KickActs interveiws Jeremiah “Trauma” Stratton of (Hed)p.e.
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can
be found online.
I am Jeremiah “Trauma” Stratton! I can be found on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/jeremiah.stratton
https://www.facebook.com/jeremiah.stratton
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AoWRecruiting/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AoWRecruiting/
I’m born and raised in beautiful San Clemente, CA and currently reside in
Cleveland, OH. I’ve been playing drums for about 16 years now and have no
intention of slowing any time soon! Please review my Facebook for more
information!
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
It’s a hard question… There are so many! But to name a few, Dave
Mustaine, Vinnie Paul, Donald Tardy, Donald Fagen, Nobuo Uematsu, Howard
Shore, Verdine and Maurice White… The list just goes on and on. Megadeth,
Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Steely Dan have always been a huge influence due
to great song writing and the musical talent to back it up. My
appreciation for orchestral soundtracks have stuck with me since I was a
kid. Beautiful moody melodies are still some of my favorite items to be in
my music player today. And of course, groove! Vinnie Paul, Donald Tardy
(Pantera and Obituary) have always had me bobbing my head with their heavy
grooves.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music
business?
Well, here’s the best thing I can say… Constant and never ending
improvement! That’s not just advice for Music Industry, that’s advice for
success across the board!
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to
share?
Hmm…. Well actually the story of how I got connected with (HED)P.E. is
pretty amazing… I mean my cousin accidently called his friend one day who
worked at a studio across the alley from where (HED)P.E. was auditioning
drummers all week. They weren’t happy with the drummers they had all week
and after my cousin accidently called his friend Mark, Jared randomly went
into this studio and asked if anyone there knew a drummer that could play!
Coincidentally, my cousin was coming to see my Metal band at the time
called “Bloodbath and Beyond” THAT NIGHT, so Mark and my cousin Joshua
“LOGIC” Harris just happened to talk about me and my band on that mistake
phone call. I never met Mark before that day, but he said “Yeah my friend
has a cousin who plays and I can try him if you want?”. So I played my
show, my cousin got word and that night I talked to Jared over the phone.
He emailed me 6 songs, I listened to them on the way up there to the
audition the following morning after RAGING all night (hahahaha), and now
about 6 years later here we are! It’s been a heck of a ride, tell you
what!
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps?
Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or
boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I really enjoy Console Gaming (PS3, XBOX). Also, I love flying remote
control helicopters! I have a Hausler 450, and a Blade nanoCPX, both 6
channel full 3D flight helicopters! Those are loads of fun, but quite
expensive if you crash, let me tell ya!
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to
address that?
Well, the industry certainly has changed quite a bit, but I’m sure people
have been saying that about it for years and years anyway. Only certain
thing about life is change, so you either adapt or be left behind. That’s
why I said earlier, constant and never ending improvement is so important
because there’s always someone more hungry than you and ready to take your
business, you know?
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have
helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
That’s hard to say… Maybe it created a bigger market for sugar coated pop
music, but I don’t see it making a big impact on Metal or Rock markets at
all. Shows like American Idol are only entertaining when the people suck
anyway… hahahahaha
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Personally, I know it can’t be avoided. I wouldn’t care, so long as you
spread the word and come out to see us when we’re close! BUY SOME T-SHIRTS
INSTEAD!
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect
to hear.
Hmm… Mark Young is really into Bikram Yoga! Jackson Benge has a Masters
degree in Graphic Design or something like that… And Jared? Totally
began his Musical Journey playing the piano as a kid. That’s all I got!
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up
with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Not familiar with Giligan’s Island well enough to answer that one…
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so,
what was it?
Yes I know what it is, and the only vinyl I’ve ever purchased was
Mushroomhead’s latest record, “The Righteous and The Butterfly”.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the
first night in his sleep or what?
Ah, Justin Bieber doesn’t matter enough to me to hate or like him… Long
as he doesn’t act like a douche, as with anyone else, then maybe I won’t
knock him out… Maybe…
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
Yikes…
Which would you rather hear in concert?* * Lip synching or real vocals?
Real vocals for sure! I recently saw a show of a band I’ve been really
into lately, and was SO disappointed to see these clowns basically playing
along to their CD. How embarrassing! If I wanted to hear the CD version,
I’d enjoy it at home and hear whatever song I want to hear as many times as
I want to hear it. A show should be something special every time you see
it, where that band is at THAT moment. Ugh, I hate lip syncing…
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
If I knew the answer to that question, I would be WAY too busy to answer
you… hahahahaha j/k
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Nobuo Uematsu. I know you may not know who he is, but he’s a Japanese
Soundtrack Composer who did most of the Final Fantasy Series music. My
whole life his music has soothed my mind, and I still always listen daily
to ease my spirits.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Before my music career, I was an Executive VP of Sales at a lending
institution during the huge real estate boom in the early 2000’s. Yep,
total corporate pig with a suit and tie on every day, waking up miserable
daily. Money isn’t everything…
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy! It’s got everything; laughter, courage,
struggle, companionship, romance, action, and inspiration. I can watch any
of them at any time and be completely drawn in.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk
about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
LOVE!!!! LOVE!!!! Can’t say it enough, put a little LOVE in your heart
people! I would be happy to see more people walking around with more LOVE
in their hearts. In the great words of Abraham Lincoln in “Bill and Ted’s
Excellent Adventure”: Be excellent to each other… AND PARTY ON DUDES!!!!
Categories: General Tags: (Hed)p, drummer, facebook, MUEN Magazine, new album release, rock
KickActs interviews Randy Cooper of “Emperors and Elephants”
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can
be found online.
I’m Born and Raised in Dumas Texas, Moved to Denison Texas at 16. Founded
and started the band Texas Hippie Coalition in 2003-2012. Now in the band
EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS out of Chicago. Signed to Pavement records. Touring
our brand new record released January 21st, 2014. DEVIL IN THE LAKE. I’m
living in Pittsburgh PA.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, DIMEBAG, and Zakk Wylde. I play guitar
because of these guys and learned how to play from them. I’ve had the GREAT
Honor of Opening shows for PANTERA and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I’m a Texas guy
so I met DIME and PANTERA at 17 and soon after that was opening many shows
for PANTERA in the North Texas area.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music
business?
Learn all you can by watching and listening to other people. Don’t let
ANYONE tell you You can’t do it, because YOU CAN!!! Don’t fry your brain on
Drugs and Alcohol cause you’re gonna need it. DON’T EVER GIVE UP OR QUIT!!!
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I could have taken band in school as a kid but I chose to take sports.
You couldn’t do both, but I loved sports
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to
share?
Playing on the Jerry Springer show and playing the Brazilian National
Anthem in San Paolo Brazil in front of 1000,000 people
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps?
Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or
boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I enjoy family time with my kids and girlfriend, fishing, boating,
camping, I’m so outdoors I hate being stuck in the house during winter. I
love spring and summer, Lakes and Water.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to
address that?
I miss music like the 80s. Every band was Killer and exciting to see
Live. I’m glad I learned to play from the guitar players of the 80s. they
were the BEST.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice
have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
It gave people a chance to be heard that the world might have never had a
chance to hear.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
It’s Killing our record sells and downloads, and making it real hard for
bands to survive.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect
to hear.
Ron Stoppable can build anything with his hands. Jeff Windish is super
smart, and a recording engineer that did a big part of our DEVIL IN THE
LAKE CD. Jason Meudt does all our merch and dog tags. works for Dean
Guitars and does all their filming, is a photographer and did all the art
work and Videos for our record. Jesse is always coming up with new topic
and songs and lyrics and plays guitar too. I’m surrounded by BADASSES!
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up
with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Mary Ann she would be a good partner and Help Mate. Someone to work
together with.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so,
what was it?
All the KISS records on vinyl.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the
first night in his sleep or what?
Try work together and we will see how it goes.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
She has a beautiful gift. I hope she gets through the phase she is
going through.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
REAL VOCALS
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
I’m Hoping and Praying that We are!
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Zakk Wylde, BLS, He is a Like a professional athlete on a football team. A machine.
The KING of what a GUITAR HERO should be.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Broke my neck in a car wreck in 1991. paralyzed from the neck down. Rode
in a wheel chair for almost 2 years, learned how to walk and take care of
myself and retrained myself to play guitar again. I have no feeling in my
HANDS.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
ROCK STAR movie, cause that’s all I ever wanted to be.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to
talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT
LOUD”!
Follow your DREAMS! Follow your HEART. Listen to the VOICES in your
head. And PRAY everyday.
Categories: General Tags: chicago, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, MUEN Magazine, new release, pavement, randy cooper, Shauna O'Donnell, texas, youtube
(Hed)p.e “Evolution” Album Sampler Available For Streaming
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Metal, rasta, punk heavyweights (Hed)p.e. have made available a streaming
album sampler of their new album “Evolution” available here:
http://goo.gl/ExoMb6
<https://soundcloud.com/pavement-2/hedpe-new-album-evolution-sampler>
“Evolution” will be released worldwide on July 22 via Pavement
Entertainment. A limited edition pre-order featuring an autographed cd,
shirt, and VIP laminate to hang with the band before a show is available
through Facebook at the following link: http://bit.ly/1nbPggg
(Hed)p.e. will embark on a headlining tour run leading up to the infamous
“Gathering of the Juggalos” in July, followed by a co-headline USA tour
with Powerman 5000, and a UK/European tour supporting SOiL in October.
For more information visit: www.pavementmusic.com and www.headperocks.com
Categories: General Tags: juggalos, metal, MUEN Magazine, pavement, punk, RASTA, release, soundcloud, streaming
The Veer Union “Tour Dates” and New video!
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The Veer Union was founded in 2004 by singer/songwriter Crispin Earl from
Vancouver, Canada. The band made their mark in 2009 with the top 10 hit
single “Seasons” off their debut album *Against The Grain*,which peaked at
#7 and was the longest charting rock song for a new artist all year. It
became the theme song for the 2009 Stanley Cup winners, the Pittsburgh
Penguins. “Seasons” was also featured in all Major League Baseball
postseason telecast as well as NFL, NASCAR, ESPN, WWE, NHL and more.
Pavement Entertainment now brings you the “Deluxe Edition” of *Divide The
Blackened Sky* which includes three new songs and re-mastered tracks.
Frontman Crispin Earl said of the album,“*Divide The Blackened Sky,*is a
much darker and heavier effort than our previous works. It depicts all the
hard times we have been through over the last couple of years.” The band
will be supporting this effort with a full tour, a new single and video for
the single “Borderline” which can be viewed at
Revolvermag.com
*Beyond the Blackend Sky Tour Dates:*
*JULY *
04 Mt. Vernon, NY – Nothing Fancy Bar & Cafe
05 White Marsh, MD – House Of Rock
09 Myrtle Beach, SC – House Of Blues*
10 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade*
11 Orlando, FL – House Of Blues*
12 St. Petersburg, FL – State Theatre*
13 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl*
15 Baton Rouge, la – Varsity Theatre*
17 Dallas, TX – Trees*
18 San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live*
19 Houston, TX – Scout Bar*
20 Abilene, TX – The Lucky Mule*
22 Ft. Smith, AR – The Rib Room*
24 Arlington Heights, MI – Home Bar*
25 Detroit, MI – Diesel Lounge*
26 Cleveland, OH – Rover Fest*
29 Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe**
31 Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s*
*AUGUST *
01 Morristown, TN – Jefferson Federal Ampitheatre*
02 Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse*
03 St. Louis, MO – Firebird*
05 Sturgis, SD – Easy Rider Saloon*
07 Minot, ND – The ‘O’riginal Bar and Nightclub*
09 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue*
13 Rockford, IL – The District*
14 Peoria, IL – Crusens*
15 Fon Du Lac, WI – The Shack Event Center*
16 Glen Flora, WI – Northwoods Rock Rally*
17 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre*
**with TRAPT*
***with 10 YEARS *
Categories: General Tags: 10 years, 2014 tour, Beyond the Blackend Sky, MUEN Magazine, The Veer Union, trapt
(Hed)p.e. To Release New Album “Evolution” on July 22nd!
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Metal, Rasta, Punk infused heavyweights *(Hed)p.e.* have inked a worldwide
deal with Pavement Entertainment. The band’s 9th studio album aptly titled
“Evolution” is finished and will be released on July 22, 2014. This new
album sees *(Hed)p.e.*returning to its heavier roots that fans have come to
admire over the band’s lengthy career.
*”(Hed)pe is stoked to become part of the Pavement Family…they are the
perfect record label to release our new album EVOLUTION…cuz its heavy as
F**K, and the label specializes in heavy music…i appreciate the fact that
Pavement understands hedpe’s commitment to underground music and art, and i
look forward to getting this album out…very exciting times!” *
A preview of the new album can be heard at http://goo.gl/QntRwr
Track Listing
* EVOLUTION*
*1. ** NO TURNING BACK*
*2. ** LOST IN BABYLON*
*3. ** JUMP THE FENCE*
*4. ** 2MANY GAMES*
*5. ** NO TOMORROW*
*6. ** LET IT RAIN*
*7. ** ONE MORE BODY*
*8. ** NEVER ALONE*
*9. ** THE HIGHER CROWN*
*10. ** NOWHERE2GO*
*11. ** LET IT BURN*
*12. ** HOLD ON*
Categories: General Tags: hed planet earth, MUEN Magazine, new release, punk, RASTA, rock, soul
