Every fan of heavy metal has dreamed about seeing their thrash heroes sharing one stage for a night of pure headbanging decadence. And for a few hundred lucky metal heads this dream came true in early September. What once started as an instrumental clinic has given birth to a full blown live hard rocking music experience. As such, the “Metal Masters” and their sold out return to NYC’s Gramercy Theatre was nothing short of mind blowing and face melting. The LocalBozo crew was in the house for this historic night, furnishing our readers with this exclusive review loaded with killer live photos. But don’t click over there just yet. Since several members of our team are long time diehard metalers, we couldn’t pass up the unique and rare opportunity to interview a handful of the Metal Masters themselves ourselves.

A few hours before the curtain would go up we headed to the backstage area to have a lively chat with metal and hard rock legends Frank Bello (Anthrax), Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big) and Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer) respectively. Our conversation with the guys focused on the formation of the “IV” lineup, which is unique since it now features Sheenan, who has mostly been associated with the straight forward rock and progressive camps. In our fully transcribed interview (below), we also discuss selecting the evening’s set list, the show’s highly in-tuned corporate sponsorship, and so much more. Enjoy, and keeping spreading the good word of metal!

The audio has been transcribed for your reading pleasure below.

LocalBozo.com: LocalBozo.com is at the sold out Gramercy Theatre for “Metal Masters IV!” I am here with Frank Bello, Billy Sheehan, and Gary Holt. Whats up guys?

Metal Masters All: Hey how you doing!

LocalBozo.com:  All of this started started with the Big 4. But what brought about this current grouping for Master Masters 4?

Frank Bello: This actually didn’t start from the Big 4. It actually started from the clinic that I started with Dave Ellefson from Megadeth a few years ago from Sam Ash in Manhattan and it just blew up. It just grew and great players like these guys over here just joined the crew.

Gary Holt: (Jokes) We are the newbies!

FB: Yeah, newbies who got right involved and are as relevant as anything. So, the whole thing right here is the family vibe.

LocalBozo.com: So as far as tonight’s set list, is it pre-determined or is it organically called out on stage?

GH: The set list is pretty much, set. But, is it set in stone, I don’t know? Stranger things have happened, like a spontaneous Rory Gallagher jam.

Billy Sheenan: You never know.

FB: (Jokes) We should break out a Thin Lizzy song.

GH: I think that’s the beauty of it. Because I think no one would mind if someone broke into some other cover song, and join in for four bars. At these things you don’t know what can happen.

BS: At sound check we were doing half a dozen cover songs.

FB: Billy Sheenan does this sick thing on bass, with Charlie Benante on drums and Phil Anselmo as singer. Yeah it’s, “Hot for Teacher” and he’s (Billy Sheenan) doing it on bass.

BS: (Laughing) It’s a comedy routine.

FB: It’s incredible to fucking watch and my theater is right there. Imagine that at a Metal Masters show?

LocalBozo.com: Yeah, grab your beer, take a seat and watch one of the masters do his fucking thing.

FB: It’s respect all around.

BS: It takes one to know one.

GH: It’s super fun playing with these guys. There are going to be lots of smiles. It’s not going to be the usual thrash metal with grim and anger. Everyone is going to be laughing.

FB: It’s a blast and you can’t take it too seriously.

LocalBozo.com: It’s Christmas for Heavy Metal fan’s today.

FB: It really is.

LocalBozo.com: Taking a step back from this show. Thrash Metal is making a major come back from coast to coast. With new bands popping
up all the time. What do you guys think about this?

FB: I don’t think Thrash has ever left. Gary do you agree with that?

GH: How man times has metal or even hard rock been declared, dead? It’s hilarious it always goes in cycles. But metal is always a sleeping giant kicking ass and taking names!

FB: Exactly, and this is a celebration of that to keep the torch passing.

LocalBozo.com: With a show like this fans are going to ask will there be a live recording or video of this super group style performance?

GH: We’re recording it tonight!

LocalBozo.com: What do you want fans that are here tonight to take away from the show?

BS: For me I would like to see barriers broken down between genres. It would be a surprise to most people to know that we all like music that we aren’t popularly associated with. It really varies.

FB: I never lose my thought process with this. It’s a loyal fan base thing and it will always be there, and staying true to the music. I have to say one more thing that we haven’t touched on is for Samson, Hartke, and Zoom to have the balls to be the corporate sponsor. They put the money together to fly all these musicians out here and that’ a big deal. I think to have that kind of balls in this corporate environment is huge. And the fact that ticket prices were kept low at $20 is extremely fan friendly as well.

LocalBozo.com: Metal Masters, fucking Gramercy Theatre! Thank you guys!

- Jay Rubin

The dream of every rock n’ roller is to one day headline a show in New York City, plain and simple. It doesn’t matter if it’s the biggest arena or an intimate venue, for them it is all about exposure in a town that is known for breaking bands. Las Vegas’ own Otherwise have been a hot commodity on the rock circuit for the past few years. And since being signed to Century Media and releasing their debut album- “True Love Never Dies”- the boys from Sin City were primed to take the stage in Manhattan. Recently, the band’s wishes were granted when they headlined a night filled with fellow modern rockers at The Studio at Webster Hall. Our crew was in attendance, so be sure to check out our show review and pictures of Otherwise owning the stage.

As you know the story doesn’t end on the stage, and neither does our coverage. The LocalBozo.com team was thrilled to sit down with Otherwise frontman Adrian Patrick moments before this landmark night for his band. Our candid and frank conversation ran the gamut with topics ranging from playing in New York City and touring, all the way to their relationship with an ever growing fan base and overcoming tragedy. If this is your first time hearing of the guys, now is your chance to check them out before they become one of rock music’s household names. Head over to their website for more information including tour dates and news!

- The LocalBozo.com Crew

So much about what we romanticize about summertime revolves around the nostalgia that goes along with it.  The incredible vacations, the long weekend beach houses, that momentary fling that got away.  For us, it’s reminiscing about our youth, jumping in our cars and cranking up the songs of the hour that played as a soundtrack to our upbringing, with the heat beating down on us through an open sun roof.  With the inaugural Summerland Tour, five bands are turning back the clock more than a decade to the days where part time jobs and who liked who took precedence over 401k contributions and dental benefits, performing some of the most anthemic tunes of our adolescence.

A little more than a week ago, the historic Roseland Ballroom played host to the tour’s local run.  Co-headlined by iconic 90′s bands Everclear and Sugar Ray, the bill was rounded out by Gin Blossoms, Lit, and Marcy Playground.  Even with a cavalcade of new songs to promote, each band made sure to satiate the hungry crowd by ripping out each of their many hits in a four hour show, pasting smiles across the standing room only floor.

With talks of a 90′s tour being discussed and perpetually placed on the back-burner year after year, Everclear’s Art Alexakis and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath tasked themselves with bringing the idea to fruition in 2012 successfully recruiting each of their desired band to shape the bill.  Judging by the success of the initial run, there is supreme confidence that the tour will be back in 2013 with a lineup that is somehow, even better.

LocalBozo.com was fortunate enough to sit down with Everclear frontman Art Alexakis backstage at Roseland before the show.  Listen in as we candidly discuss how the Summerland Tour took shape, the band’s storied history of performing in New York City, Everclear’s latest album “Invisible Stars,” the singer’s strange ability to morph positive melodies out of negative circumstances, and so much more.  And for a full recap of everything you may have missed at Summerland 2012, you can get all of LocalBozo.com’s thorough coverage right here.

- Jane Van Arsdale

The sound of Cape Town South Africa’s Civil Twilight is difficult to put a label upon. Hints of U2 and Radiohead seep from the band’s pours, with a style of melancholy rock that would make Morrissey proud. Based around the riveting vocals of frontman/bass player Steven McKellar, the band’s haunting sound brought them to Williamsburg for a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. Running through select tunes from their 2009 self-titled release as well as their acclaimed latest album, “Holy Weather” released in March, Civil Twilight’s 14 song set shined a spotlight upon the talented band’s proficiencies.

Formed as a three piece outfit by brothers Andrew and Steven McKellar, the band joined with high school classmate Richard Wouters before moving to Los Angeles in the middle of 2005 and recently has added a fourth member- Kevin Dailey on keys- thus far while touring. Although they were in the New York City area as recently as February for a show at Joe’s Pub, the band made another stop back in June to serve the Manhattan fans. Fortunately for us, LocalBozo.com was able to catch three of the four members of Civil Twilight backstage at the Knitting Factory, where we sat down for an exclusive interview. Intertwined with some live performance footage, watch as we discuss the band’s favorite rituals in New York City, building a following in South Africa and here in the United States, where the band’s music is headed, and so much more. For band information and tour dates for Civil Twilight, make sure to check out civiltwilightband.com

- Jane Van Arsdale

As unabashed lovers of all things rock music, Los Angeles glam quartet Steel Panther is right in our wheelhouse. Meshing the flash of 1980′s metal with a modernized aggression and a penchant for dick jokes, the band is one of the most unique touring outfits in rock music’s storied history. And probably, the most fun. From ragging on their very own fans to bringing topless girls on stage from the crowd, the band is a virtual time machine, a throwback if you will, to the early days of the sunset strip- the sex, the drug use, the sleaze- all of it.

No strangers to LocalBozo.com, Steel Panther has been returning to the east coast more and more frequently in 2012, this despite weekly residencies out west. With a return date set in New York City on July 18th and a just announced gig in August at the Starland Ballroom, the band is turning into a bi-coastal behemoth. Last month, LocalBozo.com managed to catch up with the band backstage before their show in front of a packed house at Irving Plaza. Watch our exclusive video interview with Steel Panther bassist Lexxi Foxx and drummer Stix Zadinia. We discuss the band’s pre-show rituals, the success of their latest release, “Balls Out,” and hints about their prospective next album. We’ve got some candid shots from the show and a some extra footage as the two glam icons discuss being in New York City. The band is primed to return in July with one of the most fun and entertaining live shows you’ll ever see, so grab your tickets now, and for more information on all things Steel Panther, check out steelpantherrocks.com.

For a glimpse of what a Steel Panther concert is all about, read our recap from the band’s January show at Irving Plaza or read more about the band’s show on the night of our interview in May by checking out our recap here.

- Jane Van Arsdale

It should be of no surprise to anyone that the minds behind LocalBozo.com have put forth every effort to make this site your one stop shop for everything New York City. At the same time we are tirelessly working to expose you to bands we worth listening to. In the midst of a media explosion from the pages of GQ and Cosmopolitan magazine, the California based trio Early Morning Rebel are working to marry the worlds of music and fashion one catwalk at a time. And during their whirlwind publicity tour, the band stopped into New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall for an intimate acoustic set and invited LocalBozo.com to tag along.

Early Morning Rebel or ‘EMR’ for short, are steadily gaining notoriety literally across all channels. The band’s highly diverse lineup comes from the creative and challenging worlds of film and art, taking these passions and strengths to form a band that has been described as fashion forward, yet haunting. EMR embraces the world of fashion from their choice of dress to their creative independence in directing their music videos. And audiences have been responding positively on both fronts. The band’s first single “Life Boat,” has been featured on the hit series Grey’s Anatomy, a show that steadily produces soundtracks which help new bands get noticed. Following upon the success of the single, the band, formed just eight short months ago, are in town promoting their latest track, “Burn Us Down,” with an accompanying video released only recently.

The LocalBozo.com crew was fortunate to catch up with EMR after a well received performance at the East Village’s Rockwood Music Hall. There, we spoke with vocalist/guitarist Nathan Blumenfeld-James, guitarist Dustin Bath, and drummer Josh Mervin about topics ranging from the band’s history, their songwriting style, and what’s coming up next. Be sure to check out this exclusive video interview and check out Early Morning Rebel when they come through your town in the fall.

- The LocalBozo.com Team

Last week, LocalBozo.com brought you full coverage of Adrenaline Mob’s ‘Omertà’ release party at New York City’s Hiro Ballroom. In a word, the show rocked. The band was extremely tight, playing every song on their debut album plus a few surprises. In a music world filled with disposable imitators, the collective band of incredible musicians- Russell Allen, John Moyer, Mike Orlando, and Mike Portnoy- are out to change the misconceptions of what a supergroup can become.

If you enjoyed our coverage, and concert photos from the show, then you’re in luck. LocalBozo.com was fortunate to chat with the legendary drummer Mike Portnoy and newly added bassist John Moyer (formerly of Disturbed) before the high energy release party. Both gentleman were quite busy before the show with fan meet and greets and their respective families in attendance for this momentous occasion. Portnoy and Moyer spoke candidly to LocalBozo about forming the new band, Adrenaline Mob’s longevity, and their outstanding cover version of Duran Duran’s ‘Come Undone’ featuring Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale. Plus you’ll get to see some of the band’s live performance and the response of the night’s raucous crowd on hand. With a slew of dates yet to be listed and a busy summer on tap, check out adrenalinemob.com for everything you need to know before the band becomes a household name.

- Jay Rubin

Last week, , LocalBozo.com brought you exclusive coverage of the return of Corrosion of Conformity to New York City, which kicked off the start of their latest tour in support of their newly released self-titled 8th album. The album and tour celebrate the return of the vaunted ‘Animosity’ lineup featuring the trio of bassist and vocalist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and the return of drummer Reed Mullin. The hour long set showed that even without frontman Pepper Keenan, COC can still play as fast and as loud as ever, mixing their hardcore sound of old with the same intense, southern style of metal that they helped to make famous.

Prior to the show at Manhattan’s Gramercy Theatre, LocalBozo.com sat down with bass player and founding member of Corrosion of Conformity Mike Dean, for an exclusive backstage interview. Watch as we discuss Mike’s feelings on the band’s return to a three piece outfit, the recording of their self-titled album, why Pepper is not on the record even though he seemed open to a return to the group, and the band’s plans for the rest of 2012. Plus, listen to Mike’s thoughts on how the new album holds up to the rest of the Corrosion catalog.

For more information on Corrosion of Conformity and all of their upcoming tour dates and more, check out COC.com.

- Jane Van Arsdale

Last week, LocalBozo.com took you inside Joe’s Pub for a detailed look at Brit-rock outfit Scars on 45. With a sold out New York City appearance in their rear view mirror and an upcoming tour supporting The Frey on the way, the talented young band of musicians appears destined for bigger and better things to come in 2012. Before taking the stage in Manhattan however, dueling vocalists Aimee Driver and Danny Bemrose joined drummer Chris Durling backstage for an exclusive interview with LocalBozo.com. Watch our interview as we discuss the thrill of taking the stage in New York City, the band’s musical influences, and just what we can expect from Scars on 45’s first full length release, coming this spring. We’ve also infused some of the band’s fantastic live performance footage from the show to give you just a small taste of the virtues of a band on the rise. Make sure to give them a listen on iTunes and for tour dates and information on everything Scars on 45, check out scarson45.com.

- Jane Van Arsdale

Last week in preparation for Christmas, LocalBozo.com brought you coverage of glam rock icons Twisted Sister’s incredible live holiday performance from Manhattan’s Best Buy Theater. Weaving in timeless holiday standards with their signature Twisted tunes, the evening dubbed “A Twisted Christmas” was a perfect marriage of 80′s rock nostalgia and sprited seasonal cheer. Just before the band took centerstage in front of a packed New York City audience of all ages, Twisted Sister Bassist Mark Mendoza took some time to sit down with LocalBozo.com for an enthusiastic interview about where the band has been and where they’re going next.

Watch our exclusive interview above as Mark discusses why the band put out a Christmas album, what fans can expect from a Twisted Sister live show, thoughts on being a true New Yorker, and how the cover band “Bent Brother” came to fruition. With just days left in 2011, join LocalBozo.com in hanging onto what’s left of Christmas, Twisted Sister style.

For more information on Twisted Sister and to pick up the band’s 2006 release “A Twisted Christmas,” check out twistedsister.com.

- Jane Van Arsdale