Author Archives: steviehimself

Had a great conversation with a friend today on the phone (what? no text?) and one thing that she brought up was how heavy metal has/had these rules that you had to adhere to, in order to fit in that tribe. I never got the memo apparently. She said “When you do something different, you’reContinue reading “HEAVY METAL (WITH NO) RULES!”

The ISSA Awards show happened yesterday. After many months of wondering who will take home the top prizes, the results were announced on their website. No I did not win Male Album Of The Year. But that’s okay! As I have been saying, being nominated was a win, and then being a finalist was theContinue reading “AND THERE YOU HAVE IT…”

All of us want to fit somewhere. Some find their tribe early on. Others think they found their cool kid’s table but then they move on (or people move on without them). For years, I grappled with “Where do I belong?” The answer hit me a few years ago yet I still tried to convinceContinue reading “WHERE I BELONG”

Should I be having this much fun at 52 years old? Yes. Yesterday’s show at Debonair Music Hall (Teaneck, NJ) for NJ Metalfest 7 was off the rails! Eleven bands, each bringing their own heaviness to the stage. And then there was my trio. Were we going to be accepted by people who worship atContinue reading “MY HAIR HURTS”

They say there’s a first for everything. So here’s one for the books: I played in Pennsylvania for the first time ever. Why is this such a big deal to me? For one thing, I enjoy getting out of Dodge for a few hours. I am proud to be a New Jersey resident but let’sContinue reading “SCREAM FOR ME, PENNSYLVANIA!”

Well it can be told…I have moved on from Spectraflex cables after many years. I have nothing but great respect for Dave Russell, as he has always been so gracious to me even when I thought I was a pain in the butt. Everything was on very good terms but it was time for aContinue reading ““CABLE GUY!!””

So it’s Father’s Day today. What’s a 7-string guitarist to do? Have rehearsal, of course! Rehearsal on Father’s Day?! WHY NOT! We had an earlier rehearsal so we could leave early to enjoy the rest of a beautiful day. Went over the six songs and everything sounded killer! For some reason, the music’s getting heavier…andContinue reading “REHEARSAL ON FATHER’S DAY?!”

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of introspection (meanwhile my car passed inspection back in April…is that the same thing?) This happens when self-doubt creeps in from time to time. The plight of being a musician! I am usually alone with my thoughts and ideas. True artists tend to work best alone. I was neverContinue reading “BEING MYSELF”

Did you feel your house shake from where you are sitting? Oh, that was us rehearsing for the first time since February. Sorry not sorry. Last rehearsal was late February before the March 4 gig. So today Mike, Brian, and myself convened at Bandmother Recording to peel the paint off the walls. As you canContinue reading “MAKE THE HOUSE SHAKE”

Inspiration is a funny thing. It either hits you in one fell swoop, or it ignores you for months. Sometimes you get so many ideas attacking you, that there aren’t enough hours in the day to jot them all down. Or you sit there hearing paint dry. Fortunately I fall into the former camp. WithContinue reading “WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM?!”