Story by Bonnie Stormcrow

Photos by Frank Rodrick

San Diego (June 17) -San Diego’s House of Blues gets to see a lot of talent, but rarely do they see a band that does such a slap-your-face job of tributing Iron Maiden like Up the Irons did on Friday… And, with a woman lead singer, no less. Shamini  is small in stature, big on beauty, and has a vocal range that any Bruce Dickinson fan would approve of, and then some. Add to that, a theatrical show that includes sword fighting with the devil, and the appearance of Eddie himself, you have the best Tribute to the masters themselves. Metal San Diegans rejoice!  You know how hard that is to get, if you can get it at all.

The biggest surprise? A large amount of under-30 fans, bringing that “new fan” energy, not to mention they all know the words to every song, even “Run to the Hills” in it’s entirety.  Shamini may have started it, but the fans were big on helping her finish it.  Their version of “Stage Crush” would make other tributes jealous. “The Trooper” was perfection, period.

Lead/Rhythm guitarist Richie Klarr, Lead/Rhythm Dan Calma, and Jack Wagner on bass bring that trifecta to all of those songs we love so well. This band knows the fans will eat them if they don’t get it right (You know what I mean).  Drummer Steve La Bella gives you something to think about with his catches and dead on perfection for Maiden’s sound. No holds barred.

Pay attention SanDiego– these guys are local. Don’t miss the next show.

Catch Up The Irons live at Brick by Brick on July 8 (Metalfest), Second Wind on July 29 or Navajo Live on August 29.

San Diego (June 25) At Navajo Live -Monsters of Rock isn’t just your ordinary Heavy Metal cover band.  Yes, they play Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music made popular by other bands.  But that’s where the comparison ends!

According to Sergio Estrada, long time Monsters guitarist and current band maestro, the band’s “mission” is to play the music of the Heavy Metal monster bands that came before all the Hair Metal bands of the 80’s.  They play the music of their youth; bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Dio, and Queensryche, while mixing in their favorite hard rock heavy hitters like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, as well as venturing into the heavy punk and alternative music of the Ramones and Jane’s Addiction.

The band has come a long way since Father’s Day in 2005.  That’s when Sergio auditioned and won the second guitar spot in a new band with his old friend, Tom Hogue (Benedictum), Gavin O’Hara (Sabotage, Street Legal), Ron Lerma (Tea Bag, Piece of Mind) and Jeff Sheets, a relative newcomer to the San Diego scene, who was replaced early on by David Kendall (high school friend of Sergio’s) in 2006.

I saw Monsters for the first time, probably in 2008, at Navajo Live (fka Second Wind).  I have to admit, I was hesitant.  Heavy metal is not my first choice of music and I love to dance.  Precisely the reason Monsters had a tough time breaking into the local music scene; how to get folks to understand that good music is simply good music!  Most of it is 4/4 meter and totally danceable, if that’s what you want.  And if it’s not, then hey, have a drink and just enjoy the music!  I’m just a music lover at heart.  And there is much to love about Monsters!  At the end of the day, they’re just flat out GOOD!

In 2010, Monsters of Rock’s performance at the Viejas Casino’s “Ultimate Music Challenge – Battle of the Cover Bands!” changed everything.  Monsters of Rock, behind their adoring fan base, pulled off 3rd place!  I was there.  They were truly amazing.  As far as I’m concerned, of the 44 bands there, only one band was better and they were not from San Diego!

After the UMC, things changed.  They started playing concert venues like House of Blues, Canes and 4th & B, as well as filling all the local live-music bars.  The best of both worlds for these very talented musicians.  Then in 2014, Monsters parted company with the other-worldly vocals and performance of Ron Lerma.  I get goosebumps thinking about that voice.  We all said it: how the heck do they replace him?  Well, that’s just it.  They can’t and didn’t.  Instead, Monsters of Rock has a rotating group of ridiculously talented vocalists that step in and absolutely kill each and every song.  And they’ve made the decision to only play 3, maybe 4 times a year.  Because they all have other commitments.

Their current lineup is a bit of a reunion for the talented Sergio Estrada (guitar) with his brother, Rogelio Estrada on drums, David Kendall on bass, Gavin O’Hara on guitar, and this night featuring another old friend, Trent Slatton (Sabotage, Hellbent) rotating the vocal duties with sultry songstress, Lauri Randall Vreeland (Relax Max) and Greg Rupp (6ONE9).

Ask any member of a cover or tribute band.  Most of them have made some tough choices along the way.  Many of them either were, or could have been rockstars.  Life calls us all and we all answer but, thankfully, music is never completely silenced.  When you are born with a love of music, the band plays on!

Temecula, Calif -A new day has dawn in the Temecula wine country area with the opening of the amazing Carriage House and amphitheater on the grounds (over 240 acres!!) at Galway Downs. It’s formerly been known as an equestrian center that held some music events but they recently just completed a fantastic venue that will hold up to 1,000 people in the Carriage House and another 1,000 at the amphitheater. We will be christening the new building publicly on June 3rd with the first edition of the new FIRST FRIDAY Singer-Songwriter concert series that will be held on the first Friday of every month. This will feature some of the greatest artists in the Temecula and San Diego region. The first show will include Lee Koch, Daring Greatly, Anthony Cullins & the Vigilantes, and Dulaney & Co. Each act will play for 50 minutes. There will be food and beverages on site along with carriage rides!!!! Come spend a beautiful summer evening outdoors under the stars in this one of a kind venue. This family friendly event will exceed all expectations. Just look at the lineup?!?!?! It all starts at 6 PM and will go until 10 PM so come on out and check it out!!!

Scottie Blinn and Roxanne Coverdale of Black Market III have announced their soon to be released Led Zeppelin project, recorded at their Grease Punk Studio for the Double Barrel Records label.  “It’s our version of Headley Grange, where Led Zeppelin recorded some of their finest songs.”

“I don’t know of anyone else who has had Led Zeppelin CD’s in their car exclusively for the past 3 years.” said Blinn, “Not to mention, both Roxy and I have shared in our deep love of Led Zeppelin since day one, and it reaches back to our childhoods. When we tour, we start with Led Zeppelin I and chronologically work our way through them all. Then we repeat.”

The duo have teamed up with local musicians, Jackson Blinn on drums (who also performed on their last 3 month European tour), Erdis Maxhelaku on cello, Jamie Shadowlight on violin, Joey Harris on mandolin, and Ian McCartor on cajon to record some of their favorite Led Zeppelin songs to be released sometime in July.  More special guests are slated to appear on the CD as well.  In August, BMIII embarks on a 4 month European tour to support the CD titled “Black Country”, a reference to the part of England where Robert Plant and John Bonham are from.

Black Market III have already released the song “Kashmir” on Reverbnation and will soon be recording a video for the same song.  They have also put out a video for the acoustic instrumental “Black Mountain Side”, which can be seen on YouTube and Reverbnation as well.

“For me personally, this (recording of Kashmir) is the pinnacle of my musical career.” said Scottie.  “It speaks for itself, and the musicians all nailed their parts without sounding like they set out to copy the original.”  He goes on to explain, “all of the songs we chose are among our personal favorites, although we love all of their songs!”

“It should come as no surprise that we are paying homage to our all time favorite and most influential, inspiring band.  We’re not a cover band, nor a tribute band.  Of course writing, recording, and having our own music reach the world is above all the most surreal and satisfying, but actually producing, recording, and dedicating a full CD to the music of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham is the ultimate way for us to say Thank You to them.”

“We are constantly digging deeper, finding more rare tracks and videos, and delving into the mystique and intricacy that is Led Zeppelin. We have therefore made the selection of songs as diverse and sometimes as eclectic as the band is, choosing from most of their albums.”

Click here to listen to “Kashmir”

Click here to watch “Black Mountain Side” 

Solana Beach, CA –  Anna Danes Presents is excited to announce the long-awaited return of Jazz On Cedros to Carruth Cellars on June 17th. The extremely popular local urban winery is officially open for business at its newly renovated events space located at 118 South Cedros Ave, Suite C.

For Jazz on Cedros, this will be the 10th performance at Carruth Cellars and both the winery and Anna Danes are happy to be back into the swing of things!

Jazz on Cedros is a sophisticated happy hour bringing the best and brightest performers from the burgeoning San Diego jazz scene together in an intimate listening environment where the music and musicians can truly shine. June 17th will be a night to remember, with such talent as Daneen Wilburn and Sarah Ingraham already confirmed to appear. This event will likely sell out, so anyone planning to attend is encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

Anna Danes, the producer and curator of this successful live music series, reminisces about the very first Jazz on Cedros back in December of 2014. “Wow! I can’t believe the growth we have seen in just a short year and half. We’ve gone from a small group of people not quite knowing what they were in for to standing-room-only audiences who return again and again.” Jazz on Cedros continues to wow the North County community and will be a monthly ongoing event.

Story and photos by Stephanie Pillar

RAMONA, Calif. – Last in Line started as a Ronnie James Dio tribute band with original Dio members, Vinnie Appice, drums, and Vivian Campbell, guitar, and the amazing Andrew Freeman on vocals, On Tuesday, May 24th, they performed with Phil Soussan on bass and Erik Norlander on keyboards.

They roared through a dynamite selection of songs from their debut album, “Heavy Crown”, including “Devil In Me”, as well as many of the classic Dio favorites such as “Last In Line”, “Stand Up and Shout”, and my favorite, “Rainbow In the Dark”, keeping everyone shouting for more!  In classic Dio style, Last in Line closed with “We Rock!” leaving the crowd with their fists raised in the air, ears ringing, hearts racing, breathless for more!

Story and Photos by Stephanie Pillar

SAN DIEGO (May 20) – The Cure at Sleep Train Amphitheater! Take a look at Robert Smith and the Cure, playing a solid THREE hours, yes, I’m NOT kidding, three hours worth of songs from all over their catalog including most of my favorites! Great show from the ever-so-quirky Robert Smith and company!

Story and photo by John Hancock

SAN DIEGO (May 14) – The Piano Man played his only 2016 California show Saturday night at Petco Park.  Billy Joel started the show with “Miami 2017” and the sold out crowd of 42,000 sang and danced along as the hits came one after another until about two and a half hours later when Joel ended his first San Diego appearance in over a decade with, “Only The Good Die Young.”

During his performance he played all of his hits including “Pressure,” “Allentown,” “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” “Say Goodbye To Hollywood,” “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” and of course, “Piano Man.”

Additionally, he did a few covers throughout the set as well. Starting with a brief reference to his co-headlining tour with Sir Elton John, the last time he was in San Diego back in 1995, he played a brief snippet of “Your Song”. He also covered the Eagle’s “Take It Easy,” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and actually had one of his road crew come out and sing AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell.”

Billy dedicated his hit “The Entertainer” to GOP Presidential Nominee Donald Trump. Saying that the candidate had been, at the least, “very entertaining” the last few months.

After a brief intermission, Joel came out for an encore with “Uptown Girl,” followed by “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” “Big Shot,” “You May Be Right” (performed with a Padres jersey clad, Jason Mraz) and closing the show with “Only The Good Die Young.”

This was my first major concert at Petco Park and I have to say it was quite enjoyable. Sitting outside, enjoying San Diego’s beautiful skyline, drinking one of San Diego’s finest beers and listening to one of my favorite performers.

Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait for the “longest time” for Billy to return to San Diego. Mr. Joel don’t be a “stranger.”