Jason Devore - Conviction and the life after

Not many people can say that they've had the chance to hang with Jason DeVore and his wonderful family. I am lucky enough to be a part of this whole family. Today, March 19th, 2013 at 2 pm I sat down with Jason and talked about life, motivation, and how his songs make him feel. 

I have been able to to see JDV a handful of times, and each time it's a new experience, nothing in the world could compare to each show. No matter how many times you hear his songs, sprinkled with some A0 songs and some Bollox songs, JDV brings a certain vibe to the room. With his followers young and old, we all sit and watch in utter amazement as he belts out song after song, hardly taking breaks. Where does he get the strength? Where does this powerful amazing voice come from? This is all a secret I suppose, but where ever it comes from it has emotion, soul. It has a vibrato all its own and makes you want to be on stage with him. 
A few devoted JDV fans (you shall remain nameless chris ;-) DAMN! ) like to hop up on tables, show their love and dedication to this amazing story teller, this bard of sorts. 
With Tipping Point soon to be released on April 2nd, the East European tour that he leaves for on April 4th Jason took the time to sit with me and my nervousness and answer some questions about life, his music and his wife. I was joined by his best friend of 19 years, Saddy Combs owner of LaDep Custom Cruisers and probably one of Authority Zero and JDV's biggest fans. 
Growing up he was inspired by his mom, she knew all the words to the songs on the radio, and he was in awe at how she could do this. Coming from a musical family, J would travel to Mesa, AZ to visit his dad during the summer, and eventually one thing led to the other and they were playing the Nile Basement in MTAZ. This is the wonderful start to Authority Zero. Arizona's original punk band. While many other bands had come before A0, little did these skater punk kids know that they would make something out of virtually nothing. 
JDV wanted to be a professional Skater/Snowboarder and along with that career comes the music. We all know that good tunes on the street or slopes motivates us to shred that triple black diamond or master that rail slide.
He writes the songs that relate to us, he sings the songs we want to hear and he loves his fans and family. At one of the very first JDV shows I met a young man, who explained that One More Minute was what kept his head in the game in Afghanistan. Deployed as a naval Corpsman and stationed in the middle east, this was the song that reminded him of coming home safe. When I am at a JDV show, I watch people; I watch their reaction to how J sings, moves and the how he pumps the crowd up. To be a witness to the A0 mosh pit is exciting, invigorating. 
Talking to J today, I was able to see a different side of him. I was able to see the gleam in his eye, the passion in his voice and his nervousness as he preps for another tour. I can see that he is mentally prepping himself for whatever may come and you can see that, while a seasoned musician he gets on stage every night and plays as though its his first show. This is not a bout of nervousness, this is the feeling of adrenaline, the amped feeling you get when your faced with such an overwhelming task, but you complete it and at the end of the show, the end of the day your shaking, because it was one helluva ride. 
I can't wait to see what JDV and Authority Zero have in store. All I know is that after almost 16 years of being a fan and hearing their music I will always and forever remain a loyal and faithful A0 fan. 

Wanna hear the interview? Check it out here! 
https://soundcloud.com/ladepcustomcruisers/jason-devore


http://youtu.be/3aqi23-BBLA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tonovKKYyxY&feature=share&list=AL94UKMTqg-9BEjg7PGgsk59GIZdxERswI

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorityZero?fref=ts

Poolsyde - Demo tracks

Emotion.
Feel good vibes.
Inviting.
Irie.

These words describe the feel good sounds of Poolsyde. Mixed with a blend of unique, witty, funny, and a slightly sarcastic cats Poolsyde send those feel good vibes up your spine. They sound exactly what fusion punk should sound like. Harmonizing delicately but melodiously making the sounds come to life.

Their stage presence is unique. You can tell they are ready to move when the band starts to move in unison. Todd (guitar/vocals) does a quick tune, closes his eyes and starts to sway, James scans the crowd finding the one person he can serenade, Carmen looks out and it seems like he prepares himself and Levi is ready.

The music starts, and the band sways. The music pumps through your veins and all of a sudden you want to be on the beach, listening to the waves crash, a cold beer in your hand and Poolsyde singing just for you. Gypse and The Love Around You are the two songs that really define the band their sound and their vibe.

Hanging out with these cats and being honored to hear them live, I've learned that they each bring the right amount of rock star to the stage. They have nailed the idea and sound of fusion punk and there is definitely room for improvement. Id like to hear more from them in the future. I've been privy to private sounds, I am impressed at the talent brought together to make Poolsyde. With the drive and desire they can make their name a household commodity.

Check out their tunes at http://www.reverbnation.com/Poolsyde

This video features Mike Malekar and Evan and is definitely one of my favs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAwR9F2oy8

Like their Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/Poolsyde480?fref=ts

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Festival 2012 - 80 Proof

Spending time with these cats was insanity! From the campfire acoustic sessions, to their onstage presence. They are truly a Reggae/Punk band....they are the bastard children of the Sublime movement, this is the kind of band you listen to when you're surrounded by those you love the most, bbq'ing, sitting around the campfire, making love to your old lady (Better than the Lovage album I cherish so much!)

The ingredients that make up this amazing dish of reggae/punk/Sublime like dessert: 

Evan Manriquez - Vocals
Daniel Cooper - Vocals/Guitar
Joel Catello - Guitar
Aubrey Rivera - Bass
Sean Fleming - Drums
Alex Williamson - Keys/Percussion

It can only be described as being reborn. Music that makes your feet move, your heart beat to the sounds, the blood flowing through your body keeping perfect rhythm, hips moving, sensuality, nothing compares to this band. 

Yeah they sound like Sublime, maybe 311........but I think one of these cats was spawned from the loins of Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bradley Nowell and Rita Marley. Goosebumps spread over my flesh sitting here in this swank coffee shop. I can't get enough, I'm hooked. They are the heroin I am the junkie. And I am OK with this.

Favorite tracks? #2 Vixen #4 Got UR # #5 Medicine and  #6 Joe Rogan

Inspiring. Relaxing. Addictive. I love the reggae beats, the true nature of their sound and their overall personalities. Sitting around the campfire on a cool Saturday night, Alex joined us for an acoustic jam session with Riley from Raina- Fire on guitar he flowed out an unforgettable song. These kids enjoy what they do. 

After 13 hours on the road from LA to get to Canyon Lake Campgrounds, they were in good spirits. After being ass tagged by a drunk driver, they were still in good humor. I had the honor of being a part of this weekend festival, so much talent, cute guys and a few cute girls. Evan, Alex and the rest of the crew proved to be the sound of the future.

If you ever had a reason to buy a CD this would be it. I can't wait until I hear their music on the radio, crank it up and dance shoeless in the grass. Thoughts, memories of those 2 days making me smile. I am forever addicted. Dont ever stop doing what you love! 

80 Proof! Be my heroin. Worth traveling for. 

http://www.facebook.com/80proofmusic

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744594270/80-proof-full-length-album

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Fesitval 2012 - Libertine Social

When I listen to a band, I won't be like the anal retentive Driver's License dude checking you off for drifting around a corner. No. You will get my experience, how the music made me feel and if I felt it was worthy of actually writing about. 

Libertine Social, I had the pleasure of doing an acoustic jam the night before they played the Team Trick Canyon Music Fest, with these cats. A voice to serenade you on a cool night in October, the water lapping as they started playing. Eric started singing....and the rest just fell into place. The peaceful night was softly filled with the melodies of an amazing acoustic guitar, and a Bougarabou or better known as the conga...there is an enigmatic sense of being serenaded. Exuding a genuine vibe, they guys are just as down to earth as their music. 

Eric's voice is beautiful. Caressing your ears....playfully teasing you....

Don't believe me? You can become entranced by checking out their ReverbNation or Facebook pages.....You will thank me later.

http://www.reverbnation.com/libertinesocial

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Libertine-Social/292024154237821

Canyon Lake Music and Arts Festival 2012 - Radio Box

The collab on this band is insane. There are really only a few words I can use to define who they are, what they sounded like and well lets be honest, the talent in this group....

6 String bass? Check. 

Fearless sound? Check. 

Lets take a minute and do some Sci-fi low fi DNA mixing. Take 7 Mary 3, The Ramones, The  NY Dolls, The Misfits, with a sprinkle of Five Finger Death punch and bake at 500 degrees, serve with a side of toe tingling, finger gripping sounds and you get Radiobox. 

I enjoyed the sound, the stage presence but most importantly the sound and of course the 6 string bass (seriously fucking awesome!) the ambiance of the entire experience was worth listening to. My fave song out of the set? Someone Else Than me. 

You can cop their tunes on their ReverbNation site http://www.reverbnation.com/radiobox

Or check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/radioboxband

The after hours acoustic jam was even better. I was able to spend time getting to know Mike, feel his personality out, and enjoy his voice. 

Mike Engelhardt - Lead Vocals

Alfred Trujillo - Lead Guitar

Hans Homberg - Drums

Bruce Goode - Bass