Exploding Eggs with House of Broken Promises' Arthur Seay

House of Broken Promises' spectacular beard strutting, Les Paul Custom slinging, Arthur Seay shared a few words with me about their current adventure. With Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince as their road music the band has just finished rolling thru the Austin, Texas South by Southwest Music + Film Interactive (SXSW) and are heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, then back to San Francisco and then home to Southern California. The guys had a great time in Texas where among lots of mayhem, they also battled the infamous 3 pound cinnamon roll from LuLu's in San Antonio (it's been on Man vs. Food) had exploding eggs and chicken fried chicken. Some of their memorable moments during SXSW included doing a live acoustic set.

Eddie Plascencia, Arthur Seay & Mike Cancino

Arthur let me know that the band name comes from all the difficulties they went through with their other band Unida after they were signed by Rick Ruben to American/Sony Records. He explained, "It wasn't anything that we did that was the issue for Unida getting screwed it was the classic Sony that loved us but Rick left Sony and went back Island Def Jam. Sony loved us and Island didn't care about rock." When I asked him what advice he has for up and coming bands he came back with, "I always tell players and bands it's the music "business" and you have to pay attention to the biz part of it cause that's what it is business. And you can't look at it as  "oh I wish we did this and did that" that bullshit that will eat you alive, shit happens deal with and learn from it and progress farther from it". Very wise words.

House of Broken Promises is now with Small Stone Recording out of Detroit and are happy to be there. "Small stone has been great to us. Scott Hamilton is a cool straight up no bs guy.  We work hard and so does he, cool thing about Small Stone is that he shops our music to television and film which is where the money is these days cause nobody buys cds anymore really. We have music on the Kardashian's, many MTV shows like Road Rules Challenge etc. We are  gonna get on Sons of Anarchy also", he divulged. YES!!! Things are looking good for this talented trio.

If you are in San Francisco on Friday, April 1st you can catch them live at MADHOUSE:
http://www.madhouseevents.com/

THEY WILL ALSO BE AT FAT CAT IN MODESTO on Thursday, April 7th: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114274118649933#!/event.php?eid=114274118649933
AND AT BABYLON CLUB IN FRESNO on Friday, April 8th: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114274118649933#!/event.php?eid=186027638106337


You can also find out more about them and their upcoming shows at
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1064834419#!/HOBPMUSIC
Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/houseofbrokenpromises
ReverbNation page: http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/houseofbrokenpromises

Flyer by Ron Crockett

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

The Buzz On INSANITY

We were able to invade the Bay Area's Thrashing Old School Death Metal band, INSANITY's rehearsal recently. Dave Gorsuch, Falko Bolte and Juan Casarez shared the happenings.

INSANITY REHEARSAL MEDLEY 11/23/2010

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE INSANITY INTERVIEW 11/23/2010

and more great INSANITY clips

INSANITY live at MURDERFEST 3/27/07 - Death After Death

INSANITY live at MURDERFEST 3/24/07 - Fire Death Fate

Be sure check out their Myspace http://www.myspace.com/insanity

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/INSANITY/57208433713
and Reverb Nation http://www.reverbnation.com/oldschoolinsanity

And check out their only Bay Area Show for 2010 on Friday, December 3rd

at MADHOUSE @ Club Cocomo, 650 Indiana Street, San Francisco

with Potential Threat, Black Mackerel and Severed Fifth.