2017 – Page 2 – Green and Black Music

Vic Rattlehead: A History of the Megadeth Mascot

September 28, 2017September 29, 2017 Green and Black Music1 Comment

Vic Rattlehead has been the face of Megadeth since day one. Even before scoring a record deal, Dave Mustaine had a clear vision for his mascot. The 1984 demo Last Rites proudly displayed a crude rendering of Vic on the cassette insert. Combat records quickly inked a deal with Megadeth and released Killing is my Business…and Business is Good! Unfortunately Vic’s entry into the national spotlight did not go as planned. Fans may love the inaugural Vic Rattlehead but the band was far from happy. Dave Mustaine claims he has…

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Metallica Damage Inc. Tour – Jason Newsted’s Second Gig

September 18, 2017September 18, 2017 Green and Black Musicjezebel's anaheim, metallica 19860 comment

The rise of You Tube has allowed unprecedented access to bootleg concert footage. Once the sole domain of grainy VHS tapes, fans can now watch virtually any recorded performance online. Occasionally, a unique moment is captured on film. Such is the case with Metallica’s 1986 Anaheim, California show at the now defunct Jezebel’s. Jason Newsted touring behind Master of Puppets gives the concert historical significance. It had been barely over a month since Cliff passed away and Anaheim was Jason’s second appearance with the band. Metallica are back on the…

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Danzig Concert Review – How The Gods Kill 25th Anniversary Tour – Philadelphia, PA 9-8-2017

September 9, 2017July 31, 2019 Green and Black Musicdanzig electric factory, how the gods kill0 comment

Danzig will be performing How the Gods Kill in its entirety at the 2017 Riot Fest. Given Glenn’s displeasure with extensive touring, those unable to travel were disappointed to miss a historic show. Fortunately, east coast fans had their wishes granted with the announcement of a mini tour in the days leading up to the festival. A short blurb on the venue website promised “many” songs from How the Gods Kill along with other fan favorites. I arrived at the Philadelphia show in time to catch a stellar set from…

Album Reviews Articles Observations and Musings

Kryst the Conqueror – Post Misfits Christian Metal

August 31, 2017July 21, 2019 Green and Black MusicDoyle fan club0 comment

After the demise of The Misfits, Glenn Danzig promptly formed Samhain. Jerry Only and Doyle seemingly disappeared from public view. What had become of the Caiafa brothers in the long gap between Misfits eras? They formed a Christian metal band! Kryst the Conqueror, pronounced CHRIST the Conqueror, was not a band in the traditional sense. The group never performed live and did not have an “official” singer. They DID, however, write a series of songs that mixed positive Christian messages with fantasy-themed lyrics. The Doyle Fan Club was formed in…

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Bobby Steele: Undead Misfit

August 16, 2017June 14, 2020 Green and Black Musicbobby steele misfits, the undead punk band1 Comment

Bobby Steele has gotten a raw deal. Before forming The Undead, Steele played on legendary recordings that laid the groundwork for The Misfits ascent to icon status. By 1980, Steele was fired and replaced with Jerry Only’s little brother. Doyle may get mainstream recognition as Misfits ax-slinger, but Bobby Steele deserves equal credit. Most fans discovered the classic Misfits recordings through compilations lovingly known as Collection 1 and 2. In the post-vinyl/pre-internet age, Bobby Steele’s contributions went largely un-credited. Collection 1 had little in the way of liner notes. Armed…

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The Clash – Exploring the Vanilla Tapes (London Calling Rehearsals 1979)

July 29, 2017July 31, 2017 Green and Black Musicthe clash 1979, the clash london calling0 comment

Persistent rumors of “lost” Clash recordings haunted die-hard fans for a solid 25 years. According to legend, The Clash documented London Calling rehearsals in a makeshift practice room at Vanilla Studios. This coveted material failed to surface, leading many to question whether the “Vanilla Tapes” actually existed. Joe Strummer first hinted at the existence of self-made tapes during a 1979 interview. Strummer proposed that bands could avoid expensive studio bills by recording on simple Teac machines. It was a noble idea, perhaps a way to extricate The Clash from corporate…

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Sonic Youth – Goo and the Moors Murders

July 7, 2017August 10, 2019 Green and Black Musicsonic youth raymond pettibon0 comment

Sonic Youth made their major label debut with Goo. An indie past was preserved with the inclusion of cover art by SST artist, Raymond Pettibon. The simple black and white drawing looked more like a demo tape than a corporate release. Pettibon’s past work typically used graphic imagery. Goo was comparatively tame. Violence was still present, yet purely textual. Three sentences spun a compelling narrative for two nameless black and white figures. Pettibon’s text added a cerebral component to the mystery couple. Adventures of the road were purposely open-ended. Overactive minds…

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Animated Music Videos and Movies

June 29, 2017October 20, 2017 Green and Black Musicbeatles yellow submarine, dinosaur jr the wagon, grateful dead animation, pink floyd the trial, ramones spiderman0 comment

Innovative musicians have long used animation to unite sight and sound. Imaginations run wild when unhindered by reality and anything is possible in a cartoon. From the sixties to the Internet age, the following videos are just a small sampling of what happens when animators interpret rock music. THE BEATLES – YELLOW SUBMARINE The union of animation and rock music dates back to 1968 with a film inspired by The Beatles. Yellow Submarine starred cartoon versions of the Fab Four along with a soundtrack of fan favorites. Yellow Submarine is set…

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The Black Sabbath Cartoon – “Lost” Clip from 1974

June 16, 2017October 20, 2017 Green and Black Musicblack sabbath 1974, tv funhouse0 comment

Imagine Black Sabbath as stars of their own Saturday morning cartoon. One clip floating around You Tube purports to be just that. Set in 1974, the show would have aired during the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath era. In the roughly three minute segment, Black Sabbath appear as animated caricatures of themselves. Bill Ward guzzles booze and talks incoherently. Ozzy is the ever-present clown, continually getting into hijinks, often without clothes. Tony and Geezer are depicted as stately rock stars that counteract the antics of their drug-addled singer and boozed up drummer.…

Articles Concert Review

Iron Maiden Concert Review – Philadelphia PA June 4th 2017 – The Book of Souls Tour

June 8, 2017July 31, 2019 Green and Black Musiciron maiden wells fargo center, The book of souls tour0 comment

Philadelphia has waited 26 years for a proper Iron Maiden concert. Area appearances since No Prayer for the Dying have been relegated to a tacky outdoor amphitheater in nearby Camden, NJ. When it was announced that Maiden were bringing The Book of Souls tour to the indoor Wells Fargo Center, fans responded by selling out the venue. Sold out shows across the world are the norm for Iron Maiden. North American crowds haven’t faired so well…. especially in a fickle city like Philadelphia. Previous stops in amphitheater hell revealed large…