Mark Engles of Dredg

On their new album Chuckles And Mr. Squeezy Dredg have raised a few eyebrows – and it’s not just over the quirky name.  Constantly reinventing themselves musically this new album shows off a side of Dredg that we haven’t heard before, primarily due to their collaboration with producer Dan the Automator who brought a whole new approach to the table.

The songs focus largely on lead singer Gavin Hayes deeply personal experiences throughout his life from meeting his biological parents in his 30s to his sister’s deployment as part of our Armed Forces.  The music is less focused on guitar and live drums and more on production, mood and ambiance which is probably the biggest shift from their last album.

The band (Gavin Hayes on vocals, Mark Engles on guitar, Drew Roulette on bass and Dino Campanella on drums) show off their musical constraint and their neverending drive to do something completely different with each album.   Some music fans may be turned off by this but then there are those of us who embrace the change and can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.

We recently caught up with guitarist Mark Engles who told us all about it.

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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Russell Allen of Symphony X

On June 21^st Symphony X will release their eighth studio release titled Iconoclast, their first release since 2007’s Paradise Lost.  Iconoclast is being referred to as the band’s manifesto “a commanding declaration of an inventive blend of classic rock, straightforward heavy metal and ambitious prog.”  That seems like a lot to live up to but if anyone can deliver, leave it to Symphony X.

The band is currently out on a short tour run and I got to catch up with “Sir” Russell Allen before their show in Worcester, MA at The Palladium.  We talked about Iconoclast, their new relationship with Nuclear Blast, side projects with Mike Portnoy and the one question I couldn’ t leave without asking…how does one become a “Sir”?

Interviewed by:  Roger Scales
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Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low

It’s been a long time coming but on June 7^th All Time Low will release their major label debut album Dirty Work on Interscope Records.  Calling this album a crossroads of sorts the album title harkens back to the fine line musicians have to balance between their careers and their personal lives and the songs that were sprung from those experiences.  Offering up a multi-dimensional All Time Low, Dirty Work has allowed the band to grow as songwriters and their hopes are that their dedicated fanbase will come along for the ride.  Forever grateful for all their time spent with Hopeless Records, it was an appropriate time for them to leave the nest and spread their wings with Dirty Work.  

The first single “I Feel Like Dancin” was written with Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo and shows the band stepping out of their comfort zone a little while still keeping the tongue n’ cheekiness that we’ve come to love and expect from them.   Working with several different producers on the album from Butch Walker to Matt Squire to Mike Green to only lends to the overall dynamic of the album.

We recently caught up with ATL’s front man Alex Gaskarth (who started All Time Low along with guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson back in high school) to talk about the new album, their journey making it, and what fans should expect.

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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Dallas Smith of Default

With an album that was originally due out in 2008, Default (Dallas Smith on vocals, Jeremy Hora on guitars, Dave Benedict on bass, and Danny Craig on drums) fell victim to the unfortunate industry side of the music world and their album was put on hold as their former record label went out of business.  Never fear though, the album aptly titled Comes and Goes finally made its debut on October 26^th through AudioNest and was well worth the wait.

What may have been enough to split up some bands only seemed to bring Default closer together.  Calling the whole experience a mixed bag of emotions the band is just happy to finally share their music with their fans that have been patiently waiting.  Comes and Goes offers up Default’s strongest offering to date with lyrics that are deeply personal and a song selection that runs the gamut.  From the first single, the upbeat anthemic “Turn It On” to a song penned about Dallas’ son titled “Caught In The Moment” this album brings Default back to their core of their melodic rock sound with big hooks, catchy riffs, and inspiring lyrics.

We recently caught up with lead vocalist Dallas Smith to talk about the band’s journey, the new album, and of course we couldn’t resist the chance to talk playoff hockey with him!

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette

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Eric Martin of Mr Big

In 2009 melodic rock fans rejoiced when the original Mr. Big line-up (Eric Martin on vocals, Paul Gilbert on guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass and Pat Torpey on drums) announced their reunion to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their debut self-titled album.  A reunion tour in Japan followed but fans stateside were wondering if that would be it?

With so many years in the rear-view mirror the band decided to roll the dice on a new album.  The chemistry seemed to be there and with the help of producer Kevin Shirley the band was able to really get back to their roots with What If.., their first album together in fourteen years.  The album is a testament of their collective musicianship and was recorded in a way that truly captured the live, raw, energy of the band.  With a fresh new take on the genre the album ushers Mr. Big into the 21^st century with a bang!

TWRY recently caught up with Mr. Big’s Eric Martin to discuss the reunion, the new album, and of course everything leading up to it.

Interviewed by:  Roger Scales
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Shane Cooney of Kopek

Irish rock trio Kopek (Daniel Jordan on vocals and guitar, Shane Cooney on drums and Brad Kinsella on bass) are set to drop their US debut release White Collar Lies on March 1^st.  The album, inspired by their take on modern societal views is a rock and roll gem that is sure to please rock purists around the globe.

The band is use to making fans the old fashioned way; getting out there and rocking their faces off! Currently out on the road and about to wrap up a six week jaunt with Hinder and Saving Abel the band will follow that up by heading out with Cold and Egypt Central that will take them through the end of April .  

We recently caught up with the band to talk to them about the new album, their roots, and how America is treating them!

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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John Waite

John Waite has undoubtedly one of the most beloved voices throughout the history of melodic rock.  His signature sound paved the way for his monstrous career stemming back to his early days with The Babys followed by a successful solo run, time spent with supergroup Bad English and now again, as a solo artist.

With a repertoire of mega-hit songs under his belt from “Change” to “Missing You” to “When I See You Smile” – Waite has sealed his fate as one of the most successful singer/songwriters of our era.  While some of these songs seemed to take on a life of their own and at times become larger than life, it was always the next great song that Waite was after.

At a time in his career where he could easily rest on his laurels, Waite surprised us by offering up his latest solo release Rough & Tumble which he calls an all new beginning.  One might ask, why would someone like John Waite want to start all over again and only a true artist can understand that motivation.  With a collection of songs that encompass new tracks written with Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, reworks on old classics, and a cover or two, Rough & Tumble shows the diversity of Waite’s writing and vocals while still giving us the melodies and voice we’ve come to expect.

We recently had the opportunity to talk to John about the new album and his amazing career.

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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Julien Jorgensen of Rev Theory

On February 15^th, Rev Theory will release their new album Justice.   According to the band (Rick Luzzi on vocals, Julien Jorgensen and Rikki Lixx on guitar, Matty McCloskey on bass and Dave Agoglia on drums), “it’s not just an album, it’s a call to action.”  Produced by Terry Tate, the album successfully translates the high level energy and excitement that they bring to the stage night after night to a recorded format for fans to listen to time and time again.

The overall theme of the album revolves around the qualities that the band feels defines all of us – “honor, truth, love and respect”.  The album offers up songs to to inspire the downtrodden, lend a helping hand to the desperate, and bring hope to those disillusioned by the world we see around us from politics to the economy to humanity in general.  Anthemic tunes like the title track “Justice” is a fist-pumping  rocker that sets the tone right from the start.

This album harkens back to the raw energy of the band’s debut release Truth Is Currency and builds on that.  The results are a solid rock album from start to finish and undoubtedly their best album to date.  We recently caught up with guitarist Julien Jorgensen to talk about the new album and how it all came together!

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette

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Maria Brink of In This Moment

Few have been able to harness the delicate balance between aggression and melody quite like In This Moment.  With their third release A Star-Crossed Wasteland the band has truly defined their sound – an emotional assault of the senses mixing the beauty of melodic softness with the grunge and grittiness of metal; no one seems to do it better.

Looking at In This Moment’s leading lady Maria Brink from the outside, few would expect the baby-doll dress adorned, tattooed, blonde haired maven to open up and let out some of her signature growls, but Brink has proved through music that there’s a lot more than meets the eye. 

Brink along with founding member and guitarist Chris Howarth, Blake Bunzel on rhythm guitar, Jeff Fabb on drums and Travis Johnson on bass are currently out as part of the Music As A Weapon Tour alongside Korn, Disturbed and Sevendust, ITM’s Maria Brink took some time to fill us in on the tour, their latest album, and  her advice to blooming metal goddesses.

Interviewed by:  Mary Ouellette
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Gunnar Nelson of Nelson

In 1990 Nelson introduced themselves to the music world via their debut album After The Rain with infectious harmonies, soaring melodies and of course a whole lotta hair. Now, over twenty years later the band returns with their latest album Lightning Strikes Twice which has been heralded as a return to that signature sound that we all fell in love with so long ago.

It’s been a long but fruitful road for Matthew and Gunnar Nelson and they’ve learned many lessons along the way but the one thing that has never wavered is their inherent passion to write and perform music – much like their father – the late, great, Ricky Nelson. Both accomplished songwriters and musicians, Lightning Strikes Twice was written and recorded entirely by Matthew and Gunnar, with a few guest musicians contributing along the way. In what they’ve considered unfinished business in many ways Nelson has channeled their full collective energies to produce some of their most dynamic songs to date.

We recently had a chance to chat with Gunnar Nelson who talked about the new album, the path they’ve traveled, and of course, their beloved family.

Interviewed by:  Roger Scales 

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