Jakey Lou Williams was born and raised in West Virginia, USA. His Japanese born mother and his US Naval officer father were constantly on the move. Eventually settling in San Diego, the Williams family put their roots down. Jake and his sister took to the California culture and lifestyle as if born into it. Jake’s mother, recognizing that her son had tremendous musical talent, encouraged Jake to learn classical piano at an early age. However, his sister was instrumental in showing Jake that a world beyond classical music existed. She played Jake her favorite hard rock artists like Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Soon Jake had switched to guitar as his instrument of choice and started on his road to becoming the legend that he is now. Unfortunately, his mentor and sister passed away in a motorcycle accident. But her influence was already established in her kid brother Jake.

During high school, he formed a band called Teaser changing his name to Jake E Lee. The band developed a large following in the Southern California area. Jake caught the eye of guitarist and good friend Warren DiMartini, and soon DiMartini was asking Jake for lessons. He also caught the eye of Stephen Pearcy the lead singer of a San Diego band called Mickey Rat. Pearcy asked Jake to join his band as lead guitarist, and he accepted. They changed the band’s name to Ratt, moved to L.A. and began playing the L.A. club circuit. The band’s established a huge fan base and much acclaim followed. However, Jake decided that Ratt didn’t fit the style of the music he wanted to play and decided to leave the group. DiMartini replaced him on Jake’s recommendation.

Jake played a few shows as lead guitarist of Rough Cutt, until Ronnie James Dio discovered his incredible talents. They planned to work together until Ozzy Osbourne interrupted them. He asked Jake to audition for his band following the sad passing of Randy Rhoads. Jake knew that Randy’s shoes were hard to fill, but he believed he was able to fill them. Ozzy auditioned around 500 other guitarists from around the world, eventually choosing Jake to fill the void of Randy Rhoads. Jake flew to England for rehearsal, and then went on tour with the legendary madman Ozzy Osbourne.

For the next four years, Jake recorded, wrote and toured with Ozzy. They released “Bark at the Moon”, which eventually went multi-platinum, and quickly quieted critics who said Rhoads could never be replaced. The “Ultimate Sin” album followed, which was another huge success for Ozzy. Osbourne, at the time was going through his well-documented drug and alcohol periods, and during a rehearsal fired Jake in the middle of one of his rages. Contrary to common belief, however, Ozzy and Jake remain good friends to this day. Ozzy has recently talked to Jake about a possible reunion, although Jake has repeatedly turned him down.

After the Ozzy Osbourne madness, Jake decided to take a well-earned break. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and daughter. As soon as word spread that Jake had left Ozzy’s band, the phone calls came in fast and furious. Nothing interested Jake, however, until he received a phone call from ex-Black Sabbath lead singer Ray Gillen. Gillen was hoping to form a blues-based metal band with Lee, and Lee responded. Together, they recruited bassist Greg Chaisson and drummer Eric Singer, and formed Badlands.

Badlands released their first album in 1989, self-titled “Badlands”. It was a mix of blues and hard rock, powered by hard-driving guitar riffs, receiving amazing critical acclaim as well as fantastic sales. The band toured worldwide to support the album, and followed it up with “Voodoo Highway”. This album was an even deeper dive into the blues, and again received much acclaim from critics. However, due to health issues, Ray left Badlands, and was replaced by John West. This incarnation proved not to be one that Jake wanted and Badlands disbanded. Unfortunately, Ray Gillen would eventually pass away due to complications caused by AIDS. In the year 2000, however, “Dusk” was released, which was recorded live in earlier sessions with Ray Gillen.

The passing of his friend Ray as well personal issues persuaded Jake to move away from the scene for a while. During this period of reflection, he was invited to play on many albums but only now has decided to re-launch his career.

Working with Kevin Churko and Ron Mancuso in Las Vegas, Jake E Lee’s spectacular new band ‘Red Dragon Cartel’ has recorded its’ eponymous first album for release on Frontiers Records in early 2014. The band features Darren Smith on lead vocals, Jonus Fairley on drums, Ron Mancuso on Bass and of course Jake E Lee on lead guitar. The album also features guest appearances from Robin Zander of ‘Cheap Trick’, Maria Brink from ‘In this Moment’ and many other all star musicians who appear on this album.

This amazing virtuoso guitarist with his new band will once again grace the rock world with his fire burning even brighter. Get ready for Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel to blast your head off in 2014.

Ethan Brosh’s star is on the rise. Having quickly established a reputation as one of heavy metal’s most exciting and progressive young guitarists, Brosh has developed a vast repertoire of complex and fiery riffs, jaw-dropping solos and spellbinding acoustic figures. An admitted perfectionist who sweats the details, Brosh will release his second all-instrumental album, Live the Dream, on March 4 via Carmine Appice’s new label Rocker Records LLC. Uniquely melodic, with well-crafted harmonies and adventurous compositions, Brosh’s latest – mixed by the legendary Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth), who Brosh coaxed out of retirement, and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Def Leppard, Bon Jovi) – picks up where 2009’s Out of Oblivion left off, with Brosh continuing his evolution as an artist, exploring new ideas and incorporating different styles while never compromising the essence of who he is. The albums actually were made five years apart, however. In the interim, the Berklee College of Music graduate and teacher, worked hard to hone his musical chops, and it shows on Live the Dream. “Because so much time had gone by, I feel like, first of all, I’ve become a better player,” said Brosh, “and as far as the production, I feel I was a lot more aware of what I was actually doing. I had better equipment, and I really spent a lot of time and energy and money on production. So I feel that production-wise, we really hit it this time.”

Indeed, Brosh, who’s been featured in Guitar World magazine numerous times, has come a long way in relatively short period of time. Born in upstate New York, Brosh actually grew up in Israel studying both classical and electric guitar. There he was tutored by master electric guitarist Eyal Freeman, who helped Brosh get into Berklee, where much of Out of Oblivion was written. “Out of Oblivion evolved through a really long period of time, from the first tunes I’d ever written back in Israel and tunes I’d written throughout my time at Berklee specifically for the purpose of making a record,” said Brosh.

An auspicious debut, Out of Oblivion was mixed by the renowned sound engineer Chris Tsangarites (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and Yngwie Malmsteen). Derek Riggs, famed for his Iron Maiden artwork, designed the cover, and guitarist Greg Howe, best known for playing alongside Michael Jackson, and Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini also contributed to the record, as did ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch. During this time, a chance meeting through MySpace with ex-Manowar drummer Rhino led to Brosh joining Rhino and Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson in Angels of Babylon and playing lead and nylon-string guitar on two AOB records. He has since bowed out of the project. His involvement in the melodic-rock outfit Burning Heat, which he started after leaving school, is ongoing, however, although with much of his focus these days is on his solo work, Brosh’s touring schedule is sure to heat up. Soon, he’ll be opening for Michael Schenker, this after supporting Yngwie Malmsteen last summer, which was quite an education. “Just looking at the guy’s face and seeing the way he plays and his approach, I can’t even put it into words,” said Brosh, who wants to be part of a legendary heavy metal band and play giant arenas. Already, he has shared stages with icons like Malmsteen, Schenker and Pat Travers, among others, including Jake E. Lee and his new project, Red Dragon Cartel. Brosh has shown he belongs in their company.

The words “I Decline” represent a middle finger to the mediocrity in the world of modern hard rock and metal music.  Fusing this creed with the attitude of Punk, riff-laden hooks of Classic and Stoner Rock, and the fury of Heavy Metal, I Decline crafts its own hybrid of hard-edged music that they define as the “New Wave of American Punk Metal” (NWOAPM).  In 2010, I Decline released their 3rd full-length album Time To Shine, a bombastic onslaught of fist in the air anthems for a blue-collar society that touches upon mortality, desolation, and broken relationships.  Time To Shine is a metaphor to the aftermath of 9/11 and the personal struggles we face as humans in this chaotic world, while searching for new hope.  During their fourteen-year history in the Chicago music scene, I Decline has provided support alongside Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Mondo Generator), Joe Preston’s “Thrones” (Melvins, High On Fire, Sunn O))), Earth), Toxic Holocaust (Relapse), Holy Grail (Prosthetic), and Krum Bums (Century Media).

In a time when Disney rules the Billboard Hot 100 and electric guitars seem to be nowhere in sight, the future of rock n’ roll music certainly seems bleak. In the ashes of what seems to be a lost art form, countless bands and fans across the world struggle to revive some semblance of the music they love. However, as the musical climate continues to change, it seems as though fans are hungry forthat same excitement that only timeless rock n’ roll can provide. LOVEBLAST from Chicago, Illinois is ready to deliver just that. . .

When it comes to songs, LOVEBLAST does it all! From the arena-ready bombast of “Harder & Faster,” and “Things That Bite,” to the 1940’s flavored musings of “Goodbye My Darling,” it all sounds like LOVEBLAST, and it all kicks ass! No matter what approach the band takes, LOVEBLAST songs boast huge choruses and AOR Hooks galore. In addition to their high caliber songwriting, LOVEBLAST’s music showcases the blistering and passionate guitar work by what is likely to be the next great guitar duo, Brian Durbin and Brian Gilmanov. The songs are locked down by a powerhouse rhythm section that features the raunchy, grooving bass lines of Johnny Rox, and the hard hitting drum talent of Jeff Dewbray. Durbin’s heart for rock n’ roll music and vocal delivery provides a unique touch, updating the band’s sound and separating them from just another 80’s rock revivalist band. Whether it is communicated through live performance, or the band’s exceptional debut album, all of these elements are delivered with the grit and conviction of any legendary rock n’ roll band.

Most of all, LOVEBLAST is all about fun, and high-octane performance is what LOVEBLAST does best! After witnessing her first LOVEBLAST concert in January of 2010, Gina Planell, writer/photographer for Chicago’s Rock, reported, “They are wickedly sensational, a ticking time bomb, a love drug, and an explosion all in one. I understood the name ‘LOVEBLAST’ immediately.” Above everything else, LOVEBLAST’s goal is to ensure that everyone in the crowd leaves with a smile on their face, and that is why the band has no issue with living up to the phrase, “The Hottest Band in Chicagoland,” night after night.

LOVEBLAST are breaking down walls internationally as well as locally, infecting audiences everywhere with their unique brand of rock n’ roll. The band is currently supporting their debut album, recorded by Chuck Macak of Electrowerks Music Production, and it is receiving excellent reviews all over the world. The ballad “Goodbye My Darling,” was listed as one of the songs of the year for 2010 in the annual Rock Realms Awards.

With their infectious songwriting and stunning on-stage performance, the sky is the limit for the future of LOVEBLAST!

When the IRONFINGER pokes you, you will step back at first. Immediately after, you will step forward to accept the challenge and take a better listen at exactly what the FINGER is telling you. IRONFINGER will blast you to the core with its direct assault on the senses. IRONFINGER is hard-driving rock, chock full of relentless guitar riffs and jagged instrumental and vocal melodies.

P.K. Ripper, guitarist of Chicago progressive metal legends Slauter Xstroyes, assembled IRONFINGER along with guitarist Jerry Buczko and bassist Bill Dixon. Their intent is to burn down an audience as if a scorching 85 mile-an-hour wind of fire were charging from the stage. Their front line of blistering guitar runs are precise yet unpredictable, serving only as a full-throttle thrust into one of their many blasting groove-heavy rhythms. Drummer John Ashe antagonistically encourages them to forge forward with his heavy-handed slamming, pushing and pulling without remorse. With the addition of vocalist Fred Morg, IRONFINGER stretches melodies up and over the entire machine, as well as weaving a melodic thread through the counterpoint. Their lyrics, bringing insight to a world losing touch with its human element, are made more meaningful when the IRONFINGER audio assault pushes it forward.

IRONFINGER’s sound is derived from its members’ varied backgrounds. Each members is a seasoned veteran of the hard rock music scene, having merged together from different corners of Chicago’s rock scene. Whether it be Rock, Punk/Pop, or Metal; and the interaction is still seamless and honest without sounding like a dysfunctional melting pot. IT JUST ROCKS.

The FINGER is on the trigger, and its shooting will be rapid and focused. Every IRONFINGER live show wins over its audience, and their soon-to-be-released debut will do the same in 2014. With its seemingly endless arsenal of musical ideas and conquered goals, IRONFINGER WILL POKE AT YOU.