Red

The self defined, modern rock band that favors the heavy stuff, RED, heads out on tour in support of their second major label record, “Innocence & Instinct.” This quintet has made their presence known by harnessing the heavy elements of their rock and metal roots while allowing organic elements to make appearances in their music. The use of keyboards and various orchestral instruments are commonly heard throughout their music. It is in the guitar progressions that the true elements of heaviness come out and their influences, ranging from Mozart to the Deftones, start to really surface. As Jasen Rauch (guitar) explains, the new album is congruent with their previous material, but the sound is maturing.

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Riders in the Sky

Since 1977 the American Western band Riders in the Sky has entertained fans of all ages by continuing a style made famous by Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and others. The lineup includes Douglas B. Green, Paul Chrisman, Fred LaBour and Joey Miskulin. Together they have made countless television appearances over the last thirty years and appeared at The Grand Ole Opry 700 times. Their work was featured in “Toy Story 2” as well as Pixar’s short “For the Birds.” Their tireless efforts to keep Western music alive have gained them much praise. Billboard’s Jim Bessman has called them one of the most historically significant acts in the history of American music, while The Board of Directors of the organization National Day of the Cowboy has named them one of eight recipients of it’s 2011 Cowboy Keeper Award. The band’s newest album The Land Beyond The Sun showcases their talent for inspirational music.

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Marc Rizzo

Marc Rizzo is a guitarist for both Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy (formed by Sepultura co-founders Igor and Max Cavalera). His solo work demonstrates a wider range of styles than the metal he is best known for including classical, flamenco, and jazz. His new solo album, “Legionaire” was recorded over a two year period while touring with both bands.

Maximum Ink: Your playing style varies widely. What are some of your main influences in those various genres?
Marc Rizzo: I like any style of music that has virtuoso guitar playing. That can be jazz, flamenco, death metal… whatever. I just love the guitar and like to hear music played on the guitar in all styles. I really listen to a lot of instrumental guitar music. My favorites are Paco de Lucia, Al Dimeola, Slayer, Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, Van Halen. I could go on and on.

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Rogue Wave

Recovering from damaged nerves that made playing painfully impossible, guitarist/song-writer ZACH ROGUE’s ROGUE WAVE returned earlier this year with a brilliant, upbeat CD, “Permalight.” Catching Zach as the band embarked on a tour that takes them to Madison’s High Noon Saloon April 16th, he was kind enough to answer a few questions via email.

MAXIMUM INK: How did the idea of “Permalight,” come about?
ZACH ROGUE: It was the first song I wrote after I started writing music again in 2009. I was in an amazingly great mood and I felt like writing a sequel to Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” and that is what came to mind. I wasn’t really concerned so much with a chord progression per se. I was really just interested in the rhythm and having my hand move up and down the guitar neck so the song would have a loose groove.

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Rookie Of The Year

This past August, Rookie of the Year, from Fayetteville, North Carolina released their second full length album titled ‘Sweet Attention.’ The album reached the U.S. Billboard Heatseekers #21 and #9 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist chart in it’s first week. With over 30,000 album sales, Rookie of the Year has made a name for themselves and created a strong following of fans.

Mike Kamerman, lead guitarist for Rookie of the Year, talked about his excited for the album. “We spent a lot of time working on this album and put a lot of emotion into it, and we know you will be able to hear that when you listen to it.”

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