Julz Ramos of HATCHET "Attack is Imminent"!

Julz Ramos of Northern California's Thrash Metal prodigy HATCHET gave us the latest on what's around the corner for these talented guys.

HJB: Hey Julz! How have things been going? What's going on with HATCHET?

JULZ: Things are actually going pretty well right now. We have some solid newer members, a good solid set of shows coming up for early 2011, and we've been working with some great people on getting the new hatchet material to some people that can actually do some things for us. So hopefully we get some things solidified here in the early to mid 2011.

We were stoked to share the stage with Heathen on Feb 4th and also coming up with Glen Alvelais' new band LD/50 on March 4th. Glad to be De-Christening the MADHOUSE and seeing it come alive into a metal haven.

HJB: We are all so glad too!!!! Thank you for being a part of it!!

So the first time I saw HATCHET was a couple of years ago at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. I assumed you guys were from the city, but when and where did you guys start? And tell us more about the newer guys.

JULZ: We first started back in 2006 as most metal bands do in a garage playing Metallica and Slayer covers, getting the cops called on us and all that. We were a completely different band back then as far as members, experience and just all around.

As of now I have moved to Vocals/Guitar since the departure of our former vocalist and after trying numerous people and not finding the right fit musically and personality wise, I stepped into the role.
As for the newer guys they are actually guys from the local scene. Jon Fryman has been a member of FOG OF WAR since the band started, and with him on hiatus from that, it was a "must" move to ask him. Travis Russey has also been in a slew of metal bands around the scene, most formally Zombie Holocaust. He is also a great new addition to the band and I must say the group is tighter than ever in many ways.

HJB: You guys just did that Madhouse show with Heathen & Skitzo recently, what other bands have you played with and who would be your ultimate band to tour with?

JULZ: The Heathen show was great. The club is cool and I’m glad we have another spot to do metal shows at. Good high stage, an upstairs area....My only wish is that it will turn to all ages. I think that place would explode!!!

We have played with countless bands...Locally FOG OF WAR, DEVASTATOR, ZH, DEKAPITATOR (RIP), HEATHEN, FORBIDDEN, TOXIC HOLOCAUST etc...

As for ultimate band to tour with I'd have to say TESTAMENT. They are one of if not my personal biggest influence in writing Hatchet material. They just have such a unique vibe to them.

HJB: YES!! TESTAMENT & HATCHET!!! I wanna go to that show! Speaking of shows...tell us you next upcoming shows.

JULZ: Well I just heard that we are gonna be supporting LAZZ ROCKIT & HEATHEN June 4th @ the Avalon Ballroom. Which I'm completely stoked for. And it’s gonna be ALL AGES!!!! WE also have our second run at MADHOUSE coming up March 4th and March 26 a good ole fashioned Thrash Fest at Gilman with Witchaven + Killbot!!!

So we are on a roll....

HJB: Thank you Julz!! I'm looking forward to seeing HATCHET again soon!!!

For more information go to Hatchet's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/hatchetofficial  

Hatchet's Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/hatchet2006

Also please come check out Hatchet with LD/50, Severed Fifth & Something Left Unsaid on Friday, March 4th at MADHOUSE: http://www.madhouseevents.com/

Hatchet "Attack is Imminent" 2/4/11by John Ryus

February 2011 Hella Hawtie Jill Abbott

Late last year we lost a very beautiful person, Jill Abbott. We were "Facebook" friends and I saw her at many concerts in the Bay Area. Close, long time friends Devin Walker and Gaby Chickering shared insights about Jill. Heaven now has one more angel but we will always have Jill in our hearts.

1. What were her top three favorite bands and why? 
Top bands Slayer, Pantera and third is real tough, it would have to be a tie between Black Sabbath, Down, BLS, Elvis & Johnny Cash.

2. What was the first concert she attended or the first show you two went to together?
First concert for Jill was Motley Crue back around 83. First concert for us was Slayer in San Diego ( south of heaven tour).

3. What did she think about the music scene?
Music scene, hard question to answer for her but I think she would say that she loved the music scene first for the friendships she had made in it and second for the music.

4. What was the next show or few shows she was planning on attending?
As far as next show I have no idea, she would often just pop up with hey such & such is playing tonight lets go.

5. If she could meet anyone and ask a question, who would it be and what would she ask?
If she could meet anyone and ask a question, now that's a good one, there are a couple, First would be Lucille Ball & what make up do you use & does Ricky take out the garbage?  Second would be Elvis & if he was her boyfriend would he take out the garbage? Third would be Johnny Cash & how high's the water Johnny? I think Jill is laughing as I am typing this saying I nailed it.

A great day for Jill was going and feeding the ducks, spending some time working on the garden with Slayer cranked up and going for a bike ride. She had a very innocent and silly side to her that very few people knew or saw, I so wish that I had video of that side to show people the Jill that I knew, she was very protective of who she was and only let people see a small part of herself, with all of the tragedy that consumed her entire life she would still look for the best in people and could find a way to forgive people that I could never understand. She was deeply religious and on a daily basis would tell me not to say the lords name in vain. She carried the same bible around with her from 12 years old on and would read from it every day while listening to Slayer.

She loved the water and when she was young had swam in competitions that she set records in that still stand today 26 years later unbroken by later Olympic swimmers, when she was 12 she became the youngest female to swim to Alcatraz (she did it twice)!

Many do know but many don't, yes she was in Motley Crue's Girls, Girls, Girls video (I think she was 16 at the time), she was also in a couple other late 80's early 90s MTV Vid's for a former guitar player of Alice Cooper, Cane Roberts.

Daily for seven years out of Jill's hang out room I heard no less then 8 hours of Slayer, Pantera, Down, Johnny Cash, COC, BLS, Elvis, Exodus, Vio-lence, Motley Crue, Danzig, Black Sabbath, Machine Head, Static X, Testament, and yes Ratt. Jill loved music and never got tired of hearing the same songs and bands over and over everyday.

Being friends for 16 years and then in a relationship for seven years we saw each other at our best and worst. No matter what happened between us we never stopped loving one another, I have so many fond memories of Jill that I wish everyone that knew her could have had.

There is so much more, but I could write a book about her, time to sign off with a quote from Jill's Myspace page that I'll never forget:
"WE NEED TO BE THANKFUL FOR EVERYDAY WE WAKE UP, AND ENJOY LIFE....we never know when its our last day. So be kinder to your family and friends. Dont live in fear of things you are not sure of. GOTTA KEEP ON KEEPIN ON"!

Jill & I had pet names for each other, she called me Fred & I called her Wilma,
Thank you for the forgiveness in your heart Jill AKA "Wilma"
Love you always, Devin AKA "Fred"

Jill & Devin in 2001