rock music

Brian Haner, aka Papa Gates, Drops First Song, “Walking With the Moon,” From His Upcoming Blues Album

May 23, 2022 — Leave a comment

I think we can all agree that Brian Haner is a man of many talents. He has been a touring and session musician for years, starting right out of high school with Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. But I am sure what most of us younger people know him for is being the father of Avenged Sevenfold lead guitarist Synyster Gates, and his comedic genius, both solo and alongside Jeff Dunham.

Earlier this month, Brian – affectionately known as “Papa Gates” or “Guitar Guy” – began doing live streams for the online music class that he and his son started. He also announced that he has a blues record coming out in December, and with the first stream came the first song from that album, “Walking With the Moon.”

The song is absolutely bad ass! It has a very classic rock feel, which makes sense given Brian’s history. Personally, it made me want to dance. I’m already thinking how much fun it would be to see live, but perhaps I’m jumping the gun. Lol. Check it out for yourself!

Talent:

  • Brian Haner – vocals, guitar
  • Chad Wackerman – drums
  • Bob Wackerman – bass
  • Jim Cox – B3
  • Nick Fainbarg – engineer & mix
  • Brian, Jr. – producer

Motivation Monday – Alter Bridge: “I Know It Hurts”

May 23, 2022 — Leave a comment

A few years ago, I went through a very serious depression. This is not me saying I am clinically depressed, but for several months I was miserable and there was nothing I could pinpoint and say “This is the cause, now I can work through it.” I basically woke up one day and couldn’t shake the feeling.

I tried a lot of things to cheer myself up, hoping to snap out of it and return to my normal, but nothing worked. My brother flew out to visit during this time and I felt okay only once while he was here: when he and I were riding around listening to music and not talking.

I found that certain songs granted temporary relief, and one of those was “I Know It Hurts” from Alter Bridge’s ABIII. I would play it on repeat, a single line jumping out at me every time –

“Now is not forever.”

The lyric stuck with me through my remaining dark days and after. In fact, it resonated so much that it was my first tattoo. (And yes, I have since had the chance to tell Mark Tremonti about it, though I couldn’t show him because it was too cold to take off my hoodie.)

So, much like last week, I wanted to share this song with anyone who might need it. You can check it out here, and I am posting the lyrics below.

“I Know It Hurts”

And you say this ain’t living
You say you can’t go on
You only take as you’re given
And now your hope is all but gone

Though you lost your way: now is not forever
But I know your pain

We all fall sometimes, you’re not the first
But I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts
In the end you’ll find what you deserve
Still I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts

There are tides slowly rising, the storm is on its way, yeah
But you can’t keep on fighting, so battered, worn, and so afraid
Though it’s sad and wrong, I hope you will remember: you must carry on

We all fall sometimes, you’re not the first
But I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts
In the end you’ll find what you deserve
Still I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts

There’s still tomorrow, hold on, hold on
There’s still tomorrow, just wait, just wait
There’s still tomorrow, hold on, hold on

We all fall sometimes, you’re not the first
But I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts
In the end you’ll find what you deserve
Still I know it hurts, yeah I know it hurts

Icon For Hire: Ready For Combat Tour 2022 (Updated 5/23)

May 23, 2022 — Leave a comment

With support from Awake at Last and Sumo Cyco, Icon For Hire is ready for combat! (Come on. I had to make that play on the tour name!)

  • 6/16 – Greensboro, NC – Blind Tiger**
  • 6/17 – Baltimore, MD – Zen West**
  • 6/18 – Lancaster, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
  • 6/19 – Williamsburg, NY – Sovereign
  • 6/21 – Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall
  • 6/22 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Craft House**
  • 6/24 – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room**
  • 6/25 – Columbus, OH – Rumba
  • 6/26 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
  • 6/28 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
  • 6/30 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
  • 7/1 – Bloomington, IL – Castle Theater
  • 7/2 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwoods
  • 7/3 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s Live Music
  • 7/5 – Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
  • 7/7 – Denver, CO – HQ
  • 7/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
  • 7/10 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom (New date!)
  • 7/11 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
  • 7/13 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
  • 7/14 – Anaheim, CA – Parish Room @ House of Blues (New date!)
  • 7/15 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
  • 7/17 – Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
  • 7/19 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
  • 7/21 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
  • 7/22 – Dallas, TX – Amplified Live

** No Sumo Cyco

The Remade in Misery Tour, Summer 2022

May 21, 2022 — Leave a comment

Memphis May Fire is hitting the road alongside From Ashes to New, Rain City Drive, and Wolves at the Gate. Tickets available at memphismayfire.com.

  • 6/24 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
  • 6/25 – Pittsburgh, PA – Enclave
  • 6/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
  • 6/28 – NYC, NY – Gramercy Theatre
  • 6/29 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
  • 6/30 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
  • 7/2 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
  • 7/3 – Pontiac, MI – Crofoot
  • 7/5 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
  • 7/6 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
  • 7/8 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
  • 7/9 – Kansas City, MO – Truman
  • 7/11 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
  • 7/12 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
  • 7/13 – Salt Lake City, UT – Grand @ The Complex*
  • 7/15 – Seattle, WA – The Croc*
  • 7/16 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom*
  • 7/17 – Berkeley, CA – UC Theatre*
  • 7/19 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall
  • 7/20 – Pomona, CA – Glasshouse
  • 7/22 – San Diego, CA – SOMA: Sidestage
  • 7/23 – Las Vegas, NV – 24 Oxford @ Virgin
  • 7/24 – Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom
  • 7/26 – Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Backroom
  • 7/27 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
  • 7/28 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
  • 7/30 – Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
  • 7/31 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham
  • 8/2 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
  • 8/3 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East

* From Ashes to New not performing