Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Avengers - Comics Buyer's Guide


New Comic Buyer's Guide cover. www.cbgxtra.com
Check out my Comic Book Blog, Free Comic Book Day is coming up in May, Find out where you can get your Free Comics!


1968 Avengers King Size Special Ad, 1 of the 10 best Avengers comic covers of all-time per Comic Buyers Guide.


Free Avengers comic from Queen City Bookstore. Yes, Spider Man and Wolverine are now full time Avengers.



Here's the lineup for the Avengers movie clockwise from top left clockwise, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans) and last but not least Hawkeye. Also featuring Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
Other Marvel Comic movies in the works, Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Ant-Man, Guardians Of The Galaxy and Inhumans.

Maggie - “Tidal Waves and Hurricanes"



Pop songwriter, Maggie, debuts a beautifully cinematic video for her new single "Tidal Waves And Hurricanes" this month.  A tried and true performer that counts Bonnie Raitt and Carole King as influences, Maggie has spent most of her life writing songs and performing in venues across the United States and Canada. Her time on the Nashville songwriting circuit  garnered the attention of Canadian label Linus Entertainment, who promoted and released her debut album "Now Hear Me Out" in 2012. Her soulful, vocally infused pop immediately captured the attention of the masses that saw her on tour with The Bangles and Carly Rae Jepsen. Her experience on the pop scene eventually landed her in Los Angeles, where she dove deeper into the art of songwriting and focused her efforts on a more personal introspective brand of pop music that is both inspiring and uplifting. On her new single, "Tidal Waves And Hurricanes" she battles her insecurities by facing them down head first and demanding that they take a backseat to her dreams. The dynamic video for the track is no different.

Official video Tidal Waves and Hurricanes -  http://tinyurl.com/mjua3y7

The scenic video for "Tidal Waves and Hurricanes" takes the listener on a visual journey that captures the free spirit of the track itself. It affirms the belief that in new places and discoveries you uncover truths within yourself, and that every step we take, is taking us down the path that we were meant to follow. From the rolling coastal waves crashing on the sand to the parched deserts that disappear into the blue skies, it's a stunning glimpse of nature that inspires exploration. With lyrics that are about exploring your fears and allowing yourself to face down your demons, director Mobi captures the essence of the story, developing it beautifully within the folds of the visual story. It is a flawless companion to the soulful music and heartfelt story, a beautifully artistic work that you have to watch again and again.

http://www.allaboutmaggie.com/


Thank you Austin.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Vincent Gallo



I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting briefly with Vincent Gallo recently (1/31/14) at The Salvation Army location in Williamsville. The above picture is how Vincent looked when I met him.


Vincent Gallo is a local actor, director, musician and painter.
I was searching through the cassette tapes looking for something good to listen to when I heard a pair of boots come up from behind me. The boots stopped at the vinyl section to my left. I was curious as to who was inside the boots that walked with such purpose to the record section.
Turning around I almost immediately recognized Vincent from Buffalo '66 fame but I wasn't 100% sure if it really was him. I decided to walk around the store and turn back around toward the vinyl section.
After being sure it was Vincent I decided I would try to overcome my shyness and introduce myself and ask Vincent if he really was Vincent Gallo.
He said Yes I am Vincent and we talked very briefly about Buffalo '66, the Goo Goo Dolls and Mark Freeland while he thumbed through the old records. He told me he had bought alot of the clothes for Buffalo '66 from The Salvation Army.
After getting comfortable with Vincent I asked him what he was up to lately.
After volunteering my assistance as a movie extra he told me he was just enjoying living his life.
I remember him saying, but don't quote me on this, he had given up movies...and music...
Vincent was very nice to me and seemed honest about his future intentions.
Vincent's wikipedia page states that he is working with Chris Squire, of Yes Fame, on his autobiography.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Gallo
I admire and respect Vincent Gallo as an local actor, director and musician.
I enjoy watching his films and I honestly enjoyed meeting him.
Vincent Gallo appeared briefly in Goodfellas and if you haven't seen Buffalo '66 yet  I would highly recommend it to any Buffalo Bills fan.
Buffalo '66 should be required viewing for anybody who claims to be a true Buffalonian.
After you watch Buffalo '66 check out the controversial The Brown Bunny.


http://www.vincentgallo.com/

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Billy Sheehan, Buffalo NY






OK bass players out there, do you want to know how to go from this pic...


to this pic?...


Well first you get your hands a Fender P-bass like this...


customize the pickups, the neck and the electronics of the bass like this...




and then simply plug the bass into this system of effects and amplifiers...


after you've mastered that amp system, play the bass night and day and day and night in a working band. You must continue playing the bass until the entire finish wears off and even wear off part of the upper pickguard and then maybe someday you'll turn out like this...


Do you think you can do it? Not likely. The point I'm trying to make is Billy Sheehan is one of a kind, they'll never be another like him. You really want to learn how to play bass? Listen to any record Billy has played on and learn the notes. Be true to yourself, keep playing and maybe you'll end up on a magazine cover playing your very own custom made guitar, like Billy.


Billy Sheehan magazine covers from my own personal collection.

Niacin was Billy's venture into jazz-fusion that featured Billy, John Novello & Dennis Chambers. Any fan of jazz-fusion, acid-jazz, progressive rock, jazz, rock and Billy's agressive bass playing should enjoy Niacin.

I believe this pic is from Billy's tenure with David Lee Roth's band. David Lee Roth was the original singer from Van Halen.


Jack Bruce and Billy Sheehan.


Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert.

For those of you out there who don't know who Billy Sheehan is, he's from Kenmore, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. Mr. Big scored a #1 hit in 1992 with "To Be With You". Cool double neck bass, Billy!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

This Is Your Life - Ronnie James Dio



Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on.

To celebrate Dio’s life, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album, entitled This Is Your Life, to raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org). This non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund, which is dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention, was co-founded by Dio’s longtime manager and wife, Wendy Dio. 100% of the monies received from this album by the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund goes directly into cancer research.

About The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a privately funded 501(c)(3) charity organization which has already raised more than $600,000 in its short history.  Monies raised to date have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life.    

The first track to be released from This Is Your Life, a cover of Rainbow’s ‘Starstruck’ re-recorded by the legendary Motörhead featuring Biff Byford of Saxon, is available for streaming on the web now exclusively via Yahoo! Music. The track first appeared last Friday on Eddie Trunk’s Q104.3 FM radio program, and will air again via Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s Hair Nation (Channel 39) via “Eddie Trunk Live” later today. Yahoo! Music, however, is the only place you can hear ‘Starstruck’ via the web, on demand.

Would you like to join Wendy Dio, Rob Halford, Corey Taylor and others in celebrating this release and the life of Ronnie James Dio? Join the celebration at the 3rd Annual Awards Gala and This Is Your Life pre-release listening party on Monday, March 17, 2014 at The Avalon in Hollywood, CA. The gala begins at 6:00PM, and tickets (VIP and GA) are available via www.diocancerfund.org/events. The event will include live performances of songs from the album by Halestorm, Corey Taylor, Jason Christopher, Christian Martucci, Roy Mayorga, Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy and more surprise guests! Head to www.diocancerfund.org for information or to purchase tickets online.

Produced by Wendy Dio, This Is Your Life includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Scorpions, Anthrax, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years. This Is Your Life will be available from Rhino on April 1, 2014, in physical and digital versions.

See below for an the amazing track list, which includes Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines the Rainbow songs “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King,” Rob Halford’s collaboration with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain,” Anthrax and Adrenaline Mob’s takes on “Neon Knights” and “The Mob Rules”, Corey Taylor’s (Stone Sour, Slipknot) cover of the classic “Rainbow In The Dark”, Tenacious D’s (Jack Black and Kyle Glass) spin on “The Last In Line,” and many, many others.


RONNIE JAMES DIO: This Is Your Life Track Listing:

“Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
“The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
“The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
“Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
“Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
“Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
“The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
“Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
“Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
“Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
“I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
“Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
“Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
“This Is Your Life” – Dio

* Previously unreleased