Artist Profile

Having role models is important. Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey of the L.A. Metal band Butcher Babies looked to Iron Maiden, Slayer, Slipknot and Pantera for inspiration. But standing above the rest was Wendy O. Williams, the frontwoman of the Plasmatics. “Wendy O. Williams was the first female in Heavy Metal,” explained co-vocalist Heidi Shepherd….

It took a life-altering event to prod Benji Madden and his identical twin brother Joel down the Rock road – a Beastie Boys’ concert. The “hey, we can do that” mentality ruled as the Waldorf, MD natives, who’d relocated to Annapolis, developed their chops. Benji picked up the guitar and wrote songs while Joel worked…

When the term “Heavy Metal” was coined in the late-60s it was used to describe loud, earth-shaking guitar-oriented Rock. Paranoid Album Cover Black Sabbath may not have entirely embraced the term (lifted from the William Burroughs novel “Soft Machine”) and all its loutish connotations, but their ominous songs that dwelled on the sinister, occult and…

When you get kicked out of a group called Snakepit Banana Farm you might want to reconsider your career options. And what could be going through your mind when you start a ’60s covers band called Trash? You might also have second thoughts about the music business when the guy who got you signed to…

Def Leppard played their first gig in ’78 and were recording the following year. While doing passably well in their native U.K., they didn’t have much impact elsewhere and found themselves stuck in the “opening act” slot. Enter Robert John “Mutt” Lange who had built a reputation as a highly successful producer. His main function…

Eric Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times… as a member of the Yardbirds, Cream, and as a solo performer.  He is the only three-time inductee. Eric Clapton Clapton’s guitar work was also a focal point in John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers (where he acquired the nickname “Slowhand”…

San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind got going in fits and starts. The original incarnation fractured leaving only guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Stephen Jenkins and bassist/vocalist Arion Salazar. The group was able to land drummer Brad Hargreaves in ’95. Barely surviving the local club scene, Third Eye Blind did manage to get a slot opening for Oasis when they…