Mick Mars
As the guitarist for the influential ’80s glam rock band Mötley Crüe, Mick Mars played catchy riffs that perfectly matched Nikki Sixx’s rebellious and sexually charged lyrics. Originally born as Bob Alan Deal in Terre Haute, IN, Mars moved to Huntington, IN, where he attended his first concert that sparked his passion for guitar playing. Starting with the bass guitar, he joined his first band, the Jades, at the age of 14. Influenced by artists like Jeff Beck and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Mars later secured the lead guitar position in one of the era’s biggest rock bands.
Having played in multiple bands in Los Angeles, including White Horse and Vendetta, Mick Mars connected with Mötley Crüe founder/bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee through a local ad he placed. Impressed, he was immediately hired, and the band later added vocalist Vince Neil to their lineup. Mötley Crüe gained attention in Hollywood with their outrageous stage performances, featuring Mars spitting blood and Sixx setting himself on fire. Signed by Elektra Records, the band achieved great success with albums like Too Fast for Love, Shout at the Devil, Theatre of Pain, Girls, Girls, Girls, and Dr. Feelgood during the ’80s.
In the ’90s, Mötley Crüe faced changes with Vince Neil’s departure and the rise of alternative/grunge rock. John Corabi replaced Neil briefly and played guitar on the band’s self-titled album, causing tension with Mars. Despite the lineup adjustments, Neil returned, and the original band continued with albums like Generation Swine and New Tattoo in the late ’90s. Mick Mars’ journey with Mötley Crüe remains a mix of turmoil and triumph, fueling the band’s enduring legacy in the world of rock music.
Taproot
Formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Taproot released their debut album GIFT in 2000 on Atlantic Records, followed by extensive touring on Ozzfest 2000/2001, and tours with Deftones, Incubus , Papa Roach, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Disturbed, and Linkin Park. Welcome, the band’s first with producer Toby Wright (Alice in Chains, Korn) which Rolling Stone called, “a self-preserving transition from new metal to art metal”, went on to sell over 500,000 copies, spawning the hit Rock singles “Poem”, and “Mine”, and propelling Welcome to over 50 million digital streams. The band continued heavy touring with Alien Ant Farm, Disturbed, on the 2004 Music As A Weapon Tour, and Linkin Park. Vocalist Stephen Richards would also appear on the track “P5hng Me A*wy” on Linkin Park’s 2002 remix album REANIMATION.
2005’s Blue-Sky Research, also helmed by Wright, was the band’s final Atlantic release, ft. the hit single “Calling”, co-written with FAR vocalist Jonah Matranga, and saw the band collaborate with Billy Corgan, Nick Hexum (311), and Stephen Carpenter (Deftones), with heavy touring again, with the likes of Chevelle, Staind, POD, & Flyleaf. After several more studio albums, including 2008’s Our Long Road Home,, 2010’s Plead The Fifth, with the single “Fractured (Everything I Said was True}” reaching the top 20 on the Active Rock Chart, and 2012’s The Episodes, Taproot continued to tour consistently through 2013, when the band went on an indefinite hiatus, reforming officially in 2023.
Zero 9:36
None Of Us Are Getting Out is an artist who defies conventional boundaries and expectations, creating music that transcends genres and connects with listeners on a profound level. With a unique blend of poetic lyrics, powerful melodies, and versatile vocals, None Of Us Are Getting Out’s music stands out as a true representation of artistic expression. Their ability to craft captivating songs that evoke a range of emotions is unparalleled, drawing in a diverse audience from around the world.
None Of Us Are Getting Out’s artistic vision extends beyond just music, delving into visual arts, fashion, and social commentary. Their multidimensional approach to creativity is evident in every aspect of their work, from thought-provoking album covers to impactful social media posts. None Of Us Are Getting Out’s commitment to authenticity and individuality sets them apart in the industry, garnering both critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base that resonates with their message of self-discovery and empowerment.
Lakeview
Tattooed, rural, and blue-collar country tandem Lakeview (Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy) have an unwavering faith in God, a belief in family and community, and a fanbase on social media that has grown rapidly in the past 12 months. Combine that with metal-core roots distilled into country hits like “Home Team” and “See Me in a Suit” by a love of early 2000s pop and rock-aimed country, plus contemporary, radio-ready sound. These elements define their early, fast-rising success.
The band has grown from playing in Chinese restaurants, church basements, and VFW halls to larger arenas because they’re comfortable in the rock lane and as a country duo, bringing traditional country fans together with non-traditional country fans. Like their fans, they’re hard-working heroes who wear Wranglers, boots, and cowboy hats or love Metallica shirts, black skinny jeans, and face tattoos. This is highlighted by their first Rock release, “Money Where Your Mouth Is” ft. southern metal-core band, Gideon.
“By the night’s end, all our fans realize they’re all the same at the core,” says the duo. Lakeview is on tour this fall with Breaking Benjamin, Staind, & Daughtry and Austin Meade this summer. Their self-titled debut album was released on September 13, 2024. Follow us on Instagram/ TikTok! @lakeviewcountry
Gravity Kills
Influenced by industrial metal outfits like Ministry and KMFDM, the American rock band Gravity Kills emerged in the music scene, delivering powerful and aggressive music. Their self-titled debut album in 1996 featured the hit track “Guilty,” propelling them to fame in the industry. Despite their initial success, Gravity Kills disbanded in 2003 after releasing three albums and gaining a dedicated following. Originating from St. Louis, the band consisted of guitarist Matt Dudenhoffer, keyboard player Douglas Firley, bassist/drummer Kurt Kerns, and vocalist Jeff Scheel, who joined the band in 1994. With a sound akin to Filter and Nine Inch Nails, Gravity Kills quickly gained popularity and signed a recording contract with Wax Trax!/TVT, leading to various soundtrack appearances and successful tours.
Following their debut, Gravity Kills released a remix collection called “Manipulated” in 1997, featuring reimagined versions of their tracks by renowned artists. The band continued their musical journey with the release of their second album, “Perversion,” showcasing another charting hit, “Falling.” Despite a period of silence from the band, rumors of their breakup circulated, but they resurfaced with a new record label, Sanctuary Records, and released their fourth album, “Superstarved,” in 2002. This album included notable tracks like a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” and the Mainstream Rock chart-topping single “One Thing.” Gravity Kills decided to disband shortly after the release of “Superstarved,” leaving fans eagerly anticipating a potential comeback that has yet to materialize.
AFI
AFI are leaders, not followers. A collective in a perpetual state of creative evolution as fluid as the evocative figures contorting on the cover of Bodies, their newest collection of songs. The record is a snapshot of unrelenting artists in motion, unconcerned with compromise or outside demands.
The band initially summoned a steady subcultural groundswell in the mid-90s, devoid of careerist ambitions. The band first made music as teenaged misfits in an obscure Northern California town, steadily assembling a dense catalog over the years marked by its diversity and authenticity.
The platinum success of Sing the Sorrow blazed a path for a generation of hardcore-punk weaned bands to similarly crossover. 2006’s Decemberunderground upended expectations again and earned AFI a second platinum plaque. Crash Love was another adventurous turn, with expansive and almost optimistic-sounding melodies, glistening with emotion. The haunting Burials arrived four years later, debuting in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The self-titled follow-up, commonly referred to as “the Blood Album,” became AFI’s second-highest charting album since their inception, debuting at No. 5 in 2017.
Cinderella
Cinderella, the iconic hard rock band originating from Philadelphia, PA in 1982, consists of talented members including Tom Keifer on lead vocals and guitar, Eric Brittingham on bass, Fred Coury on drums, and Jeff La Bar on guitar. Their explosive entry into the 80’s music scene brought forth multi-platinum albums, hit singles, and extensive airplay on MTV. With a discography comprising 4 studio records – Night Songs, Long Cold Winter, Heartbreak Station, and Still Climbing, in addition to several live and compilation albums, Cinderella solidified their place in rock history. Despite facing challenges in the mid-90s due to shifts in the music industry, the band regrouped in 1998 for a successful reunion tour, embarking on a series of 8 tours to date.
Maintaining their status as one of the premier hard rock bands, Cinderella has amassed a global fanbase, selling over 15 million records worldwide. Tom Keifer, the band’s frontman, pursued a solo career with the release of 2 solo albums. #keiferband’s 2019 album ‘RISE’ achieved remarkable success, charting in the Top 10 of BILLBOARD Hard Rock Sales, showcasing Keifer’s musical evolution while retaining his signature sound from the Cinderella era. Keifer’s dedication to his roots and musical heritage shines through on ‘RISE,’ blending nostalgia from ‘Night Songs’ and ‘Long Cold Winter’ with a modern flair, earning praise from critics and fans alike.
Rancid
Emerging from the blue-collar swamps of Berkeley, California, Rancid has now been a living, breathing punk rock band for over a quarter century. Back in 1991, after the demise of their much beloved and still influential first band, Operation Ivy, founding members Tim Armstrong (vocals, guitar) and Matt Freeman (bass, vocals) decided to do the impossible — start an even better band. Thus, Rancid. In 1995, Rancid released the classic platinum-selling “…And Out Come The Wolves.” They followed with the even more ambitious “Life Won’t Wait” in 1998, and in 2000, Rancid released another album entitled “Rancid,” just to see if anyone was paying attention. After “Indestructible” in 2003, Branden Steineckert (drums) joined to solidify Rancid’s current line-up. They subsequently released the albums “Let The Dominos Fall” (2009), “Honor Is All We Know” (2014), and “Trouble Maker” (2017). Through it all, Rancid has remained fiercely independent, never losing their loyalty to community or each other. Their music confronts political and social issues, while balancing personal tales of love, loss, and heartbreak with attitude. Rancid gives their listeners a community where everyone can belong. By carrying on the traditions and spirit of the original punk rock bands that came before, Rancid has become a legend an inspiration to punk bands that have come after. They are the living embodiment of East Bay punk.
Read MoreSTONE HORSES
STONE HORSES is a rock band hailing from the Mid-Atlantic region of the US, established in 2017. Comprised of individuals with a deep-rooted passion for rock music, STONE HORSES embodies a blend of experience and innovation. Guitarist Teddy Merrill, a connoisseur of rock history, draws inspiration from iconic figures such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Page, Hendrix, and Slash. Vocalist John Allen’s influences range from the early Blues Pioneers to modern legends like Chris Robinson and Chris Cornell. The band’s mission is clear – to create music with a lasting impact, capturing the essence of the human experience through themes of love, hate, struggle, and determination. Originally a duo, STONE HORSES expanded with the addition of drummer Jason Heiser and bassist Dylan Howes, enhancing their sound while staying true to their rock roots. Their debut single, “Reckless Ways,” released under Broken World Records, made waves by securing a spot on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart and achieving success on various music charts for weeks. Despite the music industry’s evolving landscape, STONE HORSES remains steadfast in their commitment to delivering authentic rock music, free from trendy influences, and characterized by raw, guitar-driven melodies that resonate with audiences of the new era.
Read MoreMastodon
Atlanta’s Mastodon are one of the most original and influential American metal bands to appear in the 21st century. Their wide-angle progressive approach encompasses stoner and sludge metal, punishing hardcore and metalcore, neo-psych, death metal, and more. The group’s playing style incorporates technically complex guitar riffs, lyric hooks, long, melodic instrumental passages, and intricate, jazz-influenced drumming with syncopated time signatures. Their second album, 2004’s Leviathan, was a concept set based on Moby Dick, Herman Melville’s iconic novel of whaling and obsession, and became the band’s commercial breakthrough. The record is regarded critically as one of the most important albums in genre history. 2011’s conceptual The Hunter reflected the band’s embrace of prog; it channeled disparate influences ranging from King Crimson to Opeth. 2017’s Emperor of Sand debuted inside the Top Ten and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album — the single “Sultan’s Curse” took one home for Best Metal Performance. Change and evolution (Mastodon’s raison d’être) are as integral to their musical identity as their personnel. 2020 saw the issue of Medium Rarities, featuring live cuts, covers, and instrumentals. In 2021, Mastodon returned to proper studio recording with the double-length Hushed and Grim, and in 2024, they teamed up with Lamb of God on the single “Floods of Triton.”
Mastodon formed in 1999 around the talents of guitarist Bill Kelliher, drummer Bränn Dailor, bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, and guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds. One of the more notable New Wave of American Heavy Metal acts, a genre spawned in the mid-’90s by bands like Pantera, Biohazard, and Machine Head, Mastodon’s innovative, lyrically astute blend of metal subgenres helped position the band as one of the pre-eminent metal acts of the early 21st century. Formed out of a mutual admiration for the Melvins, Black Sabbath, Neurosis, and Thin Lizzy, Mastodon signed with Relapse Records (Today Is the Day, Dillinger Escape Plan, Coalesce) in 2001 on the strength of a four-song demo. The EP Lifesblood arrived that same year, followed by the group’s full-length debut, Remission, in 2002. The album made positive waves in the metal community, but it wasn’t until 2004’s Leviathan that the band’s eclectic brand of proto-metal began to enter the bloodstream of the entire music community. As polished and melodic as it was brutal and genre-defying, Leviathan, loosely based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, signaled a turning point in Mastodon’s career, appearing on critics’ year-end Top Ten lists across the musical spectrum. Leviathan also featured a guest vocal appearance from Neurosis’ frontman Scott Kelly, which marked the beginning of a tradition: He has appeared on each of the band’s full-length recordings ever since.
Fred Durst
Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, born on August 8th, 1970, in Jacksonville, FL, and raised in Gastonia, NC, embarked on a diverse journey. Following a stint in the U.S. Navy post high school, he returned to Jacksonville at age 20 with aspirations of becoming a renowned tattoo artist. It was in late 1994 that Durst, alongside bassist Sam Rivers, co-founded the iconic rap-metal band Limp Bizkit. Their exceptional talent was recognized and acknowledged by their peers in Korn, leading to a remarkable opportunity to tour with House of Pain and the Deftones. The band’s extraordinary potential was soon discovered, resulting in a fierce bidding war that culminated in Limp Bizkit signing with Flip/Interscope to release their debut album, Three Dollar Bill Y’All, in 1997.
The breakthrough came with a sensational cover of George Michael’s ‘Faith,’ propelling the record to new heights on the charts. Noteworthy appearances on the 1998 Family Values tour further solidified Limp Bizkit’s position in the music industry. Their second album, Significant Other, made a monumental impact by securing the number one spot in the charts during mid-1999. Fred Durst’s vision and leadership, combined with the band’s exceptional talent, fueled their rapid rise to fame and success. With a unique blend of rap and metal influences, Limp Bizkit continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their electrifying performances and unparalleled energy, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene for generations to come.
Aaron Lewis
Aaron Lewis is renowned for his confessional lyrics and introspective personality that are at the core of Staind’s angst-ridden music. His country-oriented solo career continues to showcase his sensitivity and thoughtful vocals, allowing Staind to blend heavy metal bombast with melodic rock. Lewis embarked on his solo journey after Staind’s hiatus in 2011, releasing successful albums like The Road, Sinner, and State I’m In.
Hailing from Springfield, Vermont, Lewis’s childhood exposure to folk music influenced his emotional songwriting, especially evident in Staind’s tracks like ‘Epiphany’ and ‘For You.’ Similar to Kurt Cobain from Nirvana, Lewis maintained an unpretentious image, connecting with troubled youths through his emotional vulnerability. Staind’s breakthrough track ‘Outside’ paved the way for their mainstream success, while Lewis later pursued a solo career, achieving recognition in the country music scene with hits like ‘Endless Summer’ and ‘Goodbye Town.’