Graphic Novel Review-Time & Vine by Thomas Zahler

If you are looking for fun book , I highly recommend you check out this comic !

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Time travel has always been an interest of mine , from the early 80’s television show ” Voyagers ” to the current NBC hit ” Timeless ” and the BBC staple ” Doctor Who ” the thought of time travel has intrigued me from childhood on . The idea that a comic book or graphic novel decided to create a unique perspective on the concept peaked my interest and I had to check it out . My friends may I present to you ” Time & Vine ” Time travel has always been an interest of mine , from the early 80’s television show ” Voyagers ” to the current NBC hit ” Timeless ” and the BBC staple ” Doctor Who ” the thought of time travel has intrigued me from childhood on . The idea that a comic book or graphic novel decided to create a unique perspective on the concept peaked my interest and I had to check it out . My friends may I present to you ” Time &  Vine ”

Here is the premise, A grade school history teacher, looking for a respite from her life’s problems, finds the ultimate escape when the owner of a local winery reveals its secret to her: drink the right glass of wine in the right tasting room, and travel back in time to the year it was bottled. Together, they’ll journey through the history of the 200-year old winery… as well as their own. ( taken directly from the product description )
Here is the premise, A grade school history teacher, looking for a respite from her life’s problems, finds the ultimate escape when the owner of a local winery reveals its secret to her: drink the right glass of wine in the right tasting room, and travel back in time to the year it was bottled. Together, they’ll journey through the history of the 200-year old winery… as well as their own. ( taken directly from the product description )

I have to tell you that this is a fun book , with witty humor and touches of sensitivity. Who of us would not like to go back in time and have a chance to visit a loved one , or correct a past mistake but what will the the consequences of such actions be ? Time will tell . I like this graphic novel it is the modern equivalent binge watching a whole season without waiting for the next episode of in this case next issue to hit the stands. I give this four out of four stars so check it out if you are looking for something new.

It is published by IDW Publishing and you can see the official website here   https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/time-and-vine/

 

Thom Zahler is the creator, writer and artist of the Harvey-nominated, fan-favorite superhero romantic comedy Love and Capes. He has also written and drawn issues of IDW’s successful My Little Pony miniseries. Recently, he sold his first script to the Ultimate Spider-Man animated cartoon airing on Disney XD. He co-wrote the story “‘Til Death” for the “Star Trek TNG: Sky’s the Limit” collection (with Bob Ingersoll). ( bio taken from Amazon “

Live Review- Pop Evil Bring Music Over Words Tour to Cleveland’s House of Blues

The well deserved success of a hard working band comes to fruition !

Pop Evil on Stage
Pop Evil on Stage

Cleveland, Ohio – The mighty Michigan hard rock act known at Pop Evil descended upon Cleveland this last week to the delight of the Rock Capital .The continued climb up the charts over the years has cemented this band into the heart and minds of fans everywhere . I met fans from Pittsburgh,Columbus and Toledo. To say this band has a following is a grave understatement as the fans traveled from  far and wide and thru many age groups from teens to middle aged, there is something for everyone.   The band is in current support of their self titled effort  ” POP EVIL ” with the song ” Waking Lions ” reaching number #1 on rock radio.

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Pop Evil on Stage

The evenings set started off with high energy and the track ” Ways To Get High ” and didn’t let up for sixteen songs . Some of my favorites were ” Torn To Pieces ”  and ” Bosses Daughter “.  I really like the new song ” Waking Lions ” as in this time in history it  can be applied to many situations. The guitar work of Nick Fuelling leads along with the solid rhythm guitar  of  Dave Grahs  made this is sonic attack on the senses.

Pop Evil on Stage
Pop Evil on Stage

The bands put the fans in to forefront and really plays to them , the onstage energy of bassist Matt DiRito really kept the crowd electrified. The personal contact of vocalist Leigh Kakaty along with the rich melodies and soulful lyrics cannot be put into words , suffice to say awesome ! The newest member of the group and keeping the beat and proving that some of the best guys in a band can be a woman is Hayley Cramer, drummer extraordinaire.

Pop Evil on Stage
Pop Evil on Stage

To learn more about Pop Evil or to see them on the upcoming summer tour check out the official website at   http://www.popevil.com

Pop Evil on Stage
Pop Evil on Stage

Live Review- Ethan Brosh Brings Conspiracy Tour To Cleveland

If you like Steve Vai, then you are going to love Ethan Brosh !

Ethan Brosh Band
Ethan Brosh Band

Cleveland , Ohio – The Beachland Ballroom played host to a night of legends and legends in the making last night .Ethan Brosh, in direct support  for Ross The Boss ( Manowar) brought his “Conspiracy ” tour to Cleveland and with it proved that true musicianship , talent and hard work pays off in the long run . This is the third time I have seen the Ethan Brosh band and the maturity in the songwriting and the stage performance by all the members proved that this is a well oiled machine.

Ethan Brosh Band , the view from Dan Whitelocks drum throne
Ethan Brosh Band , the view from Dan Whitelocks drum throne

” Conspiracy ” is the third studio album for Ethan and features ” Steel Panther ” member Satchel as a guest on the song ” Tomb of the Gods ” which by chance was the opening song of the night.

Ethan Brosh Band -Giorgio Mongelli on bass guitar
Ethan Brosh Band -Giorgio Mongelli on bass guitar

It was followed up by ” Collision Course ” and ” Road To Victory ” .Ethan is sometimes listed as an East coast shredder , however I think that title is blanketing over the melodic songwriting ability of a mature musician.A very old saying is music is sometimes less is more and Ethan demonstrates the perfect balance.” Space Invaders” and ” Clean Slate ” followed to the cheers of a receptive audience. The songs ” Hitman ” and ” In a Sentimental Mood ” ended the night.  Ethan’s band are  extremely talented in their own right , as they became friends at Berkeley School of Music .

The immensely talented  Nathan Montalvo sharing guitar duties.On the low end Italian native Giorgio Mongelli on bass guitar.Multi-instrument Dan Whitelock on drums and vocals and Ethan Brosh on lead guitar.

To see if Ethan is coming to a city near you or to listen to his work please check out his official  website at   http://www.ethanbrosh.com

Ethan Brosh Band
Ethan Brosh Band
Ethan Brosh Band -Nathan Montalvo on guitar
Ethan Brosh Band -Nathan Montalvo on guitar

LaureLive Adds More Bands!

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CLEVELAND, OH  — Laurel School, an all-girls (K-12) independent school in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and the Cleveland-based Elevation Group announced today major additions to an – already – powerful – lineup for LaureLive: Music with a Mission 2018 (#LL2018).  This unique event returns to Laurel’s gorgeous, 140-acre Butler Campus located at 7420 Fairmount Road, spanning Russell and Chester Townships, Ohio.

 

The 2018 dates for the two-day, all-ages, family-friendly festival are Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10. More than 30 diverse musical acts, led by some of the world’s most popular current artists, will kick-off Summer 2018 in Cleveland.

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Eight-time Grammy Award winner, Stephen Marley leads this exciting and “added list” of artists joining the fun at LaureLive.  Marley is a Jamaican-American musician who is the son of Bob Marley and his wife Rita Marley. His Grammys come three times as a solo artist, twice as a producer of younger brother Damian Marley’s ‘Halfway Tree’ and ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ albums, and a further three times as a member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

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Joining Stephen Marley is fellow reggae vocalist, beatboxer, and alternative rock musician, Matisyahu.  Matisyahu has played Cleveland several times since he hit the scene, but perhaps none more memorable than his appearance at the Cleveland Agora 12 years ago this June.  Both reggae heavyweights will perform at LaureLive on Sunday, June 10.

 

In a very unique development, LaureLive has partnered with the Legacy Strategic Asset Management of Wells Fargo Advisors to present a special Saturday (June 9Mediterranean Family Concert with Musicians from Cleveland’s own and internationally renowned Apollo’s Fire!  A colorful ensemble of winds, percussion, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, guitar (and more!) will demonstrate songs from the ancient Mediterranean. Come prepared to join in with singing, clapping, and general mayhem! Afterwards, get an up-close look at the instruments at Apollo’s Fire’s famous Instrument Petting Zoo.

 

Rounding out the additional six are Colony House (Saturday, June 9) – who perform a sold-out show at House of Blues this Thursday, and female rockers Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones (Sunday, June 10) and Michigan’s Flint Eastwood (Sunday, June 10).

 

Weekend passes, single day tickets and VIP passes are on sale now. And in honor of Stephen Marley and Matisyahu’s appearances on Sunday, June 10, there will be a one-week sale (save $15) for Sunday-only  adult tickets.  USE PROMO CODE: SUNDAY  This sale starts NOW and will end next Tuesday, March 27 at 10am. 

 

LaureLive Tickets On Sale Now

Music Review -Jack Russell’s Great White -He Saw It Comin’

One of the best albums you missed of 2017 !

Cover art by DeArdis Hurts
Cover art by DeArdis Hurts

The 1980’s and 1990’s were magical times,the cold war was winding  down and metal  music was mainstream and on the radio and television. In the midst of all this bands like Guns N’ Roses , Metallica and Great White ruled the airwaves , but just like Metallica or any band for that matter personal change and like phoenix rising from the ashes so do great front men. Men such as Jack Russell . Ladies and gentleman let me introduce to the best rock album  you missed  last year, Jack Russell’s Great White ” He Saw It Comin'” .

Jack Russell's Great White
Jack Russell’s Great White

The tracks start of with ” Sign of the Times ” and with it , the current trappings of modern society , including internet fame , fake facebook friends, and yes fake news , with a great melody and powerful riffs.

She moves me is a slow and sexy , bluesy song , a great song to dance too . I can imagine dancing and grinding with a beautiful girl next to me , or at least dropping dollars on stage for her to pick up and forget I ever existed except to make it rain .It has a mini rap in it but all in in all its a fun song .

Up next is ” Crazy ” which is about dating a beautiful but mentally unhinged person and the bad decisions we make because of them. I know I have been there so this son has a lot of meaning to me.

” Love Don’t Live Here ” is a steady progression of when love fades and the feeling we all have of loneliness. The intonation of Jack Russell’s voice along with the melody created by Robby Lochner’s  guitar , is the perfect pairing , similar to Keith Richards and Mick Jagger , they just compliment each other .

” My Addiction ” is about the real life addition that Jack and millions of people face everyday . The current drug overdose  crisis griping the nation makes this song the perfect time to release it .A big congrats to Jack for beating his addition and being able to create great music for his fans.

” Anything For You ” acoustic  introduction and soft spoken lyrics , shows a maturity in song writing that can only come with the trials of getting older and living  with the ups and downs of life and our own mortality.

” He Saw It Comin'” well to be honest I know a little bit of insite  to this song .Its basically about knowing what you were going to be at an early age and no matter how many times you fall down you pick your self up until you finally reach you goal and prove the haters wrong. Who knew that Jack Russell is almost like a real life metaphor for Rocky Balboa.Its a cool song with rocking riffs and some sarcastic tones , in other words the perfect rock song.

” Don’t Let Me Go ” starts  a little reggae riff , just a hint but slightly there but the song is about not wanting the perfect moment to change.Love the guitar solo in the bridge.

‘Spy Vs Spy ” name is taking from the old Mad Magazine comic of the of the same name. The into guitar lead shows the ferocity of Robby’s talent with the song going into a fast paced story like an action adventure , I can actually see this on a James Bond movie soundtrack . Check it out , the bridge is unreal and works well .

‘Blame It One The Night” The deep heavy riffs , along with lyrics , really go into the darkness  of night. The monsters come out at night .The song is about child abuse and molestation as a girl becomes a young woman by her father , a powerful message.  A dark and mysterious song that compliments the album.

” Godspeed” is a throwback to the days of old , do wop song sung in  Acapella form , not what you would expect but it shows the wide range of Jack Russell’s talent .

The band consists of Jack Russell on vocals ,Robby Lochner on guitars , Dicki Fliszar on drums ,Dan McNay on bass guitar , and Tony Cardenas-Montana on guitars .

To order your copy or to see if they playing a show near you , please see the official website at http://www.jackrussellsgreatwhiteband.com

 

Judas Priest Bring ” Firepower ” Tour To Ohio

Rob Halford on stage
Rob Halford on stage

Youngstown , Ohio – The mighty Judas Priest returned to the Buckeye state this past week as we were lucky enough to catch the second date of a world tour. The Covelli Centre and with JAC Live played to host and the fans could not be more grateful. I met people from all the state , driving from an hour away to four hours away and a capacity crowd of almost 6000 ( I was told 5900 ) the place just screamed with metal !

Ian Hill on Stage
Ian Hill on Stage

The band is celebrating the chart topping success of ” Firepower ” all while dealing with the challenge of long time member and guitarist Glenn Tipton having had to step down from touring due to his recent reveal of Parkinson’s disease. Tipton and band anointed ( pun intended ) producer Andy Sneap to fill on tour and Andy to a great job.  Many people will argue that unless a band is complete from the original  line up you are not seeing the true band , well that doesn’t add up.  Have you had the same job at the same company for the last four decades , I think not so give the bands a break and let them be artists and a company at the same time. Even Rob Halford is not the original singer but if Al Atkins stepped on stage most people would say who is that , so get over it people.

Rob and Andy on stage
Rob and Andy on stage

The current line up is Ian Hill on bass guitar , Rob Halford on vocals ,Glenn Tipton on guitars ( non touring ) Scott Travis on drums and Richie Faulkner on guitars .

Richie Faulkner on stage
Richie Faulkner on stage

The set was a dream  list for any metal fan and a  musical buffet for a Judas Priest fan and it included ” Firepower, Running Wild ,Grinder, Saints in Hell, Angel, Turbo Lover, Painkiller ” and many many more. As a note this is only the second time they ever played ” Saints in Hell ” live and wow what a great job .This had to be one of my top ten favorite concerts I have seen so as the tour is just getting started make sure you reserve a date to see it .

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Richie Faulkner, Andy Sneap and Scott Travis

To check out all things Priest please see the official website at http://www.judaspriest.com

 

Steelheart Thrills BMI Speedway Fans

Miljenko Matijevic on stage with Steelheart
Miljenko Matijevic on stage with Steelheart

Versailles, Ohio -The 90’s rock powerhouse played the BMI Speedway over the weekend to the delight of fans from near and far . I met fans that  traveled from Michigan , Indiana , Texas and all parts of Ohio.The drawing power of  this iconic metal band brings multi generational fans together to rock and forget the worlds worries . I met mothers and daughters loving the songs and I even met a cancer patient who delayed her chemotherapy treatments so she could make the show . I call that dedication, the  band hugged her and told her they were pulling for her to get healthy . That is the way to connect with the audience , be accessible and Steelheart has the fan connection down to a science.

Miljenko Matijevic on stage with Steelheart
Miljenko Matijevic on stage with Steelheart with Marten Andersson

The band has been around since 1990 and plays to the world , the current line up is Miljenko Matijevic (vocals), Mike Humbert (drums), Joe Pessia (guitars) and Marten Andersson (bass).

Marten Andersson of Steelheart
Marten Andersson of Steelheart

The hits were played along with some new songs . There were in direct support for the band Warrant hence they had a limited set but enough to appease the fans but to be honest they could play three hours and the fans could not get enough. Some of my favorites were ” Blood Pollution” , ” Livin The Life ” and ” Angel Eyes ”

Joe Pessia playing with Steelheart
Joe Pessia playing with Steelheart

BMI Indoor Speedway is located in Versailles, Ohio and is the perfect venue to host  bands  for the tri state area fans , it is well worth the trip . To learn more about Steelheart , please see the official website for all up to the minute information . http://steelheart.com/

A fan posing with Steelheart who delayed her cancer treatments to stay healthy for the concert
A fan posing with Steelheart who delayed her cancer treatments to stay healthy for the concert

Jack Russell’s Great White to return March 23

Jack Russell's Great White
Jack Russell’s Great White

The legendary voice of Great White , along with a powerful new band and a new album is set to play the Hard Rock Rocksino March 23 in support of Warrant. This is not a night to be missed  .I had a chance to see them perform last summer and after that show they moved into my top five favorite performing artists .The new album ” He Saw It Coming ” is one of the best releases of 2017 and not to be missed .If you want a great night of old fashioned real rock , check out Jack Russell’s Great White .

Please see the official website for Jack Russell for further information . http://www.jackrussellsgreatwhite.com/

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Cleveland Wizard World Comic Con ,Fun for the Whole Family!

 

 

28822152_10155900875517819_856410004_o I had the pleasure of attending Wizard World Comic Con in Cleveland, Ohio this past weekend . It was a spectacular experience with live music, amazing guests, and even light saber combat. The pinnacle of my time there was hugging and getting to meet John Barrowman on stage!

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There were plenty of attractions for people all ages, and kids 10 and under are free! Wizard World Comic Con also features a “Kid Zone”, specifically set up so your kiddos can enjoy the con just as much as you do! I talked to Alexzandra, a twelve year old from Lyndhurst , Ohio . Alexzandra said she was most excited for the voice actors she could meet and all the vendors!

Billie Piper on stage
Billie Piper on stage

For all you Doctor Who fans: Ohio Who (a Doctor Who fan club) from Vermillion, Ohio managed to create some backdrops from our favorite Whovian episodes, perfect for a photo op! My friend and also fellow Whovian, Marissa Assumabarty of Mentor, Ohio, made sure she attended Wizard World especially to see John Barrowman, David Tennant, and all of their panels!

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Lots of gaming of all types went down. Smash bros, Tekken, and Dragon Ball Z were being played on the provided PCs. In the back room people were playing Magic the Gathering, among other card and board games. For those with tinier tots, puppet shows went on all weekend courtesy of Jester Puppets performing H.E.R.O.s Anti-bullying Puppet Show.

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Wizard World Comic Con is amazing because it brings so many people of all ages together, to cosplay and further discover and enjoy their fandom. Fandom has no age limit, and Wizard World is fun for everyone!