Stephen Kern is a multi-instrumentalist. He’s a drummer, guitarist and also plays the hammered dulcimer. He brings to the table a very unique way of playing guitar, his picking hand is normal and every note is with his thumb!
Metallica (like many), was the first big influence of his in early High School. In senior year, he came across the power metal band Blind Guardian. The first song he heard of theirs was ‘Time Stands Still’. Hearing the Celtic elements, along with the melodies and big choruses, it all clicked immediately! They became Stephen’s favorite group after many hours spent listening through their albums. Iced Earth was another band he discovered in senior year that also got his pulse racing. The inspiration was there, getting it all together came next.
Fast forward to now and Stephen wouldn’t ever had guessed he’d be friends with two former Iced Earth members (Tommy Lee Thompson and John Greely)! Stephen keeps humble and always looks forward to what’s ahead. You’ll find him writing with his rare Richelieu Guitar in hand and kicking up the drums in person with his band. He’s honored to be with the Sliptrick family!
Stephen Kern is: Tommy Lee Thompson – Lead Guitar | Preston Cannone – Rhythm Guitar | Jacy Henry – Bass Guitar | Stephen Kern – Drums
With the release of their newest single "Limitless" we decided to reconnect with the band to see what they've been up to since their last time being featured here.
-Our tunings are drop B and drop D
- the bands we've played with include sorry no sympathy ,the band repent, genocide method, hemlock, Powerman 5000 animal in me, artificial aliens Emperors and elephants, motograter and the list goes on and on
- accomplishments to us is the fact that we do everything ourself not only that but we got ourself on radio stations and have gotten our foot in the door with the music world pretty well to be known pretty much in about 16 different countries from what we understand there isn't a place you can not go and look up from Ash to Stone thats an accomplishment to us
- let's see goals for us as musicians is just to keep progressing as a group and individuals but as a band just to keep putting a smile on people's faces and get some headbanging going selling merch traveling the world and just keep writing music doing what we love to do and keep them bodies moving and the blood flowing
- we've had a lot of good times in the last couple years as from Ash to Stone but I think one of our most memorable moments was on our way to play with Powerman 5000 and all of a sudden we smell smoke and when we look behind us, our equipment was starting to catch fire so we slammed on the brakes in the middle of the highway jumped out of the truck started tossing stuff out and luckily nothing got destroyed just got a little bit of melting damage on the kick drum but the carpet the drum set was to sit on was smoldering we had to get rid of it lol
- the influence in this song really just comes from it's our second single since we reformed about 6 months ago where our old drummer Derek moved up to guitar and we got a new vocalist and another new Drummer and we couldn't be happier with the way things are going we wanted to put this one out just cuz it's real upbeat and fastpaste and just makes you want to head bang you know an all around good song.
- being a band in Casper Wyoming.... it's okay there's some really cool awesome and talented people and musicians here but it's not really the place you're going to make it big so we put most of our Focus into traveling and social media and music stores and platforms on the internet basically but of course with the whole pandemic thing going on traveling has become almost non-existent same as shows so we are just focusing on writing the new music for you all and getting it out there for you and enjoy we love ya all and appreciate the support and like to see comments and feedback and hope everyone is doing well out there but also looking forward to this whole thing blown over and getting back on the road to melt your faces🤘🤘🤘
Let's get started with the review.. the newest release.. "LIMITLESS"
https://youtu.be/Z0X6DN1pE4A
Production on this video is really good..
This song kicks complete ass..
Love Cody's vocals, the approach, the growls, yells, etc.. they're always on point and YES he sounds like that live..
Some serious riffing going on here..
Drums are always on point with Josh..
The Wyoming wind really helped make this a kewl video..
The acoustic guitar parts on this are really good, they build up well to some nice chugging parts..
One of my favorite songs from them..
Definitely some quality pick attack..
Bottom line:
This band knows what they want and how to get it.. Experienced in the music scene and well established here in Wyoming. I'm proud to call them my friends.
For all things FROM ASH TO STONE please follow them here:
Caging Elliott is a 5 piece Hard Rock/Alternative band. The list of influences run the gamut from Skid Row to Pantera to Alice in Chains. Rusty Jackson has been singing whole life. He has been with the band for 2 years now but has been in bands since he was in high school. Joe Stephens has been playing bass since he was 13. Along the way he picked up a guitar as well. He played bass for the first year the switched to guitar. Mick Hollywood comes from a musical family and has been playing drums since he was young. David Boyanton is new to the band but not to music. He has been playing since he was 12 and has been in several projects. Last but not least is our bassist Jay Lee. He is a veteran musician and the low end is where he rules supreme.
Caging Elliott has had the honor to share the stage with many talented bands including Silent Ire, Saving Able, Bobaflex, Affliction of the Absent, Seeking Seven and 5 Stories.
We have played multiple venues in West Tennessee and have participated in several fundraisers including ones for the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and The Memphis Crisis Center.
We took a few months off to regroup, write and record but June 2020 we will be out rocking the house down!
1. Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you.
Hello Everyone, my name is Peter Schrott, and we are Continoom from Budapest, Hungary. Our music genre is basically metal, but we're using many elements from other popular genres. Like dubstep, DnB, funky etc. We are kind of a modern electro-metal band.
2. What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like?
Fusion metal means a WOW beneath of metal sound. :D Cool metal riffs with melodic vocals, and with backing vocals spiced with some electro. We are not music genre creators, we're just a particular, innovative metal band.
3. With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?
I think it is not our decision, it depends on the audience. If they buy CDs, then we make CDs. However, “sadly” it doesn't appear to be the future. Streaming technology is good stuff, it’s fast and provides practically a global coverage. You can access it anywhere and anytime as a listener, and - as an artist - you can spread your music faster than in the old times. I prefer to go with the trends.
4. What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off?
I'm a little exhibitionist, as every musician is, I think. :D Since I first met music I've been in love with it. When I'm on the stage, I'm in a kind of delirium. So I can say, yes, it really worth it. However, in a financial way, it is a deeeeeeep deeeeep hole to throw money in, and it may never pay off. But hope dies last. ;)
5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair?
If a woman feels the metal in her sole, then she shall let it out. However, I’d never think about it as special. Nowadays it comes more and more usual, and I personally like women being on the stage and playing metal. Do they have special attention? I'm not sure. From me, it is usual attention… :D
6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all-time high and metal being “ angry” music Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred?
No. Maybe sometimes. But I’ve always tried to be a "world-peace-guy". Continoom’s lyrics are about the EGO and self-encouragement. Love yourself to be able to love others, be yourself, do not follow someone else dreams, etc.... These words may sound trite, but these are facts.
7. Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music?
Of course, not, music is for everybody. However, lyrics are specific things, and they can be rude, or biased. When I don't like one, then I don’t listen to that song anymore, but many others may identify with it. I don't judge anyone for thinking differently.
8. We have dive into some pretty deep issues here do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?
I have already answered this a little upper above… :D
9. The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in today's scene?
I think today it's easier to be successful without a record label than it used to be 20 years ago. A record label companies have resources and competencies that the bands just do not have. Contacts, inner networks, reputation, and so on. Anyone can tread the way, but it is very difficult, and it takes forever...
10. Why with the thousands of options including Netflix , sporting events everything on-demand Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music?
Because Continoom is the band that they will like! :D We do not have the recipe for the perfect music, 'cause it doesn’t exist.
Just listen to us, we are cool, and it comes from the heart.
11. How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?
Only in one case: when the investment equals the promotional value. So you can play to your potential audience, your future fans. When you pay to play, usually you can also sell your merch, so you may come out from this gig well.
12. It is a fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explains what you think is the most important key to success?
Nowadays talent is not enough. You have to promote yourself, reach out to your audience on most of the platforms. You have to perform professionally at contents, and be good at targeting as well. The music market is way too big, and there are usually a lot of similar bands like yours.
13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?
No. We produce our music. However, I do not say that I wouldn’t accept advice from music professionals or from other talents I respect. Of course, I would do so. If I felt that they could add to our music, then it would worth it.
14. If you are pro-female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music?
I'm not a female, but I use sex to sell our music… or at least stripping :D Check out our music video, and you will get it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE_cO-fSqqc
15. What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll?
We have very limited knowledge - and no first-hand experiences 😉 - about such issues. With Coontinoom we have always believed in the power of positive messages even if it comes to a tough topic. Wildness is the essence of all genres of rock and roll, and we are no exception: we love to shout into the world whatever is on our hearts. However, we like to do it with some optimism and positivity, since you need to heal after the pain. This positivity is part of the foundation of the band
16. Ok, let's lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?
Helloween. :D I don't know especially why, but I like them very much.
17. What would you be doing if you were not in a band?
I would be a Pub owner... Oops, I am… :D Trabant Presszó - Pub and Coffee Budapest. (They are also one of Continoom's sponsors.)
18. Do you have a favorite sports team?
No… :S
19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
I wish I could sing a duet with Steven Taylor.
20. This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz
I have no complaints. I accept what it gives me, and I’m playing by its rules. The way is long and hard, but I’ve begun to walk on it, so I want to reach my destination.
1.What is your name and what band do you play for?
Steve Baughman, Killing the Silence
2.Who made you want to play drums and why?
Countless bands and drummers come to mind as early influencers to me spanning from classic rock to 90s rock, but the top three are: (1) Mike Portnoy for technical fluency, mastery of double bass, groove and rhythm, unpredictability, interesting ever-changing beats within songs, and evolution and variety of drums and cymbals, (2) Neil Peart for his wide variety of technical virtuosity, massive drumset and use of interesting percussive sounds and patterns, and (3) Tre Cool because of his speed, blending cymbal hits with his rhythm, and insane fills!
3.When did you get your first kit? Tell us about it…
My first kit was a deep burgundy, 5-piece Eclipse wood kit that evolved with an experimental variety of Zildjan, Paiste, and Camber cymbals. A double-chained, double bass pedal was eventually added until the left foot chain broke after only two years, so I later had to reacquire and build on those skills. I was 13 when I got it and 26 when I sold it.
4.Where your parents supportive of you and your loud / expensive new habit?
Yes, my mom allotted me a section of the oversized basement and took me to music stores and lessons often. And whatever my mom approved, my stepdad wisely did not question!
5.What drum performance on an album is perfection to you?
Dream Theater's Scenes from a Memory
6.Tell us about your current kit and set up in DETAIL.
Seven-shell, black Yamaha Stage Custom Birchwood set: 8/10/12" aerial toms, 16/18" floor toms, 14" snare, and 22" bass drum.
Ten Sabian cymbals and 2 hi-hats: 14/16/18" HHX dark crashes, 16" AAX bright crash, 14" and 19" AAX Chinese, 20" HHX ride, 21" HHX groove ride, 10" HHX splash, 10" AAX ozone splash), 13" AAX hi-hat, and 14" HHX hi-hat.
*Why two hi-hats and two rides? I love diversity. The 14" HHX hat provides a darker, heavier sound and is my main hi-hat, but if I use in tandem with the 13" AAX hat that provides a brighter and lighter sound, I can easily accent on-beat or off-beat notes. The 13" also stays closed so I can play double bass with it. For diversity of ride cymbals I have a brighter, thinner 20" ride cymbal as my main ride. The 21" Groove ride is thicker, darker, and has increased overtone for heavier parts and a larger bell that cuts really well.
7.If you could have a dream kit tell us about it in DETAIL
I pretty much have all that I currently want in a dream kit, but if I played full time, had a drum technician and an endorsement with endless supplies, I'd definitely experiment, especially with effect sounds, and evolve my kit accordingly. For example, I might experiment with use of other splashes or adding something like a Sabian medium Max Stax for a short, cutting effect sound because I sometimes use my splashes to accent double 16th notes, and with vocal or guitar sound waves it can be hard to hear the cut between both so they don't sound like one oddly place 8th note instead.
8.Name your top 5 drummers excluding Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy
Lol...those honestly would've been my top two, but several others have influenced me greatly, so I mostly credit the following:
Tre Cool from Greenday and Travis Barker from Blink 182 were early influencers to me for upper body speed, fills, and cymbal usage, and have a lot of contribution to my style. Shaun Foist from Breaking Benjamin has unpredictable but interesting grooves, and I enjoy well-placed accents on different cymbal bells. Some double bass groove and fill influencers to me are Chrstiano Mozzati from Lacuna Coil and Nick Augusto from Trivium.
9. Do you prefer Live or Studio?
It depends, but definitely live for fun and unrecorded events since it's fun to share our music, meet new people, and hear other bands! If we're talking sound and recording, of course, I'd prefer the studio.
10. Do drummers really get all the chicks and if so how do we convince the guitarist?
Nah! The nice drummers allow the guitarist one every once in a while, especially if he helps transport, set up, and tear down the drums.
This band started as a solo project by Chadwick Wilcox, former lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and songwriter of Seeking Focus. He also plays other instruments. Other musicians joined the band, such as Brittany (Vocals), Steve (Drums), Joel (Guitars/Vocals) and Chris (Bass). We can hear that this band has many influences, such as Mike Mushok, Dan Donegan, Jerry Cantrell, Tony Rombola, and many others, to name a few.
We can expect throughout 2020 – 2021, their debut album called “Awaken”. They’re currently adding vocals, revising the drum parts, and finalizing the tracks.
In August, more precisely on the 6th August, they released a single, with the same name as the album. Let’s talk about it, shall we?
Brittany has a powerful voice, that can growl and sing in a beautiful, melodic way. This girl is full of surprises. I guarantee that you will like it.
The guitars riffs are sick and well structured.
Joel’s voice fits very well with Brittany’s. And what better team to help the band to develop a music video, than Brando Jones Films. It’s a clear win and they truly captured its essence.
This is a must-have album and, by the end of the year, they will announce a release schedule, meaning that they will tell the fans when the album will be out in stores.
For people who like Lacuna Coil, On Thorns I Lay, Trivium, and more. Go send some support and love.
If you want to know more about this band (you should do), follow their social media:
