Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 12/8/14.
Each week, the HRD team shares songs that fly below radio’s radar, ranging from lesser-known artists to deeper cuts from up-and-coming and established artists.
In addition to exposing the Hard Rock Daddy audience to new music that isn’t getting the attention that it deserves from radio, Music Discovery Monday also features a segment called “Hard Rock Music Time Machine,” which showcases older songs (from the 70s to today) that hard rock music fans may have missed the first time around.
All of the songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be heard on the embedded YouTube playlists beneath each section.
This week, Music Discovery Monday features an interview with Bobaflex’s Marty McCoy.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
BOBAFLEX – “Never Coming Back”
The follow-up single to “I’m Glad You’re Dead” off of Bobaflex’s most recent release, Charlatan’s Web, is an intense, melodic rocker that moves along at a frenetic pace (see full Hard Rock Daddy Review). Like the video, the band is a throwback to the old days, when bands traded off lead vocals.
In a recent interview, Bobaflex’s Marty McCoy, the lead vocalist on this track, shared his insight on the inspiration for the song and creation of the video, which was directed by his brother, Shaun….
“I was in a really long relationship and on a very long tour. I had a couple of days left before I came home to see the girl who I was with at the time (who I’m still with now). She called me up and said ‘I just can’t do this anymore.’ I couldn’t believe it, because I was just about to come home to see her.
We didn’t talk for about a week. During that time, I wrote the song at six in the morning on a park bench in a rest area parking lot. It was one of those songs that wrote it self as all of the emotions came pouring out of me.
I didn’t even want to show it to anyone initially, but I eventually showed it to my drummer, Tommy (Johnson), and he just came up with this vicious drumbeat. When I sang the lyrics to the rest of the band, they loved it, and the whole song came together really fast.
As far as the video is concerned, we got the chance to meet Dee Snider, who was a big influence on us. My brother and I were totally inspired by the Twisted Sister videos back in the day. I had directed the video for “I’m Glad You’re Dead.” Shaun was so excited about it, and said that he wanted to direct the video for “Never Coming Back.” I was happy to let him direct it because directing “I’m Glad You’re Dead” was such a huge undertaking. He was so happy to be able to do a 1980s, cheesy video intro. He got exactly what he wanted out of the video; it really captured his personality.
The funny thing about the video is that the little, 4-yr old kid (who is the son of one of my good friends) was telling everybody what to do, and what their lines were. It was cheesy acting, but he can really act. When mistakes were made, he insisted that we do it again to get it right.”
**The full interview with Marty McCoy will be featured on HardRockDaddy.com in the near future**
CIMINO – “Start All Over”
When Kyle Cimino sings the first note of “Start All Over,” you can’t help but wonder if Jon Bon Jovi is performing under a pseudonym so that he can return to the edgier sound that defined him back in the “Runaway” days. As the song progresses, this power trio from Kansas City shows that they are much more than a nostalgic homage to the early days of Bon Jovi, infusing elements that range from Buckcherry to Alice In Chains. The end-result is a song with a familiar sound that is unique in its own way.
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
ARSON CITY – “I’m Awake”
A harder edge that you might expect upon learning that the vocals come from Patrick Wilson (ex-Emphatic), who joined forces with members of The Wreckage to become Arson City (after their own vocalist joined Emphatic). Back story aside, this song from the band’s debut EP provides a good glimpse of the gritty, modern direction that the unit seems to be taking.
BLACK SWAN THEORY – “When Kings Bow Down”
Take an energetic female vocal, mix it with punk-inspired riffs and a prog-inspired solo, and you get … a surprisingly tasty treat. This Montreal-based band (not to be confused with an Egyptian power metal band of the same name) seems to have remained largely below the radar thus far, but this song (from late 2013) more than holds its own side-by-side to similarly comprised acts that have gotten a lot more airplay and attention.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
DIVINE ASCENSION – “Sorrow’s Sacrifice”
Hailing from Australia, progressive metal band Divine Ascension has sculpted a work of art with their latest album, Liberator. The vocals of Jennifer Borg stand out on the moving “Sorrow’s Sacrifice,” as do the guitars of Karl Szulik and Robb Inglis. A brilliant composition performed with power and emotion.
GRAND DESIGN – “Rawk ‘N’ Roll Heart Attack”
With an 80’s sound rich with harmonies, guitars, and a driving bass, Grand Design does Def Leppard and Warrant proud with their latest release, Thrill of the Night. The songs from these Swedish rockers move fast and scream fun, perhaps none more so than “Rawk ‘N Roll Heart Attack.”
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
THE PRETTY RECKLESS – “Going to Hell”
Another great voice here in Taylor Momsen. The band’s sound is schitzophrenic – and it’s completely intentional – smashing together punk, hard rock, metal and blues. “Going To Hell,” (the album’s title-track) has a sultry, raunchy rhythm line, the perfect complement to Momsen’s vocals.
UNISONIC – “You Come Undone”
Hard-driving, glory metal from Unisonic with the familiar voice of former Helloween singer, Michael Kiske. Great rhythm and articulate, fast, wailing riffs from Kosta Zafiriou support this inspiring track from their recent EP, For The Kingdom. Kiske hits the high notes as only he can. You’ll feel pretty charged up after hearing this one!
THRESHOLD – “Autumn Red”
From Threshold’s album, For The Journey, “Autumn Red” is textbook heavy prog metal. Hard-driving track with some funky (yet complex) interludes, and a memorable, melodic chorus. You’ll appreciate Damian Wilson’s polished vocals and harmonies and Threshold’s musical skill. If you like this track, check out “Watchtower On The Moon” from the same album.
HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE
ADAM WALDMAN
DAMAGEPLAN – “Save Me” (2004)
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the senseless loss of legendary guitarist, “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, who was shot and killed during a Damageplan performance at Alrosa Villa (a rock club in Columbus, OH).
Formed after Dimebag and his brother, Vinnie, disbanded Pantera due to their differences with frontman, Phil Anselmo, Damageplan was touring in support of their first and only album, New Found Power.
In a cruel twist of ironic fate, “Save Me” (the radio single that rose out of the ashes of Pantera) would never have been written if Pantera had continued on as a dominant arena metal band. Dimebag would have been “saved” from a tragically early demise that came at the hand of a psychotic gunman.
I cannot think of a better song to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Dimebag’s passing on Music Discovery Monday than Damageplan’s “Save Me,” a classic groove metal song written by one of the greatest metal guitarists of all time.
JON LOVELESS
HELIX – “Vagabond Bones” (2009)
The surviving members of the Canadian band’s classic 80s lineup reunited for a studio album that proved that they had lost nothing to the ravages of time, putting together a solid hard rock album that still had plenty of sing-along songs that were simply fun, including this track that fits well into their catalog (which dates back nearly 40 years).
TREMONTI – “Leave It Alone” (2012)
While Myles Kennedy may have the highest profile side project among the members of Alter Bridge due to his work with Slash, he’s definitely not the only member of the band with high quality work away from the group. Not only does this album cut provide a highlight with a relatively lengthy solo, Mark Tremonti also proves he’s a more-than-capable active rock vocalist.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
ASTRAL DOORS – “Lionheart” (2005)
With a nod to Ronnie James Dio, the great Nils Patrik Johansson sings up a storm for Swedish power metal band Astral Doors on this song of war and vengeance. It comes in like a lamb, but takes quick turn into a lion. It’s a tour de force of oaths and anger with sliding steel in the background.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
PINK CREAM 69 – “As Deep As I Am” (2004)
The intro grabs you right away as David Readman and rest of Pink Cream 69 power you through this passionate soul-searching tune. Heavy and thick chords make appropriate statements, and the scream of Alfred Koffler’s guitar is reminiscent of Queensryche. Especially impressive is the way that the song’s crescendo resolves to a running rhythm.
SAMMY HAGAR – “High Hopes” (1994)
One of the lesser-known great songs from the Red Rocker (circa 1994) was included as a new release in Hagar’s Unboxed compilation. As the story goes, the song was originally amongst those rejected by Van Halen. Can’t imagine this as anything other than solo Sammy material.
SUBMISSIONS
To be considered for Music Discovery Monday, please e-mail a link to the song being submitted on YouTube and an artist bio to…
submissions@MusicDiscoveryMonday.com
The pretty reckless-Going to Hell <3
Thumbs-UP to ROB DELL’AQUILA (music scout). He’s been discovering great metal / prog metal for his friend for almost a decade. Great to see him sharing on MDM!