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

Inept Hero - Untitled

If ever there were a CD I listened to many times over that my CD player finally called me a filthy pirate hooker it was this time. I have spent nearly a year trying to put words to the sounds of Inept Hero and each time I sit down to write I come up with a blank page. The moment I was able to write something I tossed it because I realized that I didn't want to write a bad review on a good band, but rather a good review on a band that could use some live sound work but isn't close to be classified as bad.

That band is Inept Hero.

Listening to this band is like laying on your back in a field and letting the crisp and pure sounds of nature molest your body over and over. Aarin, Beau, Rusty and Uzziel come together to build the perfect house of punk rock sounds.

I would list them as my 3rd favorite punk rock band. They are melodious, with rock star drumming, musical guitar riffs, lyrics and vocals that you feel are slowly pulling your soul from your body, maybe speaking directly about the situation you might currently be in.

Inept Hero will clearly be amongst the giants to rise form the ashes of AZ Punk history. Following Authority Zero (cira 1995), Phish, Gin Blossoms, Meat Puppets, Phunk Junkeez, Opiate for the Masses and Carolines Spine (youtube that shit you newb!!)

I will gladly accept listening to Aarin serenade my soul as I board down the AZ slopes, ride my motorcycle across the desert or on a road trip. This is a necessary must have on your play list.

There is a downside. Yep here it is guys, Inept Hero is amazing, good sound, solid vocals and no one instrument drowns out the other....BUT...the live sound is not the best. I have had the chance to listen to them in several different settings but still their sound mutilates my ears. I want to blame the sound guy (you all know there is that one 'sound guy' who sucks a bag of dicks) and so for now I will continue to place blame there.

Here are a couple of goals I have set for Inept Hero:
1) Get your asses on the Warped Tour bill for AZ
2) We need to get you more radio play
3) You need to be on the 2014 bill for the Punk Bowl in Vegas.

I want Inept to be the band you notice when you walk into the room....and surely they will remember you when you're around. They love their fan base and are always welcoming and giving of hugs and smiles.

Check out their sounds at
www.ineptheromusic.com
www.facebook.com/inepthero
www.myspace.com/inepthero

Tha WiKiD onE - Cause and Infect

Tha WiKiD onE. 

Another mic killer from the 602. Moved. Motivated. Driven. 
With names like Bizarre from D12 reppin his Cause and Infect LP this kid should be going somewhere. 

I follow him, cyber stalking his moves from PA to Cali. Watching and waiting for his next move. With his Death of an Emcee video his words speak clearly on how he feels. Beats thump in my ears as I listen to his LP, mixed and dubbed, shaken not stirred. Smooth like a Mission Impossible agent can only be, he infects your brain with his words, his beats, his presence. 

I don't know what his purpose is. I don't know who his heroes are. I don't know his next move. I do know you will be sick with words from his mouth to your ears. Is Mission Infect Mission Impossible? You decide. 


Infect your brain. Infect your ears. Spread it. Infect


http://www.facebook.com/thawikidone
Http://www.thawikidone.net

SUPPORT LOCAL AZ HIP HOP!!!!!

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 Festival 2012 - BirdCity

Two words come to mind when I think of BirdCity....

FUCKING RAD. 

Like a rare vintage wine, BirdCity brings a little Me First and the Gimme Gimme's to the table, and for those of you who know local band Carolines Spine, Loki brings that sound, the one you dream about. The one that makes you feel like you're in a scene from a Midsummers Night. THIS is the soundtrack for your dreams.

Forget Rick Flair and Nature boy, BirdCity is the only Flair that matters. Proud of their hometown, Phoenix, AZ, Birdcity represents everything that is RIGHT with local music. Fresh. 

I love the way they pull off the classic rock songs, hitting notes and beats that would make Jim Morrison tap his foot. You can't label their sound. They aren't punk, adult alternative, they aren't even rock. They will go down in history as being in a genre all their own. Legends in their own right.

Standing in the grass at the Canyon Lake Music and Arts fest, I realized that my feet were planted firmly, eyes closed, letting the sounds seep into my soul washing away my worries and giving me a chance to be a part of something much bigger. 

The sounds from Bird City gently stroking my ear drums, Loki singing his rendition of Awolnations Sail, I was transformed. Music feeds the soul, and I have a fat kid soul. Beautiful. Fresh. Heart thumping. Unbridled. 

Worth a listen. But only because Bird City is FUCKING RAD.