YellowMoon's Archives

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

311 - 1995 Self Titled (Blue Album) Era 2 Promo Images

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Joey Belladonna (Anthrax Related Band) - Belladonna 1995 Press Kit

Text (done with Google Lens):

If anyone is expecting an Anthrax clone, they've got another thing coming, BELLADONNA is his own man-and band. Sure, JOEY BELLADONNA sold over seven million albums worldwide as the singer for Anthrax from 1985 to 1992, but with his powerful self-titled debut solo album on MAUSOLEUM, Joey has forged his own identity. And it's ultra-heavy, fluid and to the point. Joey Belladonna's own description? "Good and heavy, but in-the-pocket and vocal-orientated."

BELLADONNA, produced by ALEX PERIALIS [Anthrax, S.O.D., Testament] is 13 tracks of personal, aggressive songwriting Mega-heavy riffing, memorable melodies, in-your-face lyrics, and attitude make BELLADONNA- the band and album-a powerful new force in metal. It took the singer a couple years to compile the ideal lineup and songs, and that time allowed him to "reflect and find my own voice," as he explains. BELLADONNA kicks off with the newest song on the LP, "BLUNT MAN", the double-bass drums, insistent bass line and open-to-interpretation lyrics setting the pace for 12 more blistering tracks. While "INJUN" is clearly autobiographical, memorable cuts like "TWO FACED", and "ROB YOU BLIND", might reflect Joey's past musical experiences or then again, they might not. More to the point, "TAKEN BY FORCE" is about a UFO abduction

For his part, Joey is thrilled to have his hands on the reins. "I'm in a great position for myself," he notes. "I've got freedom, I can shine on my own merits. Everyone has a say, and the band really works together well" The stellar musicians in BELLADONNA-guitarist DAREN SCOTT, bassist JOE ANDREWS and drummer SCOTT SCHROETER are culled from the cream of the local crop in upstate New York. Joey had the luxury of hand-picking the best musicians and most compatible bandmates possible, and it shows on BELLADONNA. "Everyone is really attentive, willing to work hard, and there are no egos," notes Joey of his musical comrades.

Live, the band has done selected shows on the East Coast, to an overwhelming response. And yes, they will be doing some of the Anthrax songs that Joey helped make famous. Touring is inevitable, as BELLADONNA already has a built-in fan base that will certainly expand massively with the release of BELLADONNA. And while so-called alternative music is capturing a lot of fans, Joey and BELLADONNA are sticking to their hard-rock guns, trends be damned. The music we do is still happening for a lot of people's ears," concludes Joey. "We love the aggression, and the fans too"

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Friday, April 14, 2023

Scatman John - Veronica Magazine Interview 25th August 1995 (Dutch) (+Google Translated English)

A link to all uncompressed images is at the bottom of the page.

Cover

Index

Dutch Interview (translation at bottom)

Charts

The "Scatman's World" title track was #5 that week, #6 the previous week, and on the charts for 6 total weeks up until that point.

The "Scatman's World" album was #26 that week, #40 the previous week, and on the charts for 4 total weeks up until that point.

English interview: (THIS WAS DONE WITH GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND MAY NOT BE 100% ACCURATE!)

“You are OK the way you are!”

Five years ago, Scatman John left his hometown of Los Angeles for Europe to start a new life. His career as a jazz pianist and singer received a new impetus and with two hits and his CD "Scatman's World", he has finally shaken off years of frustration.

“Man, I just don't know what hit me; an old guy like me in video clips, my single 'Scatman' that went platinum in many countries and all those young people who go crazy to my music," says the fifty-three-year-old singer in a happy tone. In a shiny tracksuit, he leans back relaxed on the couch during the interview. To demonstrate that all the scat work he shows on his record really comes from his vocal cords, he occasionally starts to scat spontaneously. Scat singing is nothing new, it has been used in jazz for years, Al Jarreau has also become famous from it, it's actually very fast babbling. Someone from the record company once heard me perform in Stockholm. He suggested doing a bit more with that scatting. And now all of a sudden I'm the Scatman. Weird, but very nice."

Complex

John would not have dared to think that he would become so famous five years ago.

“I was still trying to kick my alcohol and drug addiction. Of course that cost me a lot of effort. I had always resorted to narcotics because I had a massive inferiority complex. As you can tell, I stutter terribly when I talk. I've always felt that I wasn't taken seriously because of that. At one point I realized that I had to make something of my life. When I almost had my addiction under control, I decided to move to Europe right away. As a jazz musician I was more likely to get work there than in the States. And that was right; I was soon able to work in all kinds of jazz clubs. For the first time in my life I felt that people really listened to me. That I was a normal person. Now that I'm so successful, I finally dare to think 'You're okay the way you are'. I would like to pass that message on to everyone.”

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