I’m typing this on July 4th, and it also happens to be the 250th anniversary of America! I have no gigs or lessons this weekend, nothing to do, nowhere to go…

I don’t want to be sedated though.

I’m taking full advantage of enjoying downtime. Yes, I love teaching and performing. Nothing feels like work to me anymore. I half-joke that I’m semi-retired, and that might possibly be true. This week has been rather quiet, as lessons slow down for obvious reasons. Gigs will start up again on July 10. So what to do?

Re-do the back cover of my new album to start. I had to plop $614 on a new alternator last Wednesday, and in the past I would have felt deflated and defeated. But since I’m in a better place mentally, I told myself “This had to happen for a reason.” So I completely re-did the back cover with the liner notes, and will most likely jostle more ideas around. Sent the idea to my friend Rob Englehardt and he suggested a couple more tweaks, which I will do soon. All while sitting in front of my fan!

So while I had a setback with my car, it didn’t dampen my spirits. Not like the music disappeared, right? Once I get more gigs under my belt, I will recoup the money again so I can finally get the new album mastered. Mike and I will head up to Joe Lambert’s when I have everything lined up. And we will watch his magic, twisting knobs and watching his ears perk up over my strange solos.

Even though it’s been sticky outside, I still enjoy doing walks. I don’t stay out too long, just enough to work up a sweat; I still have some winter weight to get rid of! You’d think with the gigs I had, and moving gear all over, that I would drop more weight. I may have but want a little more to evaporate. I will never be the weight I was back in high school but if I can trim down a bit more, that will work.

Oh and I ordered a cool new Jimi Hendrix shirt that should be in the mail soon 🙂

The title of this blog is a bit misleading but stay til the end. Trust me.

Last night I filled in with the band Evolution for the first time in two years. A lot has changed since then, starting with them having a drummer who is more solid and pushes things nicely. Kept the songs focused. Less dead air time in between songs, which is the ultimate mood killer for crowds that are dancing all night. The set list flowed a lot better as a result, with songs ranging from Sugar Ray to Metallica.

I am always a blunt dude but never hurtful. I told the band during the show and afterwards that this was the best show I ever filled in for with them. Think they appreciated that very much. And it wasn’t just them stepping up. I learned to loosen up as well; that might be the result of doing a bunch of shows with Supernova (I’m pretty much their new guitarist now). Consistency is key, and all of us showed it. In the past I would have obsessed over every little note but lately my approach is two-fold: I don’t need to impress anyone anymore, and people go to SEE a show, not HEAR one.

But it helps that the band sounded more cohesive and direct this time around. Of course we had fun, as evidence by the crowd reaction. “Smiles everyone” as Mr. Roarke once said in the 70s…and I just dated myself real bad! I think the band were pleased with me too.

After the show ended, and I was packing up, someone played Whitesnake’s “The Deeper The Love” on the digital jukebox or whatever you young kids call it now. I thought to myself “You don’t hear Steve Vai in a bar too often.”

Was this a sign?

‘Twas a beautiful day for a nice loud rock show at Charley’s Tavern yesterday. The sun was bright and scorching hot, a nice breeze wafted through the air, and all I could think as I was setting up was…

These poor people are gonna need therapy after hearing me play.

This was the fourth show overall, and third with Supernova, and each show is getting better and better. We’re all dialed in with each other, know when to turn up the heat and then dial down the dynamics. Also know how to get the crowd dancing and singing along (alcohol seems to help). Still I tell myself, “You’re just too damn quirky for most people.” They don’t seem to mind though.

First set started off well, with the usual songs that have a nice flow to them. Second set, more of the same, even with Mike pulling up songs on the fly and we just gun it. No dead air here! Can’t have that, or else you lose people. The third set was definitely one for the books…

Tony broke a bass string, rare in these parts, and he didn’t have a spare set in his bag. So while he ran to his van to get another bass, Mike said to Chris and I, “Purple Rain”. And without any hesitation, I launched into the classic Bbadd2 chord (which is still a bitch to play!) and the crowd stood there with jaws to the ground. Tony hooked up another bass, and I yelled out the chord changes to him as we were playing. I have not played this song since my days in Mary’s Basement; last time was 2017! So I told myself “Remember how the solo goes, you prick!” and while I fumbled at times, the crowd ate it up. One of the security guards at the place told me later on, “Prince is hard to copy but you nailed it!”

Damn right I did!

It was a night at the improv with that tune for sure but isn’t that what playing live is all about. Granted, we structure things, make sure the vibes are solid. But every so often, the universe throws a curve ball. And if you don’t have your mitt or cup, well…ouch.

Supernova will be on a two-week break until July 10. But I am hoping another band might need my assistance between now and then. I truly enjoy playing with Chris, Mike and Tony, and it’s safe to say this is the first time in the history of ever where I am accepted and feel appreciated.

That crowd though…I feel bad for their ears 😉

It’s super rare for me to talk about sports. I’m simply not a fan. Won’t spoil it for anyone else though. But am going to say this…

So glad the NY Knicks won last night!

Why would I mention that? Because Supernova played last night at Mason Street Grille, and while most bands’ shows were being cancelled due to the game, ours was still on. Yet when we hit the stage at 9pm, the place was strangely empty. I thought, “Well I guess people are staying home?” That all changed around 10pm or so.

The room started filling up more and more, with a lot of younger people. I am officially an old fart for saying that. Most of the patrons had to have been around the age ranges of my three kids (29, 27, and 25). Maybe even a bit younger. The game was still happening and the vibes were rising. During the second set, the band stopped so people could watch the last nine seconds of the game. Again, I simply don’t give a crap but watching everyone else bite their nails was a sight to see.

With that, the Knicks won their first championship since 1973.

And with that, we could have played The Wiggles and the crowd would have loved it.

We felt unstoppable from that second forward. Black Sabbath, Rick Springfield, Prince and Mountain (you read that right)…anything we played was met with screams and wild applause. This is why I’m glad the Knicks won.

I have to say, props to Mason St for totally revamping the place! It looks so much bigger, all the walls were removed, and the bands play right next to the bar. Also load-in/out for bands is a breeze. The new owners are really shifting gears for the better.

How was the band? Sounded incredible! Everything was clear, punchy, no matter what we played. It all flowed really well. Had a guest vocalist named Patrice come up for two songs; she’s in the cover band Box Of Piranhas (love that name!) With this band, anything can happen. There’s structure but also looseness. I mentioned Mountain two paragraphs ago. The bouncer wanted to hear “Mississippi Queen” and while I knew the song, it was still “let’s see what happens!” Pulled it off decently for sure.

Oh and seeing women dance to “Cult of Personality”…you had to be there.

Another great show in the books as my fake tour continues next Saturday at Charley’s Tavern.

And did Rubber Duckie Riot add another show for me? Stick around…

Day two of my fake tour continued yesterday afternoon with the first of 15 shows with Supernova.

I could get used to this.

Let me start off by saying The Jefferson House is a GREAT place!! Playing by (or on?) the lake was a thrill, seeing people on their boats and some were jet-skiing…at a rock show? Hey, stranger gigs have happened but the vibes and the weather were so friggin’ amazing…I could get used to this (again).

As people filtered in, I was greeted by friends with “Welcome to the band” and “About time you were part of this.” To be fair, neither the band nor myself ever said I was in. I consider myself “temporarily permanent” but will say that I was greeted very warmly by everyone. Have I finally fit somewhere? I could get used to this (but am being realistic about things too). Though the guys said “You can stick around as long as you want.” So maybe I’m the new guy? Haven’t felt like that in eons. After years of being a bandleader, maybe it’s finally time I took a step back and enjoyed playing music again. Seems to agree with me.

We did three sets, started with the mainstays but then added new tunes to the mix that I picked (!) I finally got to do “Rock You Like A Hurricane” by Scorpions when other bands would turn it down. Why did I want to do that? Because it was the first song I ever learned on guitar from start to finish when I was 14. And playing it live for the first time brought me back to when I sat on the couch in my old house, jamming on a Guild Madiera Strat-copy through a tiny red amp. I felt 10 feet tall that day.

Other newbies were “Panama” by Van Halen, which was a LOT of fun to play, as well as…you guessed it, “Cult Of Personality” by Living Colour. I did that one with Rock Hard three years ago and got to do it again with these guys. Oh it sounded so good!! The whole band were firing on all sixes, and the crowd were dancing and singing and groovin’ to the music…wait, I hear a hit single! Even honored some crowd requests in the form of “Honky Tonk Women” by the Stones, and “Rockin In The Free World” by Neil Young. I enjoyed playing a tuneless solo for that one.

Some asked me why I wore a blue finger cot on my index finger. Well, I wish I could say something cool like I saved someone from a bear attack. But no, I tripped up my steps last Saturday on the concrete. Lame. But only the index finger of my fretting hand was scraped?! I took care of it with liquid bandage, and minimized playing the guitar aside from giving lessons. In the past, I would have freaked out. Now I was like “Shit happens” and I rolled with it. A couple of people asked me “Were you going to cancel?” For a SCRAPE?! Hell no!! I remember a gig that TM Stevens did in the 90s where he sliced his fretting hand finger and still did the show. Unless I stop breathing, the show must go on.

Onto the next gig at Mason Street Grille, Saturday June 13!

I could get used to this…

The start of my fake tour of New Jersey began last night at Sam’s Bar & Grill (Ringwood, NJ) as sub for Rubber Duckie Riot.

Ibuprofen is my friend now.

Upon entering the place, and I’ve been there before, I saw a small space cleared for the band. Bands used to be set up in the other bigger room but I can see why they moved them to be closer to the bar. Despite the smaller space, we made it work.

Once we got set up, plugged in, and levels set, we were off and running! With songs ranging from 60s to early 2000s, the set list was flowing. People were dancing all night, and a young band even got up in between sets to play live for the first time and it was very cool. Their one guitarist used my gear and had his own guitar, even said to me, “Um, I’m not used to playing a loud amp.” I replied, “Welcome to the big time!”

And I must have a face that evokes various questions such as “Weren’t you in an Ozzy tribute band?”, “Didn’t I see you in the early 90s playing Mike’s Tavern?” and “Aren’t you Steve Brown of Trixter?” The answer for all three was no! And some people were convinced that I was playing in cover bands in the 90s, which I never did. But people have fuzzy memories, and while I do at times too, I am fully aware of who I did and didn’t play with.

But all told, I had a blast and it was a great way to start off my pretend tour. One down, 16 more shows to go. Fifteen with Supernova, and another with RDR on Halloween at Mason Jar (7 minutes from my house!)

I need to get back in shape though.

Was I ever in shape?

Another pedal?

Yep.

Years ago, I owned an Ibanez FL9 flanger. I loved that thing, had the best tones, and just to show you how weird I am…I love dialing the speed all the way down and the width way up so when the flange dips, it sounds really sick. Like someone throwing up.

Thank you, Jeff Beck!

I sold that pedal because, well, I needed the money. Since then, I was on a quest for THAT sound. I could have bought another FL9 but wanted to challenge myself. I love the Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress flanger, have no intention on parting with it. I also have a Mooer E-Lady flanger, and it’s cool but that vibe was missing. I also had an Ibanez Paul Gilbert Airplane Flanger, and while that was wild, it was too big!!

I would listen to demos online and think “Nah”, “Maybe”, “Almost” but then I came cross this RockReady BBD model. Hmmm…one guy made a demo, and my dead goldfish could have done better. Some people simply don’t know how to make a demo video. The two other videos made me think “Okay go for it.” Ordered it through Osiamo Music Gear in NY, got the pedal and those FL9 vibes came back!

Ah heaven!

I immediately replaced the EHX with this pedal. Again, not selling that other pedal because I do like it. Good to have backups in case things go haywire.

Plus the pedal is yellow!!!

So why am I always forever chasing sounds? Much like a lot of musicians, I am never satisfied. There are some pedals that I can’t see replacing but when it comes to things like chorus pedals and such, I hear these sounds in my head. Sometimes I can achieve them, other times no. The longest I owned a pedal, not including my original Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal from 1983, is the DigiTech Whammy 5. I’ve had that since 2011! I’ve swapped out other pedals, and when I think I’m settled…another pedal might sneak up on me.

And no you can’t have my HM-2!

With these gigs coming up starting next Friday (!), it’s best that I make sure all the sounds are ready to roll. Gotta change strings on Pinkie and Universe, as I always bring them to gigs. I like creating a spectacle, whether it’s my sneakers, cables, pedals or strings. I’m just a conduit for the music, simple as that. I was never good at jumping around and making those O-faces like Eddie Van Halen. I’d rather play my guitar. Period.

I may shake my hair around a bit though.

No matter how many years I’ve been doing music, that giddy feeling creeps in when I least expect it. You’d think by now I’d be over it, with pretty much a “yeah whatever” vibe.

Nope!

It’s nice to receive airplay in the States of course. It’s cool when other countries grab your song and give it a spin. First time my music received airplay in Australia was when MOOD SWINGS came out almost five years ago (!) Issac Banks over at Banks Radio AU played a couple of tracks from it. I admit that I had to go back into my Facebook memories (not always good) to see what song did the best there. “Force Quit” debuted at #3 then. Life was good! Two years later, the title track from ACT NATURAL debuted at #2.

Will “Digital Stress” hit #1? Who knows!

I am just glad that Issac played the song as he said he would. And still, even though I know it was going to be played, the anticipation was strong. When I saw his posts on various socials, the 18-year-old in me was happy. Hell, I’ve been 18 since 1988! He had the song sandwiched in between other really cool heavy rock/metal/punk acts, so here’s the link if you want to hear the show: Banks Radio 5.8.26

BTW The album is 100% mixed! Mike had been sending me files all week, and as of Wednesday night, the last song was finished. As to be expected, the clarity is amazing, there’s a lot of punch and (ahem) balls to it. Mike’s litmus test is if things sound killer on earbuds or a phone, then it will sound amazing everywhere else. We are definitely very excited about DOWN TO THE METAL, and of course the next step is gathering the cash to master it. Thankfully, I have a ton of gigs coming up so those will supplement everything. And then…pressing copies!

I hope to release the second single next month if the opportunity arises. Not rushing anything, and people have noticed. Toning down my eagerness works wonders. That’s not to say that I’m bursting at the seams! Just more relaxed and pragmatic about everything. The pre-order link will follow soon after the second single is out the door. Slow and steady wins the race.

One more thing (ala Columbo): This Wednesday May 13, tune into The Metal Meltdown to hear DJ Metal Mistress and I crack each other up, play select songs from various bands, including my own stuff! Show is from 7-10pm EST. Unless you have to vacuum your lawn that night, TUNE IN!!!!

Thanks 🙂

The picture above is Mike’s “studio away from studio” if you will. It’s the mixing room in his house so he can save on gas and tolls, and have peace and quiet away from other bands rehearsing in the complex in Jersey City.

Plus he sees his cat more 🙂

Mike has been sending me file after file of songs as they are being mixed. Of course he asks for my input but also asks his friend Jon Hanemann who has a very discerning ear! His suggestions really hit the bulls-eye, no question. Many ears make light work.

I have heard two more songs mixed and re-mixed, and we both agree these tracks sound sharp and have a lot of punch to them. One tune is very much in the mold of Van Halen with touches of Yes in spots (trust me here). Another is just an in-your-face heavy rocker that is steeped in the 80s without sounding too retro.

Pretty much the whole album will touch on a lot of past influences but not stay stuck there. I stopped trying so hard to be this groundbreaking guitarist (I never was) and focused on writing solid material and catchy melodies. If something sounded like VH or Rush, fine. If a melody was Satriani-ish or Steve Howe-like, great. But my thumbprint is all over the songs, as to be expected. Of course, Mike did a hell of a job with the drumming as well as producing, and mixing so far. He’s also working on a couple of other bands’ albums, so he’s busy in a good way.

“Digital Stress” has been played on two stations so far this week, between Cranium Radio with DJJD and Metal Mistress, as well as Metal Devastation Radio with DJ Twitch and DJ April Santos. Responses for the song have been pretty positive, and the video has received good reviews. One station in Europe (I won’t say where) won’t play the song but their loss is two other stations’ gains! Expect the song to be played in North Carolina and Georgia soon. I know that DJ Mark Glazier will play the songs on a slew of stations that he hosts, and Issac Banks will play it soon on his show in Australia. I have reached out to other stations, so hope for the best. If any stations are interested in the song, check it out on my SOOTHING SOUNDS page and then email me!

Is this my best album? I will let you decide when it’s released. I am super proud of it though, if that’s any indication. I feel very vindicated with this album. Mike and I were more relaxed and enjoyed everything from rehearsals to recording. And that’s the way it should be, right?

BTW: My first album was TWISTED METAL, this 10th one is DOWN TO THE METAL.

Full circle?

After almost three years, it’s time to bestow a brand new song on your ears. Yes I’ve done some ambient stuff which was necessary but now it’s…

DOWN TO THE METAL!!!

That will be the name of the new studio album (release date TBA) but for now, you can hear the first single “Digital Stress” by clicking on my Bandcamp page. The song will be available for a limited time. When the full album is released, the single will be removed.

I actually wrote this song two years ago but one riff is from 1992. My brain seems to dig deep for these ideas that had a home or not, and now are utilized way better. When I let Mike hear the rough demo, he said “Let’s get movin’!”

To my ears, the main riff reminds me of Led Zeppelin “Communication Breakdown” and Black Sabbath “Turn Up The Night”. Those who heard the five-second clip told me things like “Sounds like early Metallica”, “Reminds me of early Megadeth”, and “I hear a bit of Pantera there.” I like it all! But ultimately it sounds like me 🙂

I hope you like the song. The video will premier Tuesday April 28 at 9a.m. next week on my YouTube. A pre-order link will be up later in the future, not sure when yet.

Breathe deep…new Bello is always good!!