The Arrival of Lee Moretti

At age twelve Lee Moretti of Providence, Rhode Island started rockin’ on the guitar. After a few years and some professional seasoning she found herself not only playing guitar in the high school jazz band but also playing the bass. Her high level of natural ability and love of music carried her to Berklee College of Music where she became a dual major in Guitar Performance and Music Business. Although her declared primary instrument was guitar, she developed a strong love and became quite attached to the bass.

As she says, she has a very rhythmic approach to music so playing bass was a natural. The role change from guitar to bass is what makes the bass so attractive to her, “Switching from guitar to bass is like putting on a different mind”. Where as guitar plays a melodic role the bass’s closest companions are the drums and the groove. Lee has a pretty real approach to the bass; playing what she would want to hear from the low-end as a melodic instrument, “My immediate instinct is to make the pocket happen…after that I aim for something more melodic.”

Though Lee was born exponentially more gifted than most people, dipping her fingers in everything from poetry to music, but she still had to iron out her weak spots. While at Berklee she coerced the bass department chairman to let her into some bass performance classes. One of those was Oscar Stagnaro’s “Latin Bass Lab” that’s what really got her reading and pocket in check. Musically speaking, she is very in tune with her roots so when it comes to improvising, Lee thinks of lines linearly and with less arpeggiating than most bassists. It’s evident in her playing that she thinks in melodic phrases and it gives her a very old-school and bluesy sound.

You may have seen Lee on MTV touring with Third Eye Blind as their multi-instrumentalist/live sampler, but if you live in the Boston area you can also she her live with her bands, The “Lee Moretti” Band, The Lowsy Instruments, or her up and coming all female band “The Furies”. Her musical aspirations right now are taking off as she mobilizes the Furies. She calls this band a “fever-fem” band, as they heavily reference bands such as The Dead Weather, Led Zeppelin and even Jeff Buckley! The lovely ladies in her group are also students of Berklee College of Music and Frost School of Music at University of Miami. This band will have their first live performance and CD release show at Boston’s Hard Rock Cafe on April 9th, where they are sure to be a hit.

Lee is going place fast, so be sure to keep an eye out for her in one of her bands in a town near you soon!

Exciter

Exciter are a Canadian speed metal band from Ottawa, Ontario. They are widely considered to be one of the first speed metal bands and a seminal influence of the thrash metal genre. Exciter hast sold nearly 2,3 units in the USA and a total sells at 10 million units worldwide. Despite many changes in personnel, the band have managed to keep a small but dedicated following for more than 25 years.

"Heavy Metal Maniac" is considered a classic album by most metal enthusiasts. It had to be one of the very first thrash metal albums to come out, with only Raven beating them to the punch. Still, at the time Exciter were contenders with Metallica and Anthrax for thrash metal superiority, and this disc shows why. It had the speed, aggression and attitude. The recording was rough, sounding like a demo that was probably recorded live in someone's basement, but that only adds to the overall appeal. Not unlike many of those early, underground bands, it wasn't about stellar production, it was about plugging in, turning up and cranking out the metal! That is exactly what Exciter delivers. OK, a few songs have those cliché "evil" type heavy metal lyrics. However, this was pretty typical of the early 80's metal and thrash movement. "World War III" and the title track are classic tracks from this album.

"World War III" a bonus track on this particular pressing of Heavy Metal Maniac? The song was originally released in 1982 on the band's first demo tape of the same name, then later appeared on the second US Metal compilation on Shrapnel Records. Other CD reissues also included "Evil Sinner" from that demo.

The Hot Band...NeverWonder.

Today I would like to take the Time to say Welcome To An awesome Band.....NeverWonder.....

VR: Thank you for the very nice comment! Always nice to be called a awesome band...
AR: Thank you!


Shaz: Firstly Could you Please Introduce Yourself....

Vincent Ramos...  Hello Hello bassist here...
Andres Ramos.... Everyone Calls me Dre Drums/Percussion


Shaz: What is your Musical background...

VR: Been playing for a long time, I took 4 lesson when I was  kid, but mostly I have learn from ear and the players I have played with..

AR: Self Taught marching band and some lessons


Shaz: Your tunes are so Inspiring please tell us what triggers a song?

VR: Well there are alot of ways it happens, Just a idea at rehearsal, A drum beat, or someone brings a small idea in and we all work on it...

AR: Lyrics are written by Megan , music wise we all contribute to the songs so many different things Guitar Riff, Drum Beat, and a Melody Bass Riff...


Shaz: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

VR: Well that is the fun part of us, is to play out live... Places are Whisky, Roxy, Key Club, Viper room, Rock & Roll Marathon's all over like LA, San Diego, San Jose, Las Vegas.... All places are great to play because we love to play out and we hope all the people who see us like what we do...

AR:We have pretty much played all the clubs in So cal Viper Room Key Club, Galaxy, Coach House but we have done some venues In the Bay area, San Jose, Las Vegas, San Diego


Shaz: What genre of music do you consider your work to be and who are your major influences?

VR: The music is a Rock, Pop, Soul genre..
As for influences they are everything to everybody for me, any type of music is good for me as long as it is played with heart and feel, that's what make me listen to it
all kinds of artist.

AR:Rock ,Pop ,Funk, groove


Shaz: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music ?

VR: It has changed alot from when I first started out, I was into heavy stuff only as I grew up you can say I was able to really focus on great songwriting and great player no matter what the style it was from Rock, to Pop to Hip Hop, to Old school music, to even Elvis...


AR: Well I think its just a lot more simple not whole bunch of over playing



Shaz: What has been your biggest challenge as an Artist?

VR: My biggest challenge is I would like to practice more and learn more from all kinds of artist... But as a indy artist we are always trying to play shows, doing PR, Rehearsals and our day jobs there is only so much time in a day...


Shaz: Are you a member of any music organizations?

VR: ASCAP now... but I was in the music union for a while... It was Ok great people but for indy music they did not have much work...

AR: ASCAP

Shaz: Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.)

VR: That would be me Vincent Ramos, but all members bring things in to move on...

AR: We all do little but Vincent does most of the bookings and we have Doug Deustch as a publicist


Shaz: What are your long-term career goals?

VR: Simple to make music our main income and to always love music like we do today... So write the new CD, PR it, Play everywhere, Radio play, tour and do it all over again...

AR: Grammy award winning albums/ Videos, Successful world Tours, but it would just be nice to make a living from music and have longevity in the music business

Shaz: Do you have Any Major tour Plans?

VR: We are hoping to start some in 2011, but for now it will be small tours, on the west coast...

AR: Working on them now..

Shaz: Do you have Any endorsements? If So What companies?

VR: Our Guitar player Scott is set up by Carvin....
AR: Seeking Some at this time, some are almost here...


Shaz:If you could play music in front of a large audience where would that be?

VR: LA is it is our home town, but NY would be great then anywhere in Europe...

AR: Rose Bowl, Staples, Madison Square Garden


Shaz: What type of media exposure have you  received?

VR: The media has been great to us, they have really enjoyed the CD from all over the USA to all over the world... but the best has been for Jambonine.com, but if you want to read all the others go to our website for all the articles...


Shaz: If  you could tour with another band who would that be and why?

VR: Right now I would say something like Prince, Lenny Karvitz to a rock band like Audio Slave to U2.... Why? I love these bands and I think there fans would like our type of music...

AR: No Doubt or even Kings of Leon, Two very Successful groups


Shaz: How Big a part has The Internet Played In promoting you  and Getting your music Out there?

VR: The internet has changed everything, IT has made the world smaller in terms of music for indy bands, we get hits from everywhere checking out the band and buy stuff. So yes it has really help spread the word.

AR: The Internet is amazing it has allowed us to reach places that a band at our level could have never reached 10 to 15 years back


Shaz: Is there anything you would Like to add guys  for your fans......

VR: For me just a simple thank you for always supporting NEVERWONDER and check us out at www.neverwonder.com and www.myspace.com/neverwonder

AR: Thank you for buying the album and thanks for the support, please turn all your friends on to NEVERWONDER



Thank you so much guys for this Chance to get to Know you  and for taking the Time Out to do this with us.....

VR: No, thank you for helping us and all Indy artist!

AR: Thanks for having us


We Wish you success In all you do and Hope to See you On Tour soon....

AR: Thank you
VR: Thanks for the interview and we will be back to update you and your readers on what is going on with NEVERWONDER!

Gary O Kane.

 2005-Present day:

Ammunition rehearsing, writing songs, making demos. But no gigs. Sadly, the members could never agree on a strategy to get the show on the road. So now the band is once again on hold, and Gary is back as a solo artist again.
At present Gary is quite busy, writing songs for such different artists as Ged Roberts and Lars Kristoffersen, and for the great metal band Mecalimb.
In 2008 he signed with Helping Hand Records and finally released his 2002 album on the Internet.

Gary is also releasing his brand new album "Forever Dreams" out soon as possible, he has had some delays, these things happen! ..this album will have the biggest budget and production to date! STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES!!!.
Shaz: Today I would like to take the Time to say Welcome To An awesome Artist...Gary O Kane....

Shaz: Firstly Could you Please Introduce Yourself....

First of all I wanna thank you, Shaz, for your kindness and interest in my music! Thank you! (-:

Well, my name is Gary O. Kane, and Im a singer/songwriter from Norway, basically just trying to get my music heard, thats all, hehehe!

Shaz: What is your Musical background...

I started out playing drums in the school marching band at the age of 7 or 8. I was actually quite talented, and at the age of 13 I joined my first rockband with some older guys. I played drums until I was around 20 or something. By then I had been writing songs for a few years, and I really wanted to sing them myself. So I became a singer and formed my first own band, called Kane. Since then I have been singing and writing songs. Thats basically the only thing Im any good at, hehe! I also went to a music school, at "college age" (different school systems here in Norway), but it was kind of a religious school and the main focus was classical music and God, so it didnt do anything for me. I dropped out. And to make a long story short, Ive been playing in a million unknown bands, and for the last 17 years Ive been making a living from playing covers on request in pubs and bars. Just me and my acistic guitar.

Shaz: Your tunes are so Inspiring please tell us what triggers a song?

Thanks for the compliment! I cant explain how the melodies are made, cause theyre just "there" all of sudden. Sometimes it pops up in my head, sometimes Im just jamming on my guitar or goofing around in the studio. I always make the music and melody first, and then I go through the great pain and agony of writing the lyrics! I hate writing lyrics! Shaz: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Ive played many, many places in Norway. And some gigs in Sweden once in a while. I dont really have a favourite venue or a venue I dislike. To me it all comes down to how the audience and I get along! Doesnt matter if its a crappy venue if the gig is good! And it doesnt help if the venue is fantastic if I cant get the crowd going, right? Yes, I have quite a few shows coming up for this Fall. But they are all in Norway and all just me and the guitar, unfortunately...

Shaz: What genre of music do you consider your work to be and who are your major influences?

I just call it "rock"! Its very basic, melodic and traditional stuff. I leave to others to change the world, hehehe!

When I was younger I went through the whole "80s hardrock"-thing, of course! So that will always be in there somewhere. As I grew older I started listening to all sorts of music, and now I think a good song is a good song, regardless if its rock, pop or polka! I dont really have any particular influences. But Im sucker for good chorus lines, and I like riffing guitars and punchy drums. And as for singers, Mr. David Coverdale has always been a bright star in my sky!

Shaz: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music ?

It hasnt! Hahahaha!!! (-:

Really, the basic line is still the same; melodic and rocking. But of course, with experience the songs I write now are a little bit more "together" than the first songs I wrote when I was fourteen.

Shaz: What has been your biggest challenge as an Artist?

I guess the same as for most musicians: Getting heard!

Shaz: Are you a member of any music organizations?

Yes...hmm...yes! Im in a organization called TONO. Its basically taking care of my rights to my music and make sure I get paid for radio play and things like that. But in this area Im a total idiot, hahaha! So I will recommend you ask my record company about those matters! If I was smart I would be in a thousand organizations, so that I would get paid for every little thing! Some "musicians" seem to be more focused on those things than the music(!!!) I care very little about money and that stuff!

Shaz: Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.)
[Image]Rainbow Booking & Management and Helping Hand Records.

Shaz: What are your long-term career goals?

Make my songs heard, so that they will "get a life".

Shaz: If you could play music in front of a large audience where would that be?

Really doesnt matter, as long as the crowd is happy! (-:

Shaz: What type of media exposure have you received?

None.
Had some things going in the nineties, like tv and music magazines, but nothing recently.

Shaz: If you could tour with another band who would that be and why?

Here in Norway I would love to go with a band called Stage Dolls! They are the best norwegian rock band! As for inernational bands...hmm...would have to be someone quite similar to me of course, so I dont scare the crowd away... I dont know...Bryan Adams???

Shaz: How Big a part has The Internet Played In promoting you and Getting your music Out there?

For me it has meant pretty much everything! I can present my songs directly to people, without a lot of business people in the way! Thats awesome!!! (-:

Shaz: Is there anything you would Like to add Gary for your fans......

Thank you sooo much to all of you have bought my songs and sent compliments me etc!!! Im truly grateful for your kindness and support, and I would LOVE to come and play for each and every one of you!!! All my best wishes to you all!

---Thank you Shaz! (-:
Hugs, Gary

Thank you so much GARY for this Chance to get to Know you and for taking the Time Out to do this with us.....

We Wish you success In all you do and Hope to See you On Tour soon....

Hugs Shaz xo