MS: Favorite band you listen to? RS: I have no idea. MS: Robert you are awesome and have are full respect. It’s an honor to watch and listen to you play. What do you want to say to the fans? RS: I want to thank all of you who have been there for Stryper and me. Without you there is no purpose for the band. Stryper has the greatest fans in the world, love always, over and out, Robert Sweet ----------------------------------------------------------------- Quiet Riot Kevin Dubrow. Interview from 2006. RE Posted Dec 22 2017 RIP --------------------------------------------------------- He’s an axe grinder, Pile driver, Mother says that he never, never mind here, He got Brains and is not insane, He has the boys to make the noise. He will rock us to the midnight hour!! Welcome a Metal Master Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot. 1. Metal Solider: Kevin I have to say it’s an honor to interview you. Ever since I saw the Bang Your Head Video and your spinning the mic stand I have been a fan. MS:So what does the 2000’s hold for Quiet Riot? Kevin: We’re currently finishing our new studio album which will be released by the end of summer and will continue to tour till time ends. 2. Metal Solider: I live in Texas and Quiet Riot was at the Chevy Thunder and plus the Ore-Ida French fry commercial and on VH1 Bang Your Head was #35 on the 40 greatest metal songs of all time. Are things picking for the band? Kevin:2005 was the best year for us since the 80’s. With the focus on Frankie and myself the situation has never been better. 3. Metal Soldier: Big question. What stopped Quiet Riot from being the kings of metal in the 80’s? Your voice, Rudy on bass, Carols on guitar and Frankie on drums, and Bang Your Head. The band should have been unstoppable. Kevin: We are unstoppable. It’s 2006 and were still going strong. I’ve never been happier. 4. Metal Soldier: I heard a story that you once wanted to beat up Michael Sweet of Stryper over some metal babes. Is this true? Kevin: I don’t even think I’ve met the man. I have no idea where this stuff comes from. 5. Metal Soldier: Once you left Quiet Riot what happened to you? Kevin: I left the band. 6. Metal Soldier: Alright as a Metal vocal master please rate the following vocalist 1to 10. Kevin: Michael Sweet (Stryper) If you like Dennis Deyoung this is your man! Vince Neil (Motley Crue) I love Vinnie! Rob Halford (Judas Priest) One of the best out there. Blackie Lawless (WASP) What can I say about Blackie that he hasn’t already said about himself? Bret Michaels (Poison)Great guy, fine performer Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) Always been very unpleasant to me. Not nice, not funny, not charming, 7. Metal Soldier: There a lot of musicians who are out there that would give there left nut to be in a pro band like Quiet Riot. Why is there a problem keeping members? Kevin: There isn’t. We make changes when we need to for specific reasons at any given time. 8. Metal Soldier: I read a story that you had finical problems in the 90’s. Dee Snider also had same issue. How can members of bands that made thousands or possible millions have that problem? Kevin: I can’t speak for anyone else and I never discuss personal financial issues in the press. 9. Metal Soldier: Kevin we love your look. Have you ever thought about starting a side band and go for the Rob Halford look (Which is powerful)? Kevin: No. 10. Metal Soldier: Kevin we at Metal Soldier give you a double salute. Salute ,Salute!! Kevin :Thanks! Brian Clark -Philadelphia Oct 14 2017 In 1984 we where told Tell The Truth and in 1985 Philadelphia went on the Search And Destroy!!! Welcome Brian Clark bass player and vocalist of Philadelphia!! MS- Brain Search and Destroy is awesome. You released it in 1985 and the Philadelphia was on the Ktel Righteous Metal. What happened after that ? BC-We had a multitude of problems . Disagreements with our label , coupled with attacks from the church establishment here in the southern U.S, led to the end of the band. We had been together close to 7 years at that point. MS-We are excited you came back in 2016 with Warlord! What brought back Philadelphia's return? BC-Phil wrote close to a full 3rd album ,with Warlord slated to be it's title track., when we broke up in '86.We had a reunion together in FT Worth Texas in 2016, and though , hey it would be a great finish what we started 30 years ago. MS- Is the band back together with the original line up? BC-The band is Phil Schollings guitars, Brian Martini drums and percussion, and Brain Clark bass and vocals. The original line up member missing is Ronn Flowers guitar. Ronn was part of both albums . The core 3 comprised the Philly line up for several years before Ronn joined the band in '83,and are the same three that cut Warlord. Very important to us to be the same band we where. MS- What are some of the bigger bands Philadelphia played with? BC- We played Cornerstone festivals in'85 and '86. Also played several lager dates opening for Rez Band in Dallas, St. Louis , ect. MS- Did Philadelphia ever have a chance to go pro on a major label? BC- We played quite a few secular clubs back in the day & did very well but problems with our own label would not let us talk with other labels. Philly was on contract and could only record for , our negotiate with , the label we where on. MS-The 80's seem like a million years ago. what do you think of the current music scene? BC-The musicians in Philadelphia have 'kept up with the times',and enjoy all the heaver music and influences since the '80s. MS- What do you see for the feature of Philadelphia? BC- Philadelphia will doubtless do more recording projects, and play select live dates when possible . The members love & respect each other, and really enjoy making music together. MS- Brian we wish Philly are best. What do you want to say to the fans? BC- Thank you so much.To our fans & friends, we love you, and So enjoyed making Warlord for you. We thank you so much for your love & support of Philly. Watch for a very special announcement coming from Roxx Productions and Philadelphia! -------------------------------------------------------- Oct 10 2017 Rex Carroll Meet Christian metal's Eddie Van Halen! He is truely one of the greates ax men! Rex Carroll of White Cross and King James.. MS: Rex you are known as the Christian Eddie Van Halen .Where did you learn to play? RC: Thanks for that! I'm just a fan of Eddie, like everybody else. I can't do A any of things he does, but I suppose i acquired that reputation maybe because I incorporated A LOT of right hand tapping on the Whitecross albums. I can't ever say there was a good reason for THAT! Because the truth is, I did the tapping on account of not being able to play fast enough with the pick. Tapping was just a compensating mechanism to try to create some illusion of 'fast enough'. Now, what i Can say is, I worked and worked and worked on my picking hand, and thankfully I'm able to(for the most part)do what I need to do these days with a pick. I'm able to get around that way a lot better no. Plus there was a thing that happened in the mid to late 90's - my entire style of "80's shredding" guitar suddenly was frowned upon and people would roll their eyes at the idea of playing guitar that way. 80's songs are OUT. We only want to hear pearl jam, nirvana, and all the other flannel shirt bands. If you play guitar WELL, you're hopelessly out of sync. It was all very confusing to me... you spend your whole life is trying to play a beautiful melody on the guitar and all of a sudden nobody likes it, and by extension they don't like YOU either. So next thing you know, I'm not "allowed" to play with finger tapping or the whammy bar, or good tone, or marshall stacks, or anything else that I would call classy. I understand that the whole scene had gotten corporatized, and all the hair bands looked alike, it was definitely time to re-invent, BUT IMO the baby got thrown out with the bath water, sort to speak.Meaning , good MUSIC got pushed out along with spandex and everything else. SO...I HAD to learn to use the pick, no finger tapping allowed and no whammy bar, and that's how I got where I am today, Eventually, I got my whammy bar back hahaha. I've forgotten a lot of the old hammer - on tapping licks I used to play...(Rex shrugs shoulders and pops open a diet coke) but at least now there's a semblance of balance again. Kurt Cobain is gone...but I'm still here. MS:White Cross has a great sound with Scott's Ratt vocal sound and you on guitar. How did you and Scott hook up? RC: In 1977 I was in a local "christian rock band" we played covers of 2nd Chapter Of Acts, Phil Keaggy,Keith Green,ect. That's where I learned about Christian music. Then I got signed by Atlantic records and we did a mainstream rock act called Fierce Heart. The band had juuuuust enough problems that it didn't quite work, so in 1985 I was back at the local music store teaching guitar lessons. Scotty was trying to start a christian rock band, and he couldn't find a guitar player. So one day he walks thru my door for lessons. I heard him talking and I thought to myself,"my Lord if he can sign even a little bit like he says he can, this will be a great sound". I could hear it ,even just in his speaking voice. It took a couple of months to pin him down long enough to force him to actually sing along with my guitar, I guess he was shy about it. He had already started a band called "White Cross" so I came in and they where doing all covers, and they had no lead guitar player and no direction so that's where I stepped in; mainly I wanted the chance to see what could happen with my songs and Scotty's voice. One or two weeks in and I said listen guys we're gonna do some original music and MAN! you should of seen the fireworks on that because the group consensus was"original music" = band career suicide" lol. So that ended up being quite a battle, and the vision of being an original band playing original music never really caught on until we were almost done with our first album. Thankfully, we were able to get to that point. One day later on, we saw some promo the record label was doing on us that said "Whitecross"... they shortened it to one word and that's what it has been ever since. MS: In King James,Robert Sweet and Tim Gaines played with you. This seems like a dream team. How did this come together? RC: There's no amazing story to tell here, lol. It's quite simple, actually. Jimi Bennett and myself were working on the songs for the first King James album; Jimi suggested I call Robert. I had met those guys about a year prior when Whitecross did a festival date with Stryper. Now at that time, you may recall Stryper was a 3 man band. Michael Sweet had left the, and they where trying to carry in without him. So when I called Bobby he was very happy to give it a go with myself and Jimmi. Robert actually suggested that Tim might be intrested as well, so we gave him a ring also. I had high hopes for that line-up at the time, but with 20/20 hindsight, King James is in a better place now, where the lineup is much more stable. MS: Now the big question who are 4 guitar players you respect and what is it about there playing you like? RC: 1. Richie Blackmore/Yngwie Malmsteen. They are like father and son. This is classical music,interpreted through the electric guitar. 2. Stevie Ray Vaughan . This is American Blues music, what it sounds like. Specifically, the Texas sound. 3. Michael Schenker This is soulful, beautiful music that is relevant in the 70's, and all the way to 2017. I think of it as the "euro" sound. 4. Eddie Van Halen. This is the reinvention of the guitar sound . Everything guitar tone-wise can be traced to pre-van halen or post van halen. There are many more. Peter Frampton was my first guitar hero. Eric Clapton(from back when he could play). ZZ top . Humble Pie , Bad Company,Robin Tower , Johnny Winters, Jimmy Page, Allmans Bros, Santa, and John Sykes. Really EVERYTHING has something to offer, if you give it a chance. MS: Have you ever thought about an ax man cd including master ax men like you, Ray Parris of Barren Cross and the mighty Oz Fox? RC: ummm...no no. annnnnd....no. MS: What effects peddles, amp and guitars did you use in the early Whitecross days? RC: Cheap stuff right off the rack. I had a Marshall jcm 800 I got as a graduation present from my mom and dad (Thanks Mom!) and I had a guitar built out of spare parts. To boost the 800 I had an Ibanez 31-band graphic eq that was really designed and intended for use in a recording studio, It wasn't a pedal at all but rather it was a standard 19" rack mount design. So, I used to lug it around to drive the front end of the Marshall. But here's something really cool-as of the late, I have been endorsed by Joyo pedals. They're made in China and imported top the U.S. They sound fabulous and are very inexpensive ; you can load up your pedal board quickly with em. I didn't really know much about them. I have a buddy who turned me on to them. So as you shopping for pedals, give them a shot. I see a lot of other pedals out there that cost 4-5 time the price....that don't sound that great. The Joyos on the other had are very consistent. They're just your basic bread and butter type pedals- distortions, delay,reverbs,chorusing , that type of thing. I've been using them for a while now, without any complaints and they sound great! MS: Rex you are by far the greatest white metal ax master. what would you like to say to your fans? RC: Thank you for the compliment! I don't know that there's anything I could say that hasn't already been said 100 times over, but as always, i am continuously reminded every day that it's not about me, or the band- it's all about the fans. Many of you have become my good friends via social media, and I'm continuously greatful for your support. You bought the albums, the t shirts, and came to the shows and I'm greatful for that. Thanks again for the interview.. follow Jesus! ________________________________________ Sept 2017 She is sexy and hot and will make your heart pound as hard as the drum she plays! The foxiest metal maiden in the world Roxy Petrucci!! MS-Hi Roxy what are you currently up to musically ? RP- The original Madam X is back together and we're set to release our new CD MONSTROCITY on Halloween October 31st. Very fitting for this cast of Characters that make up Madam X! I'm also touring with Vixen and we just recorded a performance at the Arcada Theater Illinois for a live release. There will be a couple of bonus tracks on the CD as well. MS- We recently interviewed Maxine and she told us you and Chris Fayz came up will Kilmister. Where you and the late great Lemmy close? RP-I knew Lemmy from hanging out at the Rainbow on the Sunset in LA. He was always friendly with me and we would drink and chat. I mostly listened. He was so funny and full of quips. He was one of a kind for sure! I'm very inspired by his lyrics and one day while traveling to a Vixen gig I started jolting down lyrics about Lemmy and by the time I arrived, KILMISTER was written. I gave my lyrics to the Vixen keyboardist Chris Fayz to come up with the music and he hit it out of the park. Maxine recorded the guitars Mark Slaughter on vocals and Michael Pisculli on bass. We released it as VIP Aftershow, a project Maxine and I have on the side. MS- Being the hottest drummer in the world how do you fight off the young male Vixen fans or do you? RP-I have to fight them off with my sticks :) MS- Rumor has it Vixen and the Scorpions showered together. Was it PG or X rated? RP- I will never tell! It's in the vault... maybe in my book! MS- Between Maxine, Kilmister and Vixen do you get time to get away or does the music drive your soul and is your relax time? RP-Relaxing time to me is going to see some fantastically talented Jazz/fusion band. I dig there stuff, It moves me. Lately there has been no time to relax and that's ok i have much to accomplish. MS- In the beginning two super hot Italian sisters split the bill to tour most of the country and make it to Hollywood to be signed as Madam X to Jet/Cbs records in 1984. Two years later you joined Vixen in 1986(we adore Vixen and miss you Jan) how did that happen? RP-Madam X broke up shortly after the release of the album. Janet Gardner immediately called me to jam with Vixen and the rest is history. We miss Jan immensely , but we have a new guitarist 'Britt Lightening' who is a really good fit and we continue to tour and honor Jan Kuehnemund and the Vixen legacy. MS-Vixen and Stryper toured together in 1990. What do you think of Robert Sweet's drumming? RP- We toured together? Damn I don't remember it but Stryper is a talented band and it's great to see they're still out and bringing it! MS- Roxy when can we see you live again and what band will you be in? RP-I'm playing steadily with Vixen and will be pulling double duty with Madam X and Vixen on the Monster Of Rock Cruise in February 2018. I hope to be touring with both bands! I don't know how I'll manage it but that's a good problem to have! MS- Your so hot we wish we could have your clone. What do you want to say to your fans? RP- Thank you for 'stickin' with me through the years! I have Rock and Roll is in my soul but Metal to the core! MS- She is the hottest metal maiden drummer in the world and we at Metal Soldier salute you! RP- Thank you Metal Soldier for keeping it real! ===================================== Aug 2017 She is beautiful, she is hot and she is metal! This goddess of metal wields an awesome ax and has great vocals! Let me introduce to you the one and only Maxine Petrucci of Madam X and Maxine. MS-Maxine please tell us about your new band Maxine. MP- My solo band has been active since 2006 when i released my first solo album titled "Titania"I had special guest the great legendary Billy Sheehan on the title track "Titania" along with my sister Roxy Petrucci on all drums and everyone knows what a solid great drummer she is!!! And killer great Michael Pisculli on a couple of tracks too. It was my first solo effort then i followed up with another solo record titled 'Don't Hate Me' and then my personal favorite ' Back To The Garden'. "Back To The Garden" was more of a concept album and pretty fu@*ing heavy. I wrote and performed everything but drums. That was Pat Deleon on drums. He's a progressive rock drummer . Very tight, technical and knowledgeable. MS- I love Madam X but Maxine blows me away. Your ax is sharper then ever and your singing? What lead you to double duty? MP- At that time i just wanted to get everything done the way i envisioned it with out the drama,waiting,paying lots of money, and egos ect. I figured I could do almost all of it except the drums and i pretty much did it. I usually do what i feel and feel up to when i record. Right now I am excited about the new Madam X album cuz I got to pretty much play what I wanted and got to be a big part of the song writing along with Roxy. In which I think together we wrote some great ,great rock tunes. MS- Madam x started in 1981 and Maxine came out in the 2000's. How would you compare the two style sounds? MP- I was much younger in Madam X and time and experience makes one grow. I think what i did from that time which included Sebastian Bach, then Roxy in an all girl band 'Hells Belles' in the 90's then doing a tour with Vixen in the late 90's lead me to a new millennium with my solo works. I guess i never stopped. I was never really "Famous"but i did what most Musicians really do and that's to keep creating and playing no matter what. I always started true to play hard rock and metal throughout all those years. I was never an occasion guitar player. It was rock for me!!!! MS- Kiss has the song Detroit Rock City. You are from there and that's where you and Roxy are playing there. You didn't have to move to LA to get signed. Tell us how you went pro? MP-Well actually Madam X toured pretty much most of the USA from east coast to west coast for 2 straight years playing 4 to 5 sets a night with our own huge pa system and lights and stage gear, 10 man road crew semi tractor trailer that we funded all our ourselves. We worked our way to Hollywood to get signed.It was our plan and goal and we did it.In 1984 we signed to Jet/CBS records. Don Arden (Sharon Osbournes dad)signed up and was our manager. MS- Time for AX talk. What is your favorite AX to carry into battle? MP- PRS Guitars. I love them!!! They sound great play great, and easy to string and tune them. Pretty hassle free. I still love my Gibson Les Paul too but it is to valuable to take on the road. MS-Technology has have massive changes. What great effects are you using to get that great sound? MP- In the studio I used my Marshall and Peavey amps for the rhythm guitars and let my engineer Kevin Sharpe put me through Line 6 for my guitar leads. I say yay or nay until he gets me what I am looking for in guitar lead tones. He nails it . He knows after all these years what I want. MS- It's awesome that you and Roxy worked together to create "Kilmister". What lead you to do a tribute to Lemmy. MP- First of all she wrote all the songs before he past. She wrote it with Vixen keyboard player Chris Fayz. She always admired and loved Lemmy and felt inspired to write songs about him. She asked if I would do my heaviness factor to it and she added Mark Slaughter to get sing it and Michael Pisculli to play the bass. It really turned out killer so we decided to create a VIP Aftershow so we could do a bunch of one off singles and release them. It is one all digital downloads and we have a 12 inch vinyl out now with Kilmister on side A and Full Metal Jacket that Roxy and I wrote together on side B. Both songs are with Mark Slaughter and Michael Pisculli. MS- Maxine you are like fine wine and you just get better as time passes. What would you like to say to your fans? MP- I would like to thank everyone for their awesome dedicated support throughout all these years!!!! I would like to thank them all too for waiting for all the record releases throughout the years. I know Madam X has been a long wait but it's going to be work the wait cuz we worked really had to make it a great album that true to who we where then and who we are today. Follow us on Facebook and we will keep everyone informed on the new release for Madam X, VIP Aftershow, and Maxine band. And thank you Stephen for the interview!!! You rock!!! ------------------------------------------------------------ Sept 2016 He is here the awesome Ax man of the number 2 Christian metal band that rock the world. Label mate of Stryper, Slayer and Poison in 1988. The mighty Ray Parris of Barren Cross!!! MS- Ray what are you currently up to musically? RP- I have been out of the music business for many years now. I wanted to get married and have a family, which i did with out the high demands of the time that a musician must devote. That said, my kids are almost grown, so I look forward to get back to playing again more steadily in the next few years. MS-Ray what is the status of Barren Cross? RP- Barren Cross is on hold in certain aspects like touring. We played a few shows over the last 10 years or so but Steve, Jim and I all have kids so it's pretty tough to get together. MS- What is your favorite Ax? RP- My current favorite axe is modified Fender Strat. In the new model with the flatten fret board and 22 frets. MS-As a professional musician who made it. What is you option of the current music scene? RP- I am not up on the current music scene but I really like the fact that bands can get there music our without having to beg for a record deal. They are free to create anything and the sky is the limit. You Tube and other video sites have changed the game for the better in some cases. In know there are copy right issues that have plagued the music business as well. MS- Per Stryper we know Enigma records shut down. Where did that leave BC? RP- When Enigma records shut down we had gone on break for a few years. We then released Rattle on another label. MS-Have you done many side projects? (cool idea Vengeance from Parris) RP- I have never done another project outside of BC. I would be open in the future to writing with other artist. MS- Any words of wisdom for our metal friends? RP- The best wisdom I can offer to any Christian metal band is to have solid accountability in place. There are to many artist that have compromised their testimony . The music, show or talent can always be worked on, but the ministry , the display of Christ is far more important. 7/21/17 Metal Master John Mahan Q&A 
Metal Solider's meet up with a true Metal Master and x -Saint's axe man John Mahan. *MS: John your sound was awesome in Saint. What was your axe of choice and what effects did you use? **JM: My guitar was made for me with a Carvin neck and alderwood with a kahler bay system. I forget what the pick ups because the guitar was stolen. I used a Gallien and Kruger on both albums. I used the chorus in the amp and a rat pedal. *MS: How did you hook up with Saint? **JM: I mover to Oregon and meet Rich. Then moved to California. Rich sent me the demo for Warriors of The Son and I moved back to Oregon. *MS: Saint was in the top 4 Christian metal bands. Did Saint have a chance to get on a non Christian label? **JM: We never sent any demos to secular labels. *MS: You played on Warriors Of The Son after hearing the demo, you did all the guitars and wrote songs on Times End, and wrote the song "The Path" on To Late For Living. What happened that you where no longer in Saint? **JM: I needed a change in direction so I left the band. *MS: Musicians can not escape there drive and desire of music. Is there a chance your axe will once again scream with a vengance? **JM: I have a demo almost done,I will probably call it "Eat The Scroll". I will put it out to test the waters. *MS: You are a hero to many of the 80's metal fans. How do you admire? **JM: I admire any one who takes up an instrument and works at it. I like alot of early artist like Rez Band, Stonehill Norman and many more spiritually speaking. *MS: John we at Metal Solider salute you! What do you want to say to your fans *JM: I would say it was an honor playing for the Lord. We never though that we would get and recognition. We just loved to play and I am greatful and humbled by some of the fans testimonies . What gets me the most is when I hear we helped someones life one war or another. It's a major blessing and makes me feel happy. Pray and follow your heart. I know the plans i have for you to give you a future and a hope plans for good and not evil, say the Lord! |
We have interviewed!!!!
Gold Frankincense & Myrrh.
Stryper new single coming soon**** Metal News*** 
Up coming interviews
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