Concert photos - Rock on the Range - Columbus, Ohio - May 17-19, 2013

Columbus, OH - Rock Music Star photographer/journalist Mike "Suicide" Santoro just spent three "awesome" days covering the "Rock on the Range" festival. Not only did he photograph most of the bands performing, but he also hung out backstage as well.  He said it was an incredible three days, and has some great stories to tell. But while Mike puts his review together, he wanted for now to share some photos that he took with his iphone.  For more photos, click here.

Review - Sebastian Bach - “Abachalypse Now" CD/DVD

Review by John Jeffrey

When I heard that Sebastian Bach was coming out with a new live CD/DVD, I have to admit my interest was piqued considering how much I enjoyed Bach's first live CD, "Bring 'Em Bach Alive," and also how much I was disappointed with the quality of the live performance on his "Forever Wild" DVD. 

For full review, click here.

Interview - Ted Nugent band - Derek St. Holmes

Since his return to the Ted Nugent band in 2011, legendary vocalist/guitarist Derek St. Holmes has been one happy and reinvigorated musician.  St. Holmes was an integral part of Ted Nugent's success, especially on Nugent's 1975, self-titled debut album.   On that ground breaking release, St. Holmes was responsible for singing 8 of the 9 songs, including the classic rock anthems: "Stranglehold," "Stormtroppin'," "Hey Baby", and "Snakeskin Cowboy."

Die-hard fans of Nugent are now thrilled to see the dangerous duo of Nugent/St. Holmes back and rockin' the stage together.  Currently, the Ted Nugent band, which also consists of all-star bassist Greg Smith and former Dokken drummer Mick Brown, are part of classic rock package that features Styx and REO Speedwagon.  After this tour, the band will round out the summer by playing a month plus of headlining shows in late July and August.  In addition, there is also talk of a new Nugent record, the first to include St. Holmes in over 18 years.

What follows is an exclusive Rock Music Star interview with one of the most recognized voices in classic rock, Derek St. Holmes.  During this interview, St. Holmes discusses his return to the Ted Nugent band, his future recording plans and also his past collaborations with Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and Michael Schenker, plus much more.

For full interview, click here.

RMS - "Guitar Wars" - Quarterfinals - Eddie Van Halen vs Yngwie J. Malmsteen

Hey RMS readers, we want to know who you think is the best guitarist in rock music. So, for the next few weeks, before the summer concert season starts, we are going to run a "Guitars Wars" contest.  First up was Ted Nugent vs Billy Gibbons, with Gibbons currently in the lead.  Then we placed Ace Frehley vs. Angus Young. This has turned out to be a very intense battle with both deadlocked at this time. The third contest was Joe Perry vs. Jimmy Page, with Page winning out.

And now for the final battle of the quarterfinals, we have two more guitar legends - Yngwie J. Malmsteen vs. Eddie Van Halen.   Please go to our facebook page to vote.

Concert review - Steve Wilson - Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY - April 21, 2013

Review and photos by Mike "Suicide" Santoro

Buffalo, NY - Steven Wilson isn't exactly a house hold name, he isn't a Grammy winner (although twice nominated) and he has never had a top ten hit…yet to listen to his music you would wonder why. Born and raised in the UK , Wilson has been playing music since he was a young boy. He was heavily influenced by his parents record catalog that included Pink Floyd, Donna Summers and others.  He is most notable as the singer/ songwriter of the band Porcupine Tree which has become increasingly popular even while they currently are on hiatus and have no plans for a follow up album.  If music is math then Prog-Rock is calculus.  Emerson Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, and Tool are all in that genre in some shape or form. Progressive Rock with its roots in Psychedelic Rock would be hard math if it were math at all.  The complexity of sounds, command of instrument,  quality of songwriting and the dismissal of rocks conventional rules are qualities these bands share and with that help define a genre.  Steven Wilson belongs among those ranks, he is a musician and he enjoys his job…and he is exceptional at it.  Dismissing the typical 3 to 4 minute song for longer symphonic type signatures and mid song tuning changes, Steven Wilson and his bandmates create incredible music.

For full review, click here.