Midwest BEAT Magazine

FEATURES

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...."

by Tom Lounges

BEAT PARTIES BOOKED...

   Join us at our next BEAT BASH on Nov. 13 at Port Offshore when we rock
with Motherload, Trauma, Soulshine and In-Zane... Then watch for out annual
"Hard 'N' Heavy Christmas" metal bash at J.J. Kelley's on Dec. 18, where we
will hit 'cha with no less that a half dozen slammin' bands...
Bass Player Wanted

.   Hmmmm...does it take a hole to fill a hole? No, it's not the physics
question of the week. It's what the music industry at large is wondering
this week as rumors fly fast and furious that bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur of
the band HOLE will soon slide into the hole that the sudden departure of
D'Arcy Wretzky left in Chicago's Smashing Pumpkins. Only time will tell if
the rumors prove true.
Pssssssst...according to what we've heard, Courtney Love's platinum-selling
group is going to hold open auditions in the hopes of finding a fresh, young
talent with something new to bring to the band's creative table.
   Hey, if you think you have what it takes, then gamble some stamps on rock
stardom and send two (2) complete personal profile kits, containing a photo,
a personal resume/bio and a demo tape or CD to: Bass Player, PMB 294, 2658
Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039.

GODSPEED Vs. GARRETT...

.   It's bad enough when a band has to change it's name because some other
group owns the trademark. But having to give up a cool name because washed
up teen idol Leif Garrett is attempting a comeback with that same name is
really pouring salt on a wound.
   N.W. Indiana's Godspeed had to bow down to the now middle-aged and paunchy
'70s pin-up boy. Tough break! Godspeed will announce their new name
(pssst...it's Mindshaft) at J.J. Kelley's on Nov. 12, when they open for
global metal heads, ANVIL.

RANDOM BITS...

. To avoid any confusion between it's old self and it's new self, the local
rock 'n' pop band Jupiter II, who used to be called Saint Jupiter, is now
calling itself Victoria & The Character Defects. Got that?

. CRIME, have shed themselves of their old singer and their old metal
sound. The band has recruited vocalist Ben Loop (ex-Devil Dogs), changed its
name to Motherload, and now plays blues-influenced hard rock with keyboards
and samples.

. Hammond native, Troy Patrick Farrell (younger brother to Monkey Cocktail's
bassist Shawn Farrell), has parted ways with Lolligag, the California band he
co-founded two years ago with former Bullet Boys/King Kobra guitarist, Mick
Sweda. As to if he will team up with Leif Garrett next remains to be seen...

. Former Highland bassist, Darrin Lazlo (ex-Sgt Roxx), is now slapping
strings in a new California pop-punk outfit called 22 Jacks. The band have
been busy opening West Coast shows for chart-toppers, Smashmouth, and
recently did a two week headline club tour of Australia. They hit the Metro
last month and I missed 'em...thanks for the phone call Darrin...NOT!

. Dyer's modern pop quartet, Sometimes Seven, are busy working at Hammond's
Thunderclap Studio. The group is recording their full-length CD follow-up to
last year's EP, "Static From The Blender". The as-yet-untitled new album
will be released in January, 2000. For more info, log on with the band at:
www.sometimesseven.com.

You found MAX! Click the picture to WIN!

Click here to check out the winners!

. High Tech Studios in rural Schnieder, IN - recent recording crib to Down,
Godspeed and The John Bonick Band - is expanding this spring. Studio owner,
John Huber has announced that ground has already been broken for a larger new
facility which will include video recording as well as audio recording. Lief
Garrett is not expected to record there.
.

Call 'em the cover kings! Prog-metal group, ION VEIN, has spent a lot of time in the studio this summer/fall tracking cover songs for Dwell Records tribute compilations to King Diamond, Ozzy Osbourne and Dio. The South Side lads offer listener's their interpretation of "Victimized", "Mr. Crowley" and "Don't Talk To Strangers", respectively for each. Ion Vein were previously included on two Iron Maiden tributes. There is no truth to the
rumor that their next project is a Leif Garrett tribute...

. Bill Hayden re-thought his plans to retire from music earlier this year
and instead has released the full-length CD, "Indiana Song", on his own
Possum Records imprint. This 15-track CD is something of a "best of..." set
pulled from Hayden's three previously-released local albums, "Hometown Cafe",
"Steeltown" and "This Indecision Is Final..." Rounding out the album is the
previously unreleased title track, a decade-old song that the artist only
brought to fruition a few months ago.

. South Side metal band, Winterkill, on hiatus since April from local clubs
while auditioning a replacement for departed drummer, Tony Rios, has come
back stronger than ever. They sought to add one new member and came back
with two. Chris Keibles (ex-Freud's Toy Box) is now on drums and ripping
alongside Jeffrey West is new second guitarist, P.K. Ripper
(ex-Ript/ex-Johnny Chainsaw). The band debuted live with the new line-up
late last month at J.J. Kelley's and got thumbs up all around...
.

Eat A Peach, who almost overnight transformed from an Allman Brothers
tribute act to a respected original music group, will perform Nov. 5 at The
Bridge (201 E. Romeo Rd.) in Romeoville, IL as part of the "Roaring Records
Concert Series" as seen on the AT&T Cable Network. The band releases their
new album, Turbulence & Thunder, this month.

. Jack Adams, the leather-pants swiping lead singer of Monkey Cocktail
(formerly Dying Breed) took his band on stage at the Double Door last month
at an invitational showcase for Sony Records. The group gets back into the
swing of things locally, when they open for the original line-up of L.A. Guns
at J.J. Kelley's on Nov. 10. That show will be their first local appearance
with new member, Joey Miroballi (ex-Floor 13/Joker), who was recently added
as the band's second guitarist. By the way Jack, bring those leathers of mine
to that show...thanks!

. Having been overwhelmed by local CDs in the mail these last few weeks, I w
ould be remiss to not at least make mention that new albums by the following
area bands are now available for holiday gift-giving: The Madhops, Chaos, Low
Twelve, Peacefreak, Jef Sarver, Pompous Lily, Eric Lambert & The Laughing
Gnomes, Forty-Piece Choir, Lokra, Hivemind, Stolen Groove and Soul Blend.
Watch for Soulshine's debut CD to in mid-December.

. For the last five and a half years, I have been asked at least twice
weekly - "When is the old Club Dimensions going to open again?" As if my
eight years of working there under the old regime allowed me access to a
crystal ball or something.

    Well the questions can stop. I am happy to report that the newly
renovated landmark club is soon to open it's doors. Trust me when I say the
place is beautiful and that you won't recognize the club after all the hard
work that's been put into it.   While I am not privvy to an actual date, I do
know that some bands have already been contracted to perform before the
year's end. In fact, Bravo Johnny is scheduled to ring in the new year from
the new stage... Now pleeeeeze... no more questions !!!!!
.

Call me tardy on this one, but it slipped through the cracks last month. Congratulations to Don Baron, vocalist/frontman for the bands Bravo Johnny and Medium, on his recent marriage to the fine-looking Amber Jansky... Donny ol' boy, you landed a winner! I wish you much happiness in the years to come.

. As life moves on, so it also concludes... With that said, I extend my
condolences to the families of local musicians Denny Moss (ex-Fatal Order)
and Jim Hillegonds (Alison's Mailbox). Both Denny and Jim suffered the loss
of their fathers late last month. Chin up guys!