skell

Oceans to Ash PARS432

August 17, 2018 Build the Scene 1:07:35 Comments Off

4/5 of the band Oceans to Ash joined Bill on episode 432 of the Pennsylvania Rock Show. They introduced themselves and their new single to our listeners. Speaking of the single, you can get it for free on their bandcamp page! Segment 1: What is the meaning behind Oceans to Ash? Which Oceans to Ash song would the band want to survive the apocalypse? (and apparently the 4 Horseman showed up when it should have been global warming) Ever wonder what bands influenced them? Tune in to find out! The band talks about their upcoming shows, see below. Christian told us about the song Victim to the Algorithm Segment 2: You can download the single, Victim to the Algorithm on bandcamp page! Why don’t they like Tumblr? If we played Victim to the Algorithm backwards, what would we hear? They get really in-depth on this one. Embarrassing moments on stage? What internationally touring band would you want to open for, and at what venue? The band talks about the goals for the future and what venues they would like to get into. Oceans to Ash talk about what they love about the scene and what the would love to change, and the changes they wish for we’ve heard many times on the show. Kris talks about why live streaming your shows is probably a bad idea. What about you would surprise your fans?

Shrouded in Neglect PARS431

August 10, 2018 Build the Scene 1:06:41 Comments Off

Nate Kepner of Shrouded in Neglect made is first trip to the Pennsylvania Rock Show tonight, and yes ladies and gentleman, that means this is a metal show! We talked about where the band name came from (this was a new one for me) and how the band formed. We talked about a few other metal bands from the scene both early on and later in the show. We moved on to Nate’s influences which include but are not limited to Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake. (Okay maybe he mentions some metal bands and 90’s alternative bands, too). We then talked a little bit about the local band skell and Rock for Life this past weekend. Nate then tells us about his favorite local bands and we talked about our mutal friend at First Angel Media. He tells us about their song Here Goes the Lights off of their sophmore release Kill All Humans, which we played during the break along with Everything’s Fine by skell. Segment 2: At the beginning of the second segment, Nate talks about searching the Pittsburgh bands to get some great new music. We fan girled it a little and talked about the Penguins and Steelers. Once we got back on track, we talked about Nate’s favorite venues to play at and some of the big name bands (and influencers, is that a word?) that he has played with at the Altar Bar. We also talked about embarrassing situations that have happened to him on Altar Bar’s stage. Which Shrouded In Neglect song would Nate want to represent his band if only one of their songs could survive the apocalypse? Here’s a hint, it comes off of their EP, The Haunting. We find out a little bit about 10 year old Nate and the violin… and a bit more about why he became a musician. What band would he want to open for and at what venue? What does he love about the PGH scene and what does he hate? What would we hear if we listened to Shrouded In Neglect backwards?

Folk You PARS422

June 8, 2018 Build the Scene 1:01:01 Comments Off

Ruben Alan David & Muskie of Folk You met Bill at the Leechburg Moose 102 (thanks!) to do an interview on this episode, and afterwards they recorded one of their Guerilla Folk Videos on the Leechburg Walking Bridge. What they talked about during the first segment of the show: The origin of the band name. How they decide where to record a Guerilla Folk Video, and how many times they have done it. Describe your costumes (and back story). Ruben tells us about the song, Folk You, which the performed live for the show as well. Topics covered in segment 2: We discuss the bands that Muskie and Ruben Alan David have been in/are in. Ruben does an amazing job talking about Rock for Life. Folk You gets to tell us what they love about the scene and what they would like to change. They tell us something that their fans would be surprised to know about them. Ruben then surprised Bill, but actually having an embarrassing moment on stage to talk about. Muskie and Ruben tell us about their favorite bands from the scene, and their love for the original music in our area. What happens when you play Folk You backwards? What song that you’ve been involved writing, would you want to survive history? We also talked about doing one of their Guerilla Folk Videos: Video of Folk You performing on the Leechburg Walking Bridge after the interview

Reign of Z

January 13, 2018 Build the Scene 1:10:57 Comments Off

Reign of Z joined Bill for Episode 406 of the Pennsylvania Rock Show. Unfortunately, they were a player down and we wish Amanda Blackwell a speedy recovery. Like a normal PA Rock Show, we’re all over the place topic wise, but in segment 1 you’ll find out: About how the name of the band came about. What band each member of Reign of Z would like to open for, and at what venue. They talk about their music collections (influences). The people that have supported the members of the band the most over the years. What the meaning behind the song Whispers in the Walls is. Segment 2: They told us stories about their embarrassing and favorite moments on stage. The band picked a super band from the people that they have played with before. and more…

2KD #SYDSTRONG

December 16, 2017 Build the Scene 0:59:58 Comments Off

We did something unusual this week, well actually 2 very unusual things. We had a guest on from a cover band. WHAT!?! As you all know the Pennsylvania Rock Show is about original music. That doesn’t mean that we’re against cover bands, we just can’t play covers on the show. We are also playing 5, yes 5 brand new songs to the show in this episode! Shannon of 2KD joined us to talk about their second annual #SYDSTRONG toy drive. The toy drive is in honor of a past Rock for Life Recipient who has unfortunately, passed. Its their way to keep Syd’s name and soul alive. The show features 7 bands and is Saturday, December 23, 2017. There is a $5 cover (which will be donated to a current RfL Recipient) or you can bring a new unwrapped toy. They toys will be taken to Childrens Hospital and donated to the children there on December 24th. Toys can also be dropped off in advance of the show if you can’t make it at the Sidebar, Polish Falcons, K&S Automotive, Kittanning Collision, and the Pizzeria. Bill was a bit all over the place so many topics were covered during this show, including talking about some other local band members that pop in to support local music at other bands’ shows. We talked about Lady Jaye of First Angel Media and her multi talents of both writing and photography. You should check her out at firstangelmedia.com We also talk about Reina Peli Art & Photography, Dan of GtX Media, We then talked about the Rock for Life Xmas Party which is TONIGHT Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 8pm at the Leechburg Moose. They are accepting donations at the door, there is no set cover. The show features SKELL, After the Fall, Slant 6, and Farewell Felicia.

Rock for Life 18

July 28, 2017 Build the Scene 1:01:09 Comments Off

In this episode, we do a pre-show for Rock for Life 18. You’ll hear interviews from last year’s Rock for Life 17 as well as new interviews from this year’s gigaroo. Included in these interviews are Alicia Hruby (2013 Recipient), Amanda Hensel (mother of Alex Hooks 2005 recipient) & Mark Hensel, Patty and Eric Jageman (parents of 2016 recipient, Dylan), Mike Piroch of Staley’s Comet and many other bands, Mike Ekis from skell, OverMyDeadBody’s Natasha, members of Kill the Drama, & Sean of Homicide Black. You also get to hear music from 9 of the participating bands including another new track from Fist Fight in the Parking Lot!

Fist Fight in the Parking Lot

July 21, 2017 Build the Scene 1:30:55 Comments Off

Come join Molasses Barge and Fist Fight in the Parking Lot as they release their next CDs with blackseed records. Both bands will be featuring songs live from their records and have CDs available for sale, and they want to share it with YOU, Pittsburgh! July 28, 2017 Doors at 9, Show at 10PM $5 In our first segment, Bill is visited by Moe, Larry, and Curly… errr Jason, Johnny Metal, and RuDawg of Fist Fight in the Parking Lot. We start out talking about the writing process and how circumstances allowed them to sit on the songs and go back to them later, we smoothly transitioned into the history of the band (yeah smoothly haha) and talking about about festivals and competitions… throughout the whole interview you get bits and pieces about their writing & recording processes. I asked about the title of the album, and got a lot of different answers (haha). They were much more forthcoming about where the band name came from. Segment 2 starts out with a conversation about social media and websites and then we move on to learning a bit more about the pieces that make up FFITPL. Sammy or Dave? It was around this time that we learned that Chris embarrasses Fist Fight in the Parking Lot. We move on to name every band we could think of and even talk about Overlord Brom (Dethlehem) and his helmet. Somehow we even included Orko… we then move onto having them create their own super group from local musicians. and well… ya… listen to the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecIdlEAKhU Bob Price was the member of Dog Day Sunrise that I couldn’t remember during the show, tattoos at Inferno Studios.

A Wright of Passage

April 7, 2017 Build the Scene 0:56:48 Comments Off

Lots of music and information for you in this episode. I took a moment to talk about the passing of Cliff from KGB. He was an integral part of our scene and he will be missed. I also did a segment that I titled A Wright of Passage. In this segment I featured songs from Step 11, (kaj), and skell. the link between these songs is that Walter Wright sang lead vocals on all of them. You can hear the progression of his vocals and see how he got to where he is now with what I consider to be the best metal band in the Pittsburgh area. You can read a cd review for their “Everything’s Fine” EP on our other site AK Music Scene. They are currently looking for a drummer to finalize their lineup. You can e-mail Mikey Palone if you think you have what it takes. We featured tracks from: Sofachrome, Tony Marinacci, Camp Element, Silk 9, Homicide Black, Step 11, (kaj), skell, KGB, Dethlehem, Divine Tragedy We featured the following upcoming concerts: May 13: Rock for Life: Spring Fling – Leechburg Moose – $5 Members/$10 Qualified Guests Big house Pete MonaLisa Smile a common crown Heidi & The Hellcats June 10: Feel the Fire Fest 5 – $20 preshow/$25 at the gates – 1314 Hebron Rd SE, Heath, OH 43056-1040 Saliva Xfactor1 Scars like Mine Waragon one in the Chamber After the fall Managed Chaos Iron Head Inc Corrosive Vengence Ribcage Infidel July 7 & 8: Gigaroo 2017 – $20 – Iselin Ballfield Friday July 7 Homicide Black Zone 8 East End Kill the Drama Shattered a commmon crown JL Cook Acoustic Saturday July 8 After the Fall Silk 9 The Hellfire Club Flashback Mojo Filter Here and Now Transcendence Post Traumatik OverMyDeadBody Trigger Happy SuffaCate

Skell ~ “Everything’s Fine”

April 1, 2017 Build the Scene Comments Off

The long awaited Skell CD was released this year and there will be very few fans who can’t agree that it is worth the wait! This is an amazing compilation of the current members; Mike Palone (guitar), Mike Ekis (bass), Wally Wright (vocals) and using tracks recorded by late drummer, Kieth Kweder. As Skell is still searching for the right drummer for their band it seemed only right that they use Keith’s already recorded tracks in tribute to him. Not by chance, the release happened at KwederFest, a yearly benefit event that has been going since Keith’s untimely death. Skell is a well known Hard Rock/Metal band from the Pittsburgh area that has been going strong for ten years, and “Everything’s Fine” is a CD that will prove just why they are so popular. The production quality is amazing and the band made special effort to thank Rob Deaner (Contagious Music) as well as Sean McDonald (Red Medicine Recording) for their talent. The five track release Contains: Track #1 – Deaf Ears Track #2 – Loose Myself Track #3 – Everything’s Fine? Track #4 – Menschheit Track #5 – Everything’s Fine? (Radio Edit) On a personal note, when I popped this into my CD player at the beginning of a long ride I didn’t expect to let it play for almost an hour but I was caught up in it from the first notes. While all genres have their own sound Skell keeps their originality in the front from start to finish. Their influences of Sabbath, Slipknot, Slayer, and some added influence of Deep Purple can be found as trace elements in the songs but their own sound retains its identity. There is obviously a ton of talent in this band and the production quality brings it to you in a way that makes you feel like they are in front of you on stage. I was so excited by what I heard that I hoped from the first play through that I would get to do this review. What you’ll find from the very beginning are drum beats that make something in you move, that top body nod you get at concerts because the feeling has hit you and you have no choice but to give in to it. The wonderfully rough-edged vocals grab you and rather than bleeding into the music they force you to listen and catch every word. The laughter in “Deaf Ears” is perfectly maniacal and growling at the same time. An accent to the music and song that fits perfectly. From “Loose Myself,” I can almost promise you will be screaming “If I lost myself, do you think you could find me” right along with it. These two songs are hard hitting and energetic with real meaning behind the words. The title track “Everything’s Fine” slows things down a bit. Certainly not a ballad but filled with moments, such as the guitar solo, where you close your eyes and let it all flow through you. While retaining the hard rock feel it brings you to a place inside that’s almost soothing at times. It never gets too slow and “Menschheit” brings you immediately to a fever pitch that continues through the song before setting you back into the radio edit of the title track. In all, this is a wonderful CD and shows the amazing talent of this band. Crisp clean sound with everything hard rock and metal are supposed to be but carving its own path with its originality and feel. By the release of this review Skell’s “Everything’s Fine” will be available to the public online at iTines, Amazon, Best Buy, Target as well as streaming on Pandora, Spotify, Deezer and even more to come. There’s also the option of seeing one of their shows, which you can find listed on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/skellmetal or their website and purchase one directly from the band. That may be the best option because if this is what Skell sounds like in a studio, I can only imagine what it would be to see them live!