Tag Archive for: 80s rock

HELIX’S BRIAN VOLLMER ROCKS ALL ACCESS LIVE!

Helix was formed in 1974 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. In 1976, the twin-guitar attack of Brent “The Doctor” Doerner and Paul Hackman joined the band, helping shape the group’s signature sound. After releasing two independent albums, Helix signed with Capitol Records, launching their major-label career with No Rest for the Wicked (1983), featuring the breakout hit “Heavy Metal Love.” The band gained further international success with Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge (1984), driven by their iconic anthem “Rock You,” which received major MTV airplay along with a controversial X-rated version of the video.

Throughout the 1980s, Helix continued to release acclaimed albums and tour worldwide, sharing stages with KISS, Alice Cooper, Motorhead and Ian Gillan. Despite the tragic loss of guitarist Paul Hackman in 1992, Brian Vollmer carried the Helix torch forward, working with various top-tier musicians, including members of Brighton Rock, Killer Dwarfs, Harem Scarem, and Crash Kelly.

Helix’s legacy was further cemented in 2003 when they were humorously featured in an episode of the Trailer Park Boys television show sparking renewed interest in their music. In 2005, Vollmer released the book Gimme An R!, documenting his life on the road and in the studio. In 2010, Vollmer released Smash Hits…Unplugged, an acoustic re-imagining of Helix classics, some of which are now featured on this latest compilation.

Today, Helix continues to tour and record, with Helix : 50 – The Best Of serving as a monument to their enduring legacy.

SEE THEM LIVE!

Brian and The band will celebrate the release Helix : 50 – The Best Of with a special unplugged concert. Wednesday, May 21, as part of the McBowl Concert Series, an annual charity event in Mississauga, ON, Canada. Brian Vollmer and Daryl Gray will be joined by former Helix guitarist Sean Kelly, who will also host a retrospective discussion on the band’s history. Before the performance, Vollmer will launch Helix : 50 – The Best Of via a live-stream event, sharing stories from the band’s iconic career hosted by Jimmy Jay of The Metal Voice.

For McBowl Concert Series tickets: www.classicbowl.com/concerts/mcbowl

SKID ROW’S ROB HAMMERSMITH ROCKS ALL ACCESS LIVE

Rob’s musical journey began at an early age in a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. Starting out in the cover scene, Rob quickly developed an appreciation for a solid back beat and playing for the song. An approach to drumming that he still considers the foundation for his style today.

Later settling in Atlanta, GA, Rob’s drumming quickly gained attention in the rock underground. Rob spent many years touring and recording with Atlanta rockers “Rockets to Ruin” and toured with “Gunfire 76” featuring “Murderdolls” frontman Wednesday 13. Rob also maintains a busy schedule of recording and working with many different bands and artists throughout the country.

In April, 2010, Rob was offered the drum position in the multi-platinum selling rock band Skid Row. When asked about his new gig Hammersmith answered “Having always been a fan, it is an honor to be asked to join the band. The band’s music and history holds a special place in both my life, and the lives of so many loyal fans. To be a part of that history is the chance of a lifetime.”

ALL ACCESS LIVE with BLACK N’ BLUE’S JAIME ST. JAMES

Jaime St. James is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the glam metal band Black ‘N Blue. He also served briefly in the mid-2000s as the lead singer of Warrant, but he left upon the return of the band’s original lead singer Jani Lane in 2008. He sang (and co-wrote several tracks) on Warrant’s 2006 album Born Again. Born James Pond, St. James started out playing drums, as he had fantasized about being a rock drummer during his youth.

He began his professional music career while a student at Cleveland High School, where he and classmates Dan Kurth, Barry Pendergrass, and Ray Malsom formed the Molly Hatchet-inspired combo Jet. Pond and Jet are featured prominently in the 1977 Legend, the yearbook of Cleveland High School. The band was briefly a favorite among Portland’s high school crowd, and his version of the ZZ Top song “La Grange” was an early hint of his future fame.

It was also during high school that Pond met his then-classmate and fellow musician, Tommy Thayer, creating a friendship that has lasted to the present. He and Thayer formed a band that ultimately evolved into Black ‘n Blue, which gave the two their first taste of mainstream success.Following Black N’ Blue, St. James performed with the bands Freight Train Jane, The Glorious Things (which also featured former Warrant guitarist Billy Morris), and his own band St. James, which Billy Morris guested with.

Jaime St. James also played drums for the Kiss tribute band called Cold Gin, playing the role of Peter Criss. Tommy Thayer, band mate of St. James in Black ‘N Blue (and current member of Kiss) was also in Cold Gin, playing the role of Ace Frehley. He co-wrote one Kiss song with Gene Simmons and Scott Van Zen: “In My Head”, which appeared on their album Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions.

Aside from Black ‘N Blue, St. James is currently a member of the Hard Rock All Stars with Juan Croucier of Ratt, Stacey Blades (formerly of L.A. Guns) and Pete Holmes of Black ‘N Blue / Michael Schenker. Their set list includes songs from their own respective bands Black ‘N Blue, Ratt & L.A. Guns.In late 2013, St. James joined the live show Let It Rawk with Stacey Blades, Oz Fox, Scot Coogan, Eric Brittingham and Sean McNabb. The band currently performs regularly in Las Vegas, Hollywood, and at various rock festivals.

ALL ACCESS LIVE with BAM!

“Haircoustic” versions of big rock tunes from the 80s and beyond!”

Brandon Cook, Andrew Greene and Michael Killian (B.A.M.) have made singing along to your favorite hairspray-influenced rock a lot easier on the ears by taking the MTV’s Headbangers Ball genre down to a simple acoustic form. The songs you know and (secretly) love are just what you needed to start the weekend off with a “BAM”!

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

Tag Archive for: 80s rock

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