BLACK STONE CHERRY - INSTANT CLASSIC!

2009-04-03T01:19:42Z

What can I say?......I love rock and roll and I recently "discovered" a great band, Black Stone Cherry.

What events led me to unearth this rare, rock and roll gem? A live show, of course! I was not there to see Black Stone Cherry...no, I was there to see another one of my recent discoveries...Theory Of A Deadman (TOAD).

It was October 2008 in Allentown, PA. I was thrilled to get a chance to see TOAD headline a show. I thought the best part of the day would be when I got to meet Tyler and Dean from TOAD...got my picture taken with them. How could this night get any better? Just had to "suffer" through these 2 opening acts I never heard of (The Parlor Mob and Black Stone Cherry).

I was on the rail (the only place to be). The Parlor Mob started to play...."wow...these guys are pretty good" I thought and told my wife. "I think I will buy their CD after the show". Then, this band called Black Stone Cherry came out....they started to play...."DAMN...I don't know that song but it was good!" "That singer can SING!"

A few more songs......."Wow....look at that drummer punish those poor drums.....reminds me of a certain Muppet named ANIMAL!".

A few more......."Look at that guitarist play and kick! That bassist is awesome! WHAT A SHOW", I thought. These guys just blew me away and I do not know a single one of their songs....how rare is that! I am DEFINITELY buying their CD after the show!

Of course, the TOAD show was unbelievable (Tyler, Dean, Dave and Joey......TOP SHELF!).

So, after the show, I hit the band garb booth and I buy this CD by Black Stone Cherry called "FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITION". Put it in my CD player in the truck....it does not come out for MONTHS (only once to copy onto iTunes and finally came out so the band could sign it).

Immediately loved the songs BLIND MAN - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/view.aspx?songID=2395

and

PLEASE COME IN - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/video/view.aspx?songID=2395

So I get invited to a secret acoustic show by Black Stone Cherry (with Halestorm). W-O-W! To hear Chris Robertson sing (unplugged) ....did I say W-O-W? Ben Wells (guitar) was very interactive during the set. John Fred Young (drums) and Jon Lawhon (Bass) put on a show I will never forget. Finally got to meet them after the show and later that night at another concert.

I know it has been said before but these are the nicest, most down to Earth guys you could meet. Very impressed by their demeanor as well at their musical talent.

I got to see them headline 2 nights later in Lancaster.....EASILY one of the best concerts of my life....YOU NEED TO SEE BLACK STONE CHERRY (BSC) HEADLINE !!!

I cannot wait to see them again.

Those who have not heard them before need to listen...those who have not seen them live need to see them....either way, you will be pleasantly surprised!!!

Below are the vids from the acoustic show....enjoy!

Tags: cherry, 03/05/2009, 97.9x, acoustic, ben, black, blackstone, blackstonecherry, blind, blindman

ALTER BRIDGE

2008-05-31T17:13:34Z

My Alter Bridge Odyssey
Category: Music

Everyone....just recently was able to go to 3 Alter Bridge concerts.

My wife and I saw Alter Bridge in Baltimore on 5/15...AWESOME SHOW (with Theory of a Deadman and Airbourne)

Next night my wife and I and 3 of our children saw Alter Bridge in Lancaster (opening act Negative Space). Show was INCREDIBLE and we got backstage passes to meet the band (see photos in my albums).

My oldest and I traveled the next morning to Columbus, OH for ROCK ON THE RANGE...a 2 day rock fest. Saw Stone Temple Pilots, Kid Rock, Disturbed, Staind, Seether, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, and, of course, ALTER BRIDGE.

WHAT A GREAT TIME!

See my photos on my Myspace

I am a member of Alter Bridge's Official Street Team... Fancorps. See link below. Helped me to meet some GREAT fans and make awesome contacts for concerts! All the while helping this GREAT BAND!

Get out to an Alter Bridge concert soon!! Get a copy of their latest album, BLACKBIRD.....it's one GREAT album.

Enjoy!

Matt

Alter Bridge: General Info

Member Since	1/7/2005
Band Website	alterbridge.com
Band Members	Myles Kennedy – Vocals, Guitar Brian Marshall – Bass Scott Phillips – Drums Mark Tremonti – Guitar, Vocals

Here are some links:

www.alterbridge.com

www.myspace.com/alterbridge

http://www.alterbridgeband.net/

http://www.fancorps.com/alterbridge

ALTER BRIDGE

- BLACKBIRD -

After Alter Bridge launched their debut album in the fall of 2004, the last thing that Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, and Brian Marshall could have expected was the need to start over yet again. Perhaps things do happen for a reason, because what could have been a curse turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Alter Bridge’s first album, One Day Remains, was certified Gold by the RIAA and was met with critical acclaim. The band set off on tour in the fall of 2004, playing through the end of 2005 for fervent crowds all over the world. Simultaneously, however, cracks began to tarnish the relationship between the band and its label, Wind-Up Records. Believing that their label did not share the same vision, the band determined their only recourse was to ask to be released from Wind-Up. The label's objections prompted Tremonti and Phillips, using their personal funds, to successfully negotiate and buy the band out of their contract.

Much of 2006 was spent writing new material and interviewing with potential labels. The band was eager to explore their newfound freedom and excited to start recording. After growing tired of waiting, they again dipped into their personal funds to create the album that they wanted and needed to make. For the first time in their careers, no one was looking over their shoulder. It was now just about Alter Bridge and their music.

Alter Bridge recruited producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette. The recording process began in Nashville in February 2007. "We began negotiating our recording contract at the end of 2006, and knew it may take a while to come to mutual terms," Scott Phillips reflects, "but the opportunity, and window of availability to work with Elvis made the decision easy for us to pay for this album ourselves. When all the stars aligned with us, as a band, a producer who could capture the essence of what we had become, and the songs we felt we had, it was agreed that this album had to be made right then and there. We knew we’d eventually have a great label to call home."

The band's focus and determination was rewarded in June 2007, when they finally signed with Universal Republic Records. "We’re thrilled to be partnering up with Alter Bridge," states Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic Records. "They're an incredible band, and they have a strong vision that we share together. When Tom (Mackay, SVP A&R) and I met with the group, we knew instantly that they were the type of talented people we’d want to be in business with."

Out of the chaos, tumult, and uncertainty, Blackbird, Alter Bridge’s sophomore album, was born. "We’re very excited about beginning this chapter in our lives and careers," comments Mark Tremonti. "Universal Republic is a perfect home for us and we’re excited that our fans are finally going to hear all the new songs we’ve been working on for quite some time. This material is really aggressive and I think it’s the best work we’ve ever done. We can’t wait to get back in front of our loyal fans later this year."

There are many differences between One Day Remains and Blackbird. Most notable is the full integration of Myles Kennedy as a guitarist and songwriter. One Day Remains was largely written before Myles came on board. This time around, it was a collaborative effort with Mark and Myles sharing the songwriting duties, while all four band members worked on the arrangements. "It’s a natural evolution after three years of working together. We knew Myles was an amazing singer, that’s why we hired him. What we found out when we toured the first record was that he’s also an incredibly gifted guitar player and songwriter, as well as a vocalist. It would have been a crime not to utilize all that talent. We wanted to use every weapon we had in our arsenal for this album," Mark states.

"Musically," Myles says, "Mark and I really complement one another, especially when you juxtapose his powerful style with my dark and emotional approach. On top of that, we have a common goal, to find the best melody possible. This is really the first time in all my years of writing that I had the opportunity to do a true collaboration with someone. We make a fantastic team."

Lyrically, the album touches on many themes. The subject of addiction is broached in the hard-hitting "Buried Alive" and the beautiful, yet melancholy, "Watch Over You." "Having watched people around me suffer through this issue... It is the realization, from my perspective, that you really can’t help someone who refuses to help themselves," Myles explains.

"Before Tomorrow Comes" became a personal mantra for Kennedy. "It definitely challenges my tendency to be apathetic at times. The line ‘We could be so much more than we are’ is meant to ask the questions: Have you reached your potential? Are you doing everything you can to make a difference?" Regarding "Rise Today" Kennedy states, "We are just asking the question: Could this world be a better place? It may be idealistic, but it’s from the heart. The last thing we want is for people to misinterpret this song as political in nature."

Kennedy’s lyrics for the title track "Blackbird" were written for a friend of his who had been fighting an illness for some time. "As we were completing the music and arrangement of the song, I had received word that his struggle was coming to an end. Lyrically, this was a very difficult song to write. It was my wish for him to finally find some peace and move on to a better place."

Bringing Kennedy into the fold as a guitarist allowed Mark Tremonti to shine throughout Blackbird. Whether it’s the soaring blues based solo on "Brand New Start" or the intense but tasteful lead on "Come To Life," Tremonti shows his evolution as a player. On the title track, both Mark and Myles display their contrasting styles against a sonic tapestry that is sure to take the listener on an emotional journey.

Alter Bridge’s efforts will culminate this fall when Blackbird is released and the band eagerly returns to the road. "First and foremost, we’re a live band," Mark exclaims. "We give it our all every single night no matter how many people we’re playing for. We love playing for the fans more than anything in the world. It’s why we make records." Mark concludes that because of ownership rights and the transition between labels, "there were no Alter Bridge sites, or MySpace sites, so what sustained our fan base was our fan sites. What sustained us was our fans. Our fans took over and carried us through these tough times. So to our fans, we say 'Thank You!'"

Alter Bridge

2008-04-25T20:16:31Z

Alter Bridge is the best rock band on the planet! BLACKBIRD is unbelievable!

snoopymatt

BLACK STONE CHERRY - INSTANT CLASSIC!

ALTER BRIDGE

Alter Bridge