Livestream Event celebrates 80s Photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss

These days livestreaming seems to be one of the few possibilities to stay in touch with fans, supporters and to spread the word that music is still alive and kicking.

David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert, with legendary music photographer Mark “Weissguy” Weiss will go online on Saturday, May 30 6PM CST/ 7PM EST to celebrate "THE DECADE THAT ROCKED".

Artwork: Melody Myers

Everything in this issue of the "Oh say you can stream" series is focussed on the work of photographer Mark "Weissguy" Weiss and his upcoming book, THE DECADE THAT ROCKED: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MARK “WEISSGUY” WEISS, which will be available June 2nd from Insight Editions.

The book features almost 400 pages of Weiss’ iconic images, with over 700 photographs of legendary artists including Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Megadeth, Twisted Sister, Joan Jett, Van Halen, Aerosmith, KISS, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, and many more.

The livestream event will feature a massive guest list that contributes:

Zakk Wylde
Scott Ian (Anthrax)
Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
Don Dokken (Dokken)
Tamie Downe (Faster Pussycat)
Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Ozzy)
Stephen Pearcy (Ratt)
JJ French (Twisted Sister)
Jack Russell (Great White)
Jacob Bunton (Mick Mars, Adler)
Mark Slaughter
Roxy Petrucci (Vixen/Madam X)
Maxine Petrucci (Madam X)
PJ Farley (Trixter)
Dave Alvin (White Trash)
Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth, Evil United)
Carmine Appice (Ozzy, Blue Murder, Vanilla Fudge)
Marc Storace (Krokus)
Bruce Kulick (KISS)
John Gallagher (Raven)
Dean Davidson (Britny Fox, Blackeyed Susan)
Bob Chiappardi (Concrete Marketing)
Andre Comeau (The Real World NYC)
Fred Coury (Cinderella)
Steve Lacy (FOX 5 NYC)
Steve Whiteman (KIX)
Chip Z’Nuff (Enuff Z’Nuff)
THOR
And more TBA!

The David Ellefson Youth Music Foundation (DEYMF) has also set up an eBay auction in connection with the event, with auctions running all week including signed Mark Weiss prints, a collection of Ellefson’s stage-used clothing and gear, and other donated items. You can find the listings at: https://www.ebay.com/usr/ellefsonyouthmusicfoundation

You can stream the event at:

twitch.tv/grammymusiced 
facebook.com/davidellefson 
youtube.com/davidellefson 
facebook.com/grammymusiced 
facebook.com/thedeymf

Unearth hidden underground demo gems with free download sampler

Big names were once small one's... Do you sometimes find yourselves looking through your collection and finding old records of bands that sadly never made it out to a bigger audience? This happens often to me.

I recently took a look at some demo tapes I bought quite some time ago and thought about those bands again. Mostly it was the case that I went to their shows and was excited to see and hear something new. So often I found myselves purchasing those stuff after the show was over directly out of the hands of the artists. What a great feeling to buy directly from those who create what we all love and like.

It's cool to see the same thing seems to happen in other parts of the world, too. It's a great to see that others also do care about this stuff and try to save it from the dust of time. One that I just ran across is the Texas Metal Underground Records label. Read below what's their mission and pick up the nice goodie they offer you.

Texas Metal Underground (TMU) Records have released their first ever free digital music sampler featuring one full mp3 song from their entire re-issued curated catalog releases.

(c) by TMU Records, used with kind permission

TMU Records has provided the following mission statement:
"Since 2008, TMU Records has been unearthing lost and unheard musical gems from the fertile underground Texas metal scene of the mid 1980’s through the early 1990’s. To preserve and share this heavy musical legacy, the label focuses primarily on bands who burned bright, briefly, but disappeared without a trace before anyone could take much notice.

Bands who managed to get a demo recorded but for reasons unknown never shared it beyond a close circle of friends and fans. Whether on vinyl, CD, or cassette, all TMU Records releases are given lavish treatment with custom packaging, unseen photos, show flyers, interviews, informative booklets, rare bonus tracks and extras for the denim and leather die-hards.

For 2016, look for upcoming deluxe vinyl releases from Karion, Las Cruces, Bad Heaven, SSR, and more!

TMU Records digital music sampler tracklist:

1. Broken Teeth - Flame Thrower
2. Baron Steele - Night of the Wolves
3. Sentinel - Panzer Attack
4. Wicked Angel - People of the Black Circle
5. Meddallion - Stormbringer
6. Final Vengeance - Darkside
7. Wicked Step - Rock N Roller Masses

Download the free songs, compilation artwork and track listing from this location.

For further information on the label make sure to see the TMU Records website and if you'd like to purchase one or more of their releases just click on to the Bandcamp page. Most of the stuff is available in various formats so you can pick exactly what you need.

Here are some of my impressions that I had while I checked out the free compilation: The backside of the compilation shows how much love the people behind the releases spend on this. Every band is featured with a little image of the cover. Above you'll find the original band logo and a short discription underneath the image gives a quick idea of the band's style as well as information on the re-release special features. Don't miss out these gems.

While I'm typing these lines I'm enjoying the track included of the Baron Steele camp. How much I love the rough style of demo recordings. And it's cool to hear what this band contributed to the sound of their time. Hope many more will appreciate this. And while you're enjoying this why not go out and support demo band's of today's as well? Go and give them the support you're able to give'em. They are the source of tomorrow, our future. Never forget that. Big names were once small one's.