GUITARIST/SONGWRITER /AUTHOR ALAN GWYLLT HAS DIED

Los Angeles, CA — Alan George Gwyllt (Justin Alan Kase), 64, born  January 6, 1955, died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the home of a close friend in Los Angeles.

He leaves daughter Alisha Ellison (Brian) and son, Justin Kase, grandchildren Vincent Joseph age 15, and Hudson Robert age 3, sister Karen (Gwyllt) Heddle, and many friends and fans.

Alan with Alisha

Alan grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan the son of Hazel and Les Heddle Sr. who supported his musical dreams throughout their lives.

Alan's home on Sheridan St. in Ypsilanti was the hub of all the local teenage musicians (and fans) with his rehearsal (garage) in the back yard of the neighbor's house. The Garage was the coolest place to hang out as a young teen. Everyone I know has a favorite story of being in the garage watching Air rehearse.

 Alan, Scott, Rich, and manager Jim Vanheck

He had a magical gift for playing just about any instrument he picked up.
In his early years, Alan’s parents had given him some very quality instruments.

He had a Guild semi hollow-body 6-string guitar, an Ampeg amplifier with a 15” speaker, a Wurlitzer electric piano, a Farfesia organ and a Shure microphone. He even owned a Sitar! He continued to collect rare instruments throughout his life. Rich Nisbet

The first popular band that formed in the "Garage" was named Blue Air. Rich Nisbet (bass/vocals), Dave Haushalter (guitar), Scott Carter (drums/vocals), and Alan on guitar and various other instruments... Haushalter left the band and it became a 3 piece known as Air.

In 1998, Alan, Scott, and Rich did a one-night reunion of “Air” at TC's Speakeasy in Ypsilanti. They performed “I Wanna Be Free” and “Words of Love”, just like they had done at a talent show 31 years earlier in Junior High.

In 1972 Air went into a studio in Detroit to record 2 originals; “Jump Back” and “Twelve O’Clock Satanial”. They were released on 45 rpm.

In 2018, Kanye West sampled Twelve O’Clock Satanial on an album called “Daytona” that he was producing for Pusha T. The song "If You Know You Know" was written by Terrence Thornton Kanye West Alan Gwyllt and Richard Nisbet.  Pusha T performed it on the Jimmy Kimmel show that year and the album was nominated for a Grammy®.

Masquerade

L-R Alan, Bill Jones, Jim King, Ken Gilbert, and Rich Nisbet

Alan and Rich had a jam session with Jim King (keyboards) and Bill Jones (drums), and by adding fantastic lead singer Ken Gilbert they formed the second version of Ann Arbor the band “Masquerade”.

The band played clubs and colleges in Michigan, Indiana and the famous underground bar in Chicago, “Mothers”. But “Second Chance” in Ann Arbor would become their “home” performance venue.

Masquerade with new drummer Neil Buchanan and Mgr Jim Goldberg 

After Masquerade went their separate ways, Alan began pursuing a country music career. He wrote many country songs that he sent to Nashville. He won a Charlie Daniel's band songwriting competition twice. He later relocated to Tennessee and changed his name to Justin Alan Kase to pursue his new dream in country music.

Alan had a passion for so many things, not just music, the list is quite vast, here are some of the ones we remember.

He loved rescuing animals and we all thought he might become a Veterinarian some day. He at various times had a Tarantula, Scorpion, many Raccoons and a Kinkajou!  Rich remembered his saltwater aquarium. He raised many baby raccoons/possums and took in many stray animals over his lifetime.

Alan's day job over the years was as an upholsterer.  He had a pretty good clientele going before his move to Tennessee.

He loved Karate (a black belt), writing, songwriting/arranging/recording, poetry, video games, and was a huge Science Fiction fan.

In 2007, Alan moved to West Florida to be with his parents. He began writing his books there. After his parents passed, He relocated briefly to New Orleans and then on to Los Angeles.

In 2011, as Al G Gwyllt, he became a published author of 6 Sci-Fi books. Here are but 3 of them. Amazon has them all.

Jan. 2018 he moved in with his good friend Doug Brandon and after many years of struggling with end-stage Cirrhosis of the Liver, he passed away in his room April 24, 2019, at 11:55 pm PST.

At this time there are no plans for a funeral/memorial. We will post that info as it comes in. His loving daughter Alisha has asked that if anyone would like to make a contribution to Michigan Rehabilitation Center Home of New Vision in Alan's name. Rock on old friend...xoK

Many thanks to Rich Nisbet and Alisha Ellison for assisting with this story.

If you have photos, videos or a story about Alan please feel free to leave a comment on this post.

DICK DALE KING OF THE SURF GUITAR: 1937-2019

Dick Dale

Richard Anthony Monsour (May 4, 1937 – March 16, 2019), better known by his stage name Dick Dale, was an American rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He pioneered and created what many call the surf music style, drawing on Middle-Eastern music scales and experimenting with reverberation.

Dale worked closely with Fender to produce custom made amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier. He pushed the limits of electric amplification technology, helping to develop new equipment that was capable of producing distorted, "thick, clearly defined tones" at "previously undreamed-of volumes." 

The "breakneck speed of his single-note staccato picking technique" and showmanship with the guitar is considered a precursor to heavy metal music, influencing rock guitarists from the 1960s until eternity...

USA TODAY "Miserlou," which would become his signature song, had been adapted from a Middle Eastern folk tune Dale heard as a child and later transformed into a thundering surf-rock instrumental.

His fingering style was so frenetic that he shredded guitar picks during songs, a technique that forced him to stash spares on his guitar's body. "Better shred than dead," he liked to joke, an expression that eventually became the title of a 1997 anthology released by Rhino Records.

RIP DICK...our thoughts and prayers to all of friends, family and gazillion fans....

DETROIT ROCK AUTHOR DAVID CARSON APPEARING AT MACOMB CC

Detroit’s '70s Music Scene: A Time of Transition

March 15, 2019 | 11:00 - 12:00 PM

David Carson, author of Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll and Rockin' Down the Dial: The Detroit Sound of Radio presents an audio/visual look back at Detroit's rich music legacy in the 70's.

Detroit's '70s Music Scene: A Time of Transition

Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College

44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township

Friday, March 15, 11 am / Free admission

Carson will lead off with a recap of the '60s era and then follow the careers of Motor City acts that went on to national fame in the '70s: Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Parliament/Funkadelic, and Iggy Pop among them.

Also included are the veteran musicians from other '60s Detroit bands who formed new groups in the '70s such as the Rockets, Destroy All Monsters, and Sonic's Rendevous Band all of which eventually became rather influential.

By the latter part of the decade, a new wave/punk rock scene was happening at a place called Bookies Club 870 which spawned many new bands such as the Sillies, the Mutants, and most notably the Romantics.

Dave Carson will have his books for sale/signing during this event next Friday.

Grit, Noise, and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll

BOOKIE'S CLUB 870 REUNION MAR 16 2109 IN DETROIT!

Bookie's CLUB 870 Reunion March 16, 2019 
$5 Admission!

Northern Lights Lounge

660 W Baltimore

Detroit Michigan

313-873-1739

Bookie's CLUB 870
Performance & Event Venue · Detroit, Michigan
Live music and historical artifacts from the Detroit rock music scene.

DONALD GARLAND RADER was Detroit's first rockabilly/rock & roll recording artist. Don kept playing and recording until his death July 4, 2004, at age 65

BEN WAUGH (Scott Campbell), singer, guitarist, drummer, and founder of Detroit Punk Band THE SILLIES, from April 1977 to present

THE SEATBELTS Great Detroit Retro/Punk Rock Band!

THE BRIAN STONES CLONES!

Special Guests MARCIE BOLEN and more!

Posters, Photos, Videos, Tee Shirts

INSANE CLOWN POSSE : NEW RELEASE FEARLESS FRED FURY!

MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING ARTISTS INSANE CLOWN POSSE (ICP) TO RELEASE THEIR LATEST FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, 

FEARLESS FRED FURY, ON FEBRUARY 15

 FANS WILL GET AN EXCLUSIVE BONUS LP, FLIP THE RAT, WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE OF FEARLESS FRED FURY

Los Angeles, CA (January 22, 2019): Insane Clown Posse, one of the best-selling independent groups of all time, proudly announce the release of their brand new full-length album, Fearless Fred Fury (aka “FFF”), on February 15, via their own label, Psychopathic Records.

FFF is the fourth Joker’s Card to be released from the second deck. Fans can pre-order the album now HERE.

There will be FFF listening parties held on release day (see list below). Local performers will play at these events, and a Psychopathic Records artist or host will be at each event.

The admission cost is simply to purchase a FFF album. Fans can buy tickets in advance, then they’ll exchange the ticket for a copy of the record at the event.

Additionally, fans can get an exclusive bonus album, Flip the Rat, with their purchase of FFF. When fans buy a physical copy of FFF, there will be a one-time-use promo code located on a card inside. Flip the Rat is not available anywhere else.

Fearless Fred Fury took over two years to create, and the end result is well worth the wait. ICP hasn’t released an album since 2015’s The Marvelous Missing Link (Lost/Found). Raw, terrifying, and uncompromising, FFF is a testament to the creativity and musical prowess that have made Insane Clown Posse true pop-culture icons.

According to ICP’s Shaggy 2 Dope, “I'm so proud of FFF! We were able to sit back and take our time on this record. Because we took our time, we came out with one of the best records in the deck of Joker Cards we've ever produced. FFF varies from all the different records we have done.

Instead of being any type of inspirational or trying to help the little man out by doing the right thing, this time we're like, ‘It's time to fight back and take what the f*ck is ours!’”

Violent J continues, “Yes, FFF’s album's theme or message is to fight back! Are you unhappy with something about your life? Fight Back! Too skinny? Too fat? Fight Back! Hate your job? Fight Back! You’re the only one who's ever going to take command of that vessel that is you and steer it to wherever you want to be in life. Every Joker’s Card album has a message to it, and the whole FFF flavor is a definite favorite of mine.”

FFF's final track, “I Like It Ruff," is the most disturbing work of ICP's entire career. Because of the sadistic sexual nature and the extreme violent content that follows, the band wishes to advise a warning: "Continue listening at your own risk."

Stay tuned for news of the upcoming 7th Juggalo Weekend in New Orleans. ICP’s FFF world tour will begin in spring!

About Insane Clown Posse (ICP):

Celebrating over 20 years together, Insane Clown Posse has released 25 albums and sold nearly 12 million copies worldwide. ICP emerged from Detroit’s underground music scene in the early ‘90s, with a hardcore hip-hop style comprised of musical stories and a unique mix of controversial and cartoonish lyrics.

The face-painted duo of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope have smashed through the ceiling of the music industry’s expectations, amassing their own dedicated legion of millions of fans. ICP has consistently released a steady stream of albums, compilations, music videos, wrestling promotions, films, outrageous events, and signature merchandise. Insane Clown Posse's annual Gathering of the Juggalos has grown to become one of America's most eclectic and celebrated summer music festivals.

Fearless Fred Fury Listening Parties (all happening on February 15):

Austin, TX Come and Take It Live
Cleveland, OH The Foundry
Corning, NY Lando’s
Dayton, OH Hank’s
Denver, CO Roxy
Des Moines, IA Lefty’s
Duluth, MN Red Herring Lounge
Grand Junction, CO Mesa Theatre
Greeley, CO Moxie Theatre
Greensboro, NC Bling Tiger
Indianapolis, IN Emerson
Joliet, IL Red Room @ Forge
Kansas City, MO Riot Room
Las Vegas, NV The Boxx East Side
Louisville, KY Tiger Room
Minneapolis, MN Whisky Junction
New Orleans, LA House of Blues
Omaha, NE Dr. Jack’s
Philadelphia, PA Raven Lounge
Pontiac, MI Pike Room
Sauget, IL Pop’s
Seattle, WA Funhouse
Sioux Falls, SD Icon Lounge
Spokane, WA The Pin
Tucson, AZ The Rock

More release parties to be announced soon!

SPONGE NEW RELEASE: DEMOED IN DETROIT 1997-98

Los Angeles, CA - Fresh from the critical and commercial success of their 1996 sophomore album Wax Ecstatic, Detroit hard rockers Sponge holed up in a small studio in their hometown to record what was to be their third as yet untitled album for Sony Records.

The band, whose songwriting chops had been proved on the megahit singles “Plowed” and “Molly (16 Candles Down The Drain),” looked to founder and lead vocalist Vinnie Dombroski for a new batch of tunes, and Dombroski himself turned to his classic rock heroes like The Doors, The Who and Steppenwolf others for inspiration.

The result was a raw blast of sonically devastating, guitar-oriented rock n’ roll. As the story goes, when legendary A&R rep John Kalodner stopped by the studio to sample what Sponge had been up to, he was not able to tolerate the sheer power of the sessions for long and had to beat a retreat!

For reasons known only to the band, these recordings were shelved and a new set of recordings were produced for Sponge’s 1999 album New Pop Sunday. But now those incredibly inspired studio sessions from 1997-1998 are available for the first time anywhere on the Cleopatra Records release Demoed In Detroit, providing a snapshot of where the band was 20 years ago while also offering a tantalizing taste of what might have been.

In addition to the 13 original songs and 3 blistering cover tunes, this special collection includes 2 exclusive acoustic versions of the band’s hits “Plowed” and “Molly (16 Candles Down The Drain)” recorded especially for this compilation. Raw and powerful, Demoed In Detroit 1997-98 is an essential album for fans of Sponge and classic '90s alternative rock!



Track List:
1. How Much Do You Think Of Love
2. Fell In Deep
3. Falling For The Girls
4. Great Big Flop
5. Love's A Killer
6. Once In A Blue Moon
7. Laughing At Me
8. Get Down And Assumed The Position
9. What Are Good Friends For
10. Walk In My Shoes
11. Turn Out The Lights
12. Song For The End Of The World
13. Someone To Talk To
14. Break On Through
15. My Generation
16. Born To Be Wild
17. Plowed (Acoustic Pilot Mix)
18. Molly (16 Candles Down The Drain) (Mad Piano Mix)

Track List to The Early Years New York City 1997/1998:
1. Shit Life
2. Spine For You
3. Same Old Story
4. Voodoo Crush
5. Little Fish
6. Wish
7. Wake Up
8. Pig Society
9. Pseudo Trash
10. Debonair
11. I Am Nothing
12. America The Pitiful
13. Kimberly's Ghost
14. One Fix
15. Sick
16. Everything Sucks
17. City Tonight
18. Dead Men Walking
19. Fuck Tha Police

Buy The Early Years CD here
Buy the digital version here
Stream the album here

CARMINE APPICE’S NEW RELEASE: GUITAR ZEUS!

Legendary drummer Carmine Appice is scheduled to re-release his GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album featuring a who’s who list of the best and world-renowned guitarists on the planet backed by his core band featuring Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) on bass, Kelly Keeling (T.S.O., M.S.G) on vocals/keys/rhythm guitar, and Appice on drums. Written and playing some well crafted timeless songs.

Originally released as two separate albums in 1995 & 1997, this new re-mastered album (by Stephen DeAcutis - Vanilla Fudge, Corey Glover, Overkill, Cyndi Lauper) combines both releases as one complete version on January 18, 2018 for the first time ever across all digital platforms, as well as feature 5 brand new songs with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Pat Travers, John Norum, and top Japanese guitarists RaiZi and Char. Select songs will also be available on a special limited-edition vinyl and CD.

Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus showcases the complete and prolific talents of many world-renown rock guitarists including Brian May, Slash, Neil Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bruce Kulick, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Paul Gilbert, Mick Mars, Richie Sambora, Zakk Wylde, Bob Daisley, Dweezil Zappa, Vivian Campbell, Leslie West, Warren DeMartini, Steve Morse, Ty Tabor (Kings X), Ted Nugent, Dug Pinnick, John Norum and others…

“The Guitar Zeus project, for me, was an amazing experience that has never been done before by a drummer, especially with so much talent on one album! You get your money’s worth! Writing all the songs with my band (Tony & Kelly) and then picking out songs for each guitarist was fun and a time-consuming process, especially coordinating everybody’s schedules and recording sessions.

Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus – Tracklisting:

“Mothers Space” (feat. Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal) + **
“Gonna Rain” (feat. Richie Sambora) + **
“4 Miles High” (feat. Steve Morse) +
“Nobody Knew” (feat. Brian May) + **
“Where You Belong (feat. Slash) +
“Out of Mind” (feat. Neal Schon) + **
“This Time Around (feat. Yngwie Malmsteen & Dug Pinnick) + **
“Nothing” (feat. John Norum) +
“Doin’ Fine” (feat Vivian Campbell) +
“Under the Moon and Sun” (feat. Mick Mars / Edgar Winter) + **
“Code 19” (feat. Zakk Wylde) + **
“Days Are Nights” (feat. Ted Nugent) + **
“Do Ya think I'm Sexy” (Sung by Carmine, feat. Pat Travers)
“Angels” (feat. Char)
“Guitar Zeus, Pt. 1” (feat Jennifer Batten)
“Safe” (feat. Neal Schon)
“Dead Wrong” (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
“Trippin’ Again” (feat. Ty Tabor)
“Even Up the Score” (feat. Ted Nugent)
“Dislocated” (feat. Paul Gilbert)
“Stash” (feat. Stevie Salas / John McEnroe)
“Perfect Day” (feat. Warren DeMartini)
“Killing Time” (feat. Ty Tabor)
“So Long” (feat. Doug Aldrich)
“My Own Advice” (feat Kenji Kitajima)
“Time to Set Alarms” (feat Elliot Easton / Bob Daisley)
“GZ Blues” (feat. Seymour Duncan / Steven Seagal)
“Guitar Zeus, Pt. 2” (feat. Leslie West / Jennifer Batten)
“Where you Belong” (feat Paul Gilbert)
“Cruzin” (feat. Denny Laine)
“Couldn’t Be Better” (Feat. RaiZi)
“Score” (Feat. Ted Nugent)
“Snake” (feat. Bruce Kulick)
+ CD Release
** Vinyl Release

From the opening note, one can tell this is going to be something special. I consider these drum tracks to be some of the best performances in my career, topped off with working with so many great guitarists and singers. The combination of players and song selection is something special with some of the tunes is out of the ordinary and ahead of their time!”
– Carmine Appice

About Carmine Appice:

As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band's 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process.

The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so lugubriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out well-known pop tunes. Vanilla Fudge went on to tour with Jimi Hendrix, Cream and even had Led Zeppelin as an opening act.

Post-Fudge, Bogert, and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on Van Halen & King's X). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice.

One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances and a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career.

In 1976, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" and "Young Turks.”

Rockers & V8 [2 CD] by Carmine Appice (2011-06-14)

He left Stewart to record his first solo album, Rockers, and tour Japan and North America with an all-star band. In 1978, Appice played drums on Paul Stanley’s first solo album.

In the early 1980s, he toured with Ozzy Osborne, Ted Nugent. In the mid '80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ‘80s, Carmine played on Pink Floyd’s "Momentary Lapse of Reason and formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake's John Sykes and The Firm's Tony Franklin. In the early '90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

Carmine with Edgar Winter

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies (now in dvd and ebook format).

He was the first Rock Drummer and Rock Musician to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world, a tradition he continues.

In appreciation for his universal appeal, Los Angeles was one of four cities that have had "Carmine Appice Day.” In 1991, he was forever immortalized via his induction in cement to the Hollywood's Rock Walk (next to his idols, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich).

In 2016 Carmine wrote an autobiography titled “Stick It” which appeared on Amazon’s “Best Sellers” list.

As a true artist, Carmine stretches the limits of his talents, always pursuing new experiences with a broad spectrum of musicians. His high standards have earned him the respect of the world's most admired performers as well as captivating the loyalty of legions of fans. He has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance.

Carmine Appice is, truly, a legendary Drummer!

http://www.CarmineAppice.net