Queens, New York based rock outfit King Falcon are shifting into high gear with new single ‘Cadillac’. Melding indie-rock adventurousness with Classic Rock swagger, King Falcon’s ultra-catchy songwriting recalls artists like Cage The Elephant, The Killers, The Strokes, and Tame Impala. The band played a rousing SRO set at The Gathering Conference in Las Vegas recently and is using that momentum for a 2 month residency at the famed Bowery Electric in NYC, with tour dates being booked for the summer and plans to release additional music later this year.
‘Cadillac’ was produced by Marshall Altman (Citizen Cope, Matt Nathanson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Mark Broussard) and mixed by 12-time Grammy-nominated mixing engineer and producer Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Fleetwood Mac, The Airborne Toxic Event). The song is brimming with earworm-worthy guitar riffage, a soaring chorus, soulfully melodic lead vocals, and vibrant indie-rock atmospherics.
In talking about the genesis of “Cadillac’, King Falcon’s Michael Rubin says “My best friend has had this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado parked in his garage for as long as I’ve known him. Every single time that we saw each other, I would pester him about trying to get it started so we could take it for a joyride. The car hadn’t moved in years – but it wasn’t in bad shape or anything, it had just atrophied as all mechanical things tend to do when they sit around unused and unloved”. He continues “One day I decided to take matters into my own hands. I showed up at his house with a couple of tools and a can of starter fluid and before you know it, we were cruisin’ down the boulevard in this unregistered Cadillac with 40 year old tires. That old Caddy turns WAY more heads than any new Lamborghini or Ferrari! The second I heard the engine roar to life I knew that this was a special moment that I wanted to write about.”
The “Cadillac” video snapshots an actual Ferris Bueller-like joyride with his buddy’s red, rare bird 1957 Eldorado Cadillac. Rubin continues “I got to drive this beauty with no brakes, no plates, and a flat tire—everybody, including the cops, waved as I cruised this spaceship around the neighborhood. It broke down twice while we were filming, and we had to push that two and a half ton beast uphill on a gravel road. We were able to mix in some epic animation to enhance the storyline of the video, we hope everyone enjoys it!”
Michael Rubin is the creative driving force behind King Falcon, but drummer and sometimes recording engineer James Terranova is essential to the band’s spirit. His fastidious, plan-ahead persona is the perfect counterpoint to Michael’s freewheeling personality, and the pair have an old-married-couple kind of connection. “I would take a bullet for him, but I may also be that person to shoot him,” Michael jokes. Up until now, King Falcon has been a guitar and drums duo, but the twosome is welcoming drummer Tom Diognardi and moving James to bass.
In 2020, the duo released the funky and infectiously catchy single, “Shake! Shake! Shake!” However, the pandemic cleared King Falcon’s calendar before it even got a chance to play a show. The guys made the most of the situation by sending the unreleased song, “When The Party Is Over,” out to labels. “That song represented me trying to convince my parents, and myself, that I could get somewhere playing guitar,” Michael says. The song turned out to be aces for the band – they emailed the song to Mascot, and the next day was awarded with a recording contract.
“When The Party Is Over” is an irresistible, moody mid-tempo rocker teeming with ear worm melodies. The song explores lonely New York late-night living with gritty candor, and it comes alive via a darkly alluring video. “We got chased through the park by a crazed man with a knife while making the song’s video,” Michael remembers.
King Falcon has resumed its pre-pandemic plans of playing its first live shows and touring. “It took two and a half years to get here,” Michael says, pausing thoughtfully. “If you asked me when I first got my guitar if we would get a label and be where we are today, I would have said, ‘oh yeah, no problem,’ but I’ve learned the reality of it all isn’t that simple. It is amazing to be where we are today, but it was definitely a challenging journey.”
King Falcon is:
Michael Rubin – Lead Guitar and Vocals James Terranova – Bass
May 16, 2023 – Denver, CO based metal musician and front-man JASON NEIL, formerly of Arcanium, has brought together a new cast of some of the most creative characters with his newest heavy rock band, MIND INCISION! Formed in September 2022, MIND INCISION also includes lead guitarist JON MAGGARD, bassist AEON CRUZ (MOTOGRATER), rhythm guitarist KYLE LOUCKS, and drummer KELLY MORSE, making them a “super group” of some of the best independent metal talent!
I did some really sweet tours with Arcanium over the 5 or 6 years we toured. Bullet For My Valentine, Butcher Babies, Ill Nino, Otep, and Machine Head were amongst some of the funnest. What’s cool is the very first tour I scored as the vocalist of Arcanium, was with Megadeth. I grew up listening to Megadeth and was completely floored that Dave Mustaine had hand picked us for their tour. The difference between Mind Incision and Arcanium for me is that the band writes music that is diverse. There is slow melodic tones and riffs, and also chunky driving powerhouse riffs. So the album came out great! We’re currently seeking tours and have a couple offers on the table, as well as generated some industry professional interest since coming back to the scene with Mind Incision. I think this band is going to take off. We’re not here to fuck around and party. We are here to get out there and do some incredible things with the music we are creating for some good causes as well as for the fans, and if you liked I first 3 singles, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
“‘Zero230’ is inspired by soldiers who are suffering from PTSD or anyone that knows someone who is or has suffered in the past. In this song we talk about how a soldier wakes up in the middle of the night from dreams that take him back to the war and how it affects his/her everyday life. With no actual way to get rid of it. If you know someone that is suffering from PTSD please get them the help they need by sharing these links and phone numbers below.” – MIND INCISION
Alt.Pop artist Little Hurt (the solo project of Colin Dieden, former lead singer of The Mowglis) has announced his new album ’Lovely Hours’ will be released on May 12th on The Century Family.
The 10 track album has been 2 years in the making and includes the singles “Buttercup”(Featuring The Ready Set), “Cooler If U Did”, “Get Out Of My Life”, “Pineapple Pizza” and “See You Again”. The “Lovely Hours” album pre-saves/pre-orders are ongoing. A video for the album focus track “I Can Do Better Than You” is in the final stages of production and will be released alongside the album.
Dieden says of the “Lovely Hours” LP “I decided to name the album after the song of the same name because I felt like it perfectly encapsulated what I’ve been going through for the last few years. It rounded out what this record sounds like: Sonically happy – but with sad lyrics”.
Track Listing: 1). Lovely Hours 2). Get Out Of My Life 3). Modern Art 4). I Can Do Better Than You 5). Laughing At Myself 6). Pineapple Pizza 7). See You Again” 8). Buttercup (Featuring The Ready Set) 9). Cooler If U Did 10). Down Bad For You (Featuring Stu Da Boi)
Dieden has proven to be a prolific songwriter who has been pumping out hit after hit since he debuted as Little Hurt in 2019, having amassed more than 33 million total audio streams to date. “Better Drugs” and “Good As It Gets” helped establish his solo career after spending nearly 10 years as lead singer of alternative stalwarts The Mowgli’s. “My Head Hurts” became an instantly memorable track that received Advanced Placement and regular rotation on SiriusXm Alt. Nation, as well playlist adds at Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and Amazon Music. ‘Alaska’ was a hit during the summer of 2021, spending 4 weeks at #1 on SiriusXM Alternative Nation Top 18 Countdown, charting Top 35 on Alternative Radio nationally and placement on key Alternative playlists on all major streaming services. Little Hurt career accelerated with the release of his “Every Second” EP receiving plaudits from several press outlets, including Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Alternative Press, Pop Matters, American Songwriter, Music Connection, and more. He’s an in-demand cowriter and performer who was featured on the song “19” with New Dialog and “Lonely” with Twin XL and Rad Horror.
Summer tour dates are currently in the works to support the “Lovely Hours” LP.
Today Arejay Hale of Halestorm and Taylor Carroll of Lit revealed their first single and video as Kemikalfire. Watch the video for “Dead and Gone” here.
The track follows the live debut of the duo at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood in January of this year.
Kemikalfire will play their first show in Hale’s adopted hometown of Nashville on May 3. The show has moved from a May 4 date at The Basement to the larger venue The Basement East, the day prior, May 3. Tickets already purchased to the May 4 show at the Basement will be honored at the new date and venue, May 3 at the Basement East.
Kemikalfire’s roots stem from the unlikeliest of places – the Mall of America parking lot where, in 2009 Hale and Carroll met as their tour buses were fortuitously parked side by side and the two hatched the idea to collaborate. Yet the global pandemic in 2020 provided them the downtime they never had as successful touring musicians and paved the way for writing sessions through Zoom, FaceTime, and occasionally in the studio together.
Hale and Carroll enlisted the help of producers and writers Scott Stevens and Erik Ron to develop the first demos and solidify the unique sound and direction of the band.
“Dead and Gone” gives fans the first glimpse of what is to come.
“Kemikalfire is a pathway to release for any and all feelings, frustrations and struggles we all experience in our worlds and in ourselves,” said Arejay Hale. “‘Dead And Gone’ was written from a genuine and honest question: how will we be remembered after we die, if even remembered at all? It’s a song we hope can encourage those to make positive change, chase fulfillment in their lives, live and die with no regrets and never having to ask themselves, ‘what if?’”
“Kemikalfire Is therapy for me,” said Taylor Carroll. “There’s not one lyric in our songs that isn’t truthful to what we’re conveying through our music. ‘Dead and Gone’ is a very personal song to me that asks the question that I’ve been wondering for years: ‘Will I be remembered?’ I feel that every single person in this world is here to express their full potential, and I feel that we all want to leave a legacy behind. This is truly a song for the underdog and for those who feel like they want to feel valued and important in this world. We feel the same. We see you.”
DEVORA has released a video for ‘Pornstar’ ahead of a new slate of tour dates with Bush in April. The genre-bending artist melds Goth Pop sensibilities with a Modern Country ethos into a sound that is compelling.
‘Pornstar’ is a new track from her recently released “God Is Dead’ EP. In speaking about the song, DEVORA says “Pornstar’ is about culturally embracing darkness in all forms, pridefully. When I’m writing songs I love towing the lines between, “Is this a dream, or is it a nightmare? Maybe it’s a bit of both. I love painting a picture of heaven and hell intertwined to the point where you can’t tell the difference. I have an obsession for horror movies, Tarantino classics and western cinema. I paint an explicitly clear visual picture in my songs using all five of the senses to the point where you can literally feel, see, and taste the environment around you. You feel like you’re right in it”.
She continues “Another facet that I wanted to explore was how there is such a dark side to the porn industry, and I wanted to poke some holes through this. I think the American porn star is a modern-day pageant queen, and there are so many dynamics and complexities surrounding this topic. There’s been a lot of backlash historically with celebrity figures in this industry – so I’m sort of flipping that on its head for this song with lyrics like ‘I Love that you hate me’. It’s definitely an empowering “F-You” to any haters, as well as a prideful boast of identity and origins alike. I particularly love the 90’s porn aesthetic and the visuals surrounding it (think Pamela Anderson Lee, Jenna Jameson, etc.) so that’s also where the idea for this song popped off from”.
The video was filmed in a trailer park in the Salton Sea area of Southern California by Felicity Jayn Heath. DEVORA says “Felicity is great to collaborate with, and she really nailed the location and setting for the ‘Pornstar’ video. That area is becoming desolate and abandoned, and I think visually it really helps drive home the theme of the song”.
2023 has been a very busy year thus far for the rising Y’Alternative artist, who will be embarking on a 2nd round of tour dates as direct support for Bush (see below). She previously released “Bonesaw” (also directed by Heath) as the 1st focus track for the ‘God Is Dead” EP, which was produced by Alex Aldi (Passion Pit, Holy Ghost!) and Cass Dillon (Goo Goo Dolls, Grey Daze). The EP was mixed by Tony Hoffer (M83, Beck) and released on his Tiger Tones Record label.
DEVORA has previously released 6 singles and her debut EP Outlaw. She has received positive press at American Songwriter, Alternative Press, Revolver Magazine, INKED, Atwood Magazine, Substream Magazine, Tinnitist, and Earmilk, among others. DEVORA has amassed more than 3.2 million cumulative audio streams of her music to date. She recently toured nationally with Bush (Additional dates below), while also honing her live show with solo dates in Southern California.
DEVORA – Upcoming Tour Dates with Bush: Wednesday, April 26th – Hampton Beach Ballroom – Hampton Beach, NH Thursday, April 27th – Premiere Theater @ Foxwoods – Mashantucket, CT Saturday, April 29th – The Meadows Racetrack and Casino – Washington, PA Sunday, April 30th – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
Fresh off the news that she would be returning to her role as guitarist with the legendary Alice Cooper, Los Angeles-born guitar hero and musical force of nature Nita Strauss has just announced her brand new single “Winner Takes All,” featuring none other than Cooper himself.
“When we were working on the music for this album, there was no question that I wanted to create a song to collaborate with my longtime boss and friend, the legendary Alice Cooper,” Strauss exclaims. “I think the track accomplishes what we set out to do — showcase Alice’s voice and signature style on the backdrop of a heavy, modern rock track. After many years of lending my style of playing to Alice’s music on stage, it was truly an honor to work together and hear his voice on one of my songs!”
Stay tuned for more new music from Strauss.
NITA STRAUSS + ALICE COOPER ON TOUR: 4/28 — Mount Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle 4/29 — Youngstown, OH — Covelli Centre 5/2 — Fort Wayne, IN — Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 5/3 — Milwaukee, WI — Miller High Life Theatre 5/6 — Bemidji, MN — Sanford Center 5/9 — Champaign, IL — State Farm Center 5/10 — Louisville, KY — Louisville Palace Theater 5/13 — Knoxville, TN — The Tennessee Theatre 5/14 — Spartanburg, SC — Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium 5/15 — North Charleston, SC — North Charleston Performing Arts Center 5/17 — Shreveport, LA — Shreveport Municipal Auditorium 5/18 — Biloxi, MS — Beau Rivage Theatre 5/20 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville*
WITH DEF LEPPARD + MOTLEY CRUE: 8/5 — Syracuse, NY — JMA Wireless Dome 8/8 — Columbus, OH — The Ohio State University Ohio Stadium 8/11 — Fargo, ND — Fargodome 8/13 — Omaha, NE — Charles Schwab Field Omaha 8/16 — Tulsa, OK — Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium 8/18 — El Paso, TX — Sun Bowl Stadium
CO-HEADLINE “FREAKS ON PARADE” TOUR WITH ROB ZOMBIE: 8/24 — Dallas, TX — Dos Equis Pavilion 8/26 — Tampa, FL — Mid-Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre 8/27 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre 8/29 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park @ Walnut Creek 8/30 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre 9/1 — Tinley Park, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre 9/2 — Des Moines, IA — Wells Fargo Arena 9/5 — Clarkston, MI — Pinke Knob Amphitheatre 9/6 — Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage 9/8 — Scranton, PA — The Pavilion @ Montage Mountain 9/9 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health Theatre @ Jones Beach 9/10 — Hartford, CT — XFINITY Theatre 9/12 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena 9/15 — Bonner Springs, KS — Azura Amphitheatre 9/16 — Englewood, CO — Fiddler’s Green 9/19 — Ridgefield, WA — RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheatre 9/20 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre 9/22 — Concord, CA — Pavilion 9/23 — Anaheim, CA — Honda Center 9/24 — Phoenix, AZ — Ak-Chin Pavilion
ABOUT NITA STRAUSS: Nita Strauss has dazzled over a million live audience members per year across six continents worldwide. Fans may recognize Nita from her tours with Alice Cooper, Demi Lovato, and as the official guitarist of the Los Angeles Rams NFL team, as well as her successful career as a solo artist. Her 2022 single “Dead Inside,” featuring David Draiman of Disturbed, became the first song by a female solo artist to go to #1 at rock radio. Nita’s skill, exuberant stage presence, and love for all things about her instrument have earned her a stellar reputation in the music industry and endorsements including Ibanez Guitars, Marshall Amplification, DiMarzio pickups, Monster Energy, and more. She has been featured on the covers of worldwide print magazines including Guitar World and Guitar Player, and on dozens of albums, trailers, and soundtracks. Nita’s second album is due in 2023. Her debut solo album Controlled Chaos is currently available worldwide through Sumerian Records. NITA STRAUSS ONLINE:
Thanks for taking some time to chat with From the Green Room
What’s the name of the band?
St.Anacletus: HOSTIA
Where are you from?
St.Anacletus: HELL.
What type of music do you play?
St.Anacletus: Godless Groovy Grind!
Introduce yourselves to the readers and tell us what you do in the band?
St.Anacletus: Guitar and composing.
This is probably a common question but one that most want to know, what musical influences did you have growing up, and what are some now?
St.Anacletus: Show me the one who wants to know! Lets say I am a child of thrash and death metal.
Have you always been into music? Was it something that just came to you naturally?
St.Anacletus: Yeah, I guess I am into music since I was 9 years old and pretty soon I wanted not only to listen to but to play as well.
What can we expect from the band in the rest of 2022 and beyond into 2023?
St.Anacletus: Hopefully a lot of shows! We have some festivals confirmed, but we aim for more to play “Nailed” album live as much as possible cause it is hella fun to play!
For someone who wants to know more about the band, were can they find you at? And were can they find your music?
Thanks for taking some time to chat with From the Green Room
What’s the name of the band?
The band is called Minneriket. The name roughly translates into “The realm of memories”. As a concept, Minneriket is this unique realm, transcending the worldly and the profane. The name is nostalgic by nature: not necessarily looking back but mirroring a cyclical weltanschauung reflecting memories as both experiences, hopes, dreams and wishes.
Where are you from?
Norway, born and raised.
What type of music do you play?
When I launched Minneriket I labeled the music as “Romantic black metal”, challenging the orthodox understanding of what constitutes black metal as a genre, and removing the shackles of genre limitations and audience expectations. I define Romantic black metal as a musical artform that combines and incorporates themes and aesthetics associated with romanticism with the unique atmosphere of Norwegian black metal.
Introduce yourselves to the readers and tell us what you do in the band?
My name is Stein Akslen and I am the sole and founding member of Minneriket. I compose, record, write and produce everything. Lately I have been collaborating with several session musicians on the previous and upcoming album, but in general I do everything myself and Minneriket is a one-man band.
This is probably a common question but one that most want to know, what musical influences did you have growing up, and what are some now?
Growing up it was a lot of Iron Maiden, Offspring, Bad Religion, Burzum, Mayhem and Gorgoroth. I guess you can still hear the punk-inspiration in my black metal, but I think Minneriket has forged a very unique sound. I like to be influenced by different genres and not limit myself, so I listen to a lot of ambient, classical, hiphop and singer-songwriter music.
Have you always been into music? Was it something that just came to you naturally?
For as long as I can remember I have both been listening to and wanting to create music. There really was no other choice. Life is very poor without the gift of music.
What can we expect from the band in the rest of 2022 and beyond into 2023?
I’m about to complete the demo recording of the new Minneriket album as we speak. The writing was completed last autumn, and I’ve been mapping up the ideas in the studio since then. I doubt the album will be completed this year, but hopefully I’ll be able to share a single either late this year or early next year. I focus 100% on completing it first. Most of the guitars are done, and drum recording should start soon.
For someone who wants to know more about the band, were can they find you at? And were can they find your music?
The best source of information is of course the official Minneriket website at www.minneriket.com. Also be sure to follow on social medias for the latest updates and sneak peaks into new music and general banter. The music is available on all large streaming services, and there are links to both merchandise and music on my website.
Let’s answer some fun questions, what is your all time favorite band?
Hard to choose, I enjoy a lot of different music. But I always come back to Burzum, Nick Cave, Bruce Dickinson and The Offspring.
If you could tour with any band and open or have them open for you, who would you choose?
Minneriket is a one-man band and a studio project, touring does not interest me. Let’s say Minneriket could go live if I got Darkthrone as an opening act.
Thanks for chatting with me From the Green Room and look forward to chatting again in the future.
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