A Day Out At The Book Fair- LA Times Annual Festival Of Books

Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine

Books, Music, Food and fun what more could you possibly ask for when you get a combination like this? I’d say you’ve gotten yourself into some type of festival but one that revolves around books? I can understand music and food and fun but why would a festival want to revolve around books. Well it turns out books are the most important source of fun you could ever imagine because their pages take you to faraway lands and islands and worlds of the unknown all you have to do is imagine it and it will become as real as you make it. That’s what happens when you gather together thousands of various authors both new and upcoming to classic and oldies but goodie authors.

This festival is known only as The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and is taken place at the UCLA campus and admission is absolutely free just bring along your friends and family members and you get two full days of access! Meet thousands of authors and take the time of chilling out on some great foods and listening in on some of the coolest music around. But that’s not all you get thrown with, when attending this type of festival there are prize giveaways and panel discussions with the authors and various vendors willing to help you find your way. Six different stages (Target Children’s Stage, Culinary Stage, Los Angeles Times Stage, Etc. Stage, Poetry Stage, and the Hoy Cultural Stage) were set up that started showcasing various authors and conducting interviews since the beginning of the event at 10 A..M. Lasting long into the nightfall of 4 and 5 P.M. The exhibitor’s list contained some of the following sponsors that were dishing out the goodness throughout the day such as Target, TicketMaster, Time Warner Cable, AmazonKindle, ktla5CE, and various radio stations dishing out the smooth jazz mix-ups to the mellowness of the rock and roll beatings. Some authors that plan to outbreak and spread the worth knowledge of the free words found only in books, includes Robert Crais, Michael J. Fox, Tori Spelling, and Larry Wilmore, among the other 450 authors planning on hanging out.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books should be one event this spring time you should gather everyone for because it indeed does have something for everyone no matter how old they may be. You’ll have a great time hanging around thousands of book lovers, wonderful food, and music atmosphere for the entire UCLA campus surroundings. There is never a dull moment when you attend The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books!

American Idol Season 8 – TOP 7

This week in the American Idol world, the contestants got to sing movie songs. What’s great about this genre is that there are so many choices and styles to chose from. You have slow ballads, disco, rock, and it’s easy to put your own spin on things. For the top seven, they got the ability to work with producer Quintan Tarantino.

The contestants really did a good job this week. There were two that seemed to have some weaknesses, which involved Kris who Randy said was pitchy, and Matt who took a ballad by Bryan Adams and made it a little more his own. The judges liked the vocals but said he over did the song a bit. Anoop had a great night, and Adam got raves on his performance but Simon said it was reminiscent of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Adam liked the comment and said he didn’t think it was an insult.

Idol’s stage had some great acts perform live for the audience. One show was the now “Miley Cyrus” who has decided to put Hannah Montana to rest. She sang her song “The Climb” for our listening pleasure. The song was great, and it’s nice to see that Miley has evolved from Hannah and is growing up. If she was unable to step out of her alter ego, childhood persona she was doomed to be a washed up singer or out of work child star. She showed amazing growth as an artist. However, I did see that her on stage performance was a bit boring. Maybe it’s because the song is a ballad, but her style needs to still evolve with her as well. 

Another great act was Jennifer Hudson, who in the last few years had seen some great moments like winning an Oscar and Grammy for her first ever album, and movie role. On the bad side, there was a huge family tragedy in her life that shocked the whole world and her loving fans. Jennifer went out with some serious poise tonight, coming back for the first time on the stage she was eliminated from. She is one of the idols who actually did something for herself and out shined her season’s victor, Fantasia. Jennifer looked beautiful, her voice was stunning and I can see why people said she was robbed of the American Idol victory.

In the end, America voted and three contestants had to face elimination. This week, Lil Rounds, Anoop Dasi, and Matt Giraud got the call to the cold metal seats. Anoop had a great performance and really shouldn’t have been there, but when you look at the talent on the chairs across from them, their best performance looks mediocre at best to the rest. Kris, though, I felt should have taken the seat and not Anoop. For Anoop, it was a good feeling to know he was not the bottom two and got to sit down and wait to see who was going home.

America voted and sent Matt home over Lil Rounds. Matt got his chance to impress the judges and spare his time on stage for one more week, and believe it or not, they allowed him. Matt was saved by the judges. Is this a good thing? Next week is disco, the one week that kills the idols unless you can act the genre, and two idols will be sent home.  Matt will be kind of the “lame duck” of the show. It will be interesting to see how far he can go now.

This is the week that could kill Adam or Danny. They better hope they perform one heck of a show and have enough support to get them through to the next week, which it seems like they do but you never know.

A Haunting In Connecticut

This is one of the first, “based on a true story,” horror movies to grace the silver screen in a good long time.  A Haunting in Connecticut follows the footsteps of the 1979 The Amityville Horror, which was also based on true events in New York State. The events of A Haunting in Connecticut were told to the writers by the mother of the family who lived through this horrific ordeal.  Each happening was from her recollection which gives the movie an even more believable plot.  A Haunting in Connecticut has been said by some to be the place where Lucifer himself haunted.

The movie is based on a family who had a very sick child dying from cancer in 1987.  The trip to and from Southington for treatment was a long drive for the boy who suffered on his trip back to his home.  The family decided to move closer to the treatment facility, but realized the mortgage on their home and rent would be tough to carry with the heavy medical bills.  They found a home in Southington, where the rent was cheap, mainly because the house was an abandoned funeral home.

Upon arrival, they found a ghastly sight in the basement where her sick son slept.  The room adjacent to his bed was the morgue; inside was left over Formaldehyde, and embalming utensils. There were blood stained walls and floors.  The stainless steel tables where the bodies were cut up and prepped on were still there.  It was not a pleasant sight.

The house had a history of having a medium there, where local survivors of their late family would come to talk to their dead loved ones.  In an attempt to make the seance more effective, the undertaker would cut the eyelids off some of the dead to gain power for their medium; this is where it’s been thought they brought a few nasty demons into the house.  Over time the city realized some of the coffins in the Southington Cemetery were empty because the funeral home never buried people in coffins; instead they were in the home, walled up.

The sick boy was the target of these demons, but in the end, the malevolence moved from the son to the entire family.  The events were so brutal in some cases, the family thought they would die.

This movie depicts all these great events, but does leave some things out.  I was a bit convinced this movie would embellish the truth to make it more horrifying.  After watching A Haunting in Connecticut, I was very impressed to see they didn’t embellish or make things up and it was still just as frightening.  That made this movie all the more better in my eyes.  The only thing they didn’t do was tell the real name of the city; they called it Goatington, when it was really Southington.

A Haunting in Connecticut hits close to home for me.  I lived in Southington, CT from 1979 to 1989.  That summer of 1988, I broke my arm and had a lot of time to watch TV.  The events in that house made the news and front page in The Meriden Record Journal and The Bristol Press.  Her son and I went to the same hospital, and their house was only a few houses away from the Southington Hospital.  In fact, I was only four streets down from this house and I remember the day that the sick son set the place ablaze.  Today that house is still there but looks different from the rebuild.

I would seriously recommend going to see this movie.  It’s frightening, it’s factual and it’s well laid out.  The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what will happen next.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Phil Spector Found Guilty

Forty plus years ago, radio had one of its greatest producers of pop and rock in the history of American music.  Phil Spector’s name was tagged to great hits like “Be My Baby” by the legendary Ronettes, “You Lost That Loving Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers, and just about every song the Crystals sang such as “The Do Ron Ron.”

Despite his success, Phil Spector had a vicious side, especially when he drank.  His estranged wife Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes left him because of his binge drinking and violent past.  Ike and Tina Turner even had their rounds with Mr. Spector.  Even though he was a genius in the studio, Spector was a fierce businessman that many didn’t want to tangle with; it just wasn’t worth the hassle.

In 2003, the hall of fame producer was at a bar where he picked up Lana Clarkson; he took her home to his mansion where she allegedly committed suicide.  Spector’s testimony was that she asked to see his gun, and upon showing it to her, she ate the barrel and pulled the trigger killing herself in his home.

The prosecutor had a different story.  With a parade of witnesses, he told a tale of Spector’s drunken temperament.  The prosecutor claimed that if someone wanted to leave Spector’s mansion and he wasn’t ready to let them go, he would hold the person at gunpoint.

In the first trial, the jury was deadlocked and deemed a mistrial.  Spector got off easy, but was then retried this year in a lesser sentence of second degree murder.  The first trial was indeed for first degree murder which stood to send Spector to death row.

On Monday, April 13, 2009, a jury convicted Mr. Spector of second degree murder of Lana Clarkson.  This sentence could land this hall of fame producer in jail for a minimum of eighteen years; fifteen years for second degree murder and three additional years for using a gun.  It took 30 hours for the jury to come up with their verdict, unlike the week for the first trial.  Spector showed no emotion as the verdict was read, but it’s been said his lawyers would sedate him due to his aggressive nature.

The judge remanded Spector to jail instantly, but his lawyers tried hard to convince the judge to let him go free on bail until the sentencing on May 30^th.  The judge denied the claim and Mr. Spector is sitting in a California prison tonight.

Phil Spector will be 88 when he’s eligible for parole; he has to serve a minimum of eighteen years to life.  He probably will never see the light of day again, and women everywhere can rest easier knowing this crazed maniac is behind bars.

Los Hijos De Ismael – En Pie De Paz

En Pie De Pas is a fantastic new album by Tampa Bay’s own Los Hijos De Ismael.  The CD is packed with rhythmic sounds from the Caribbean Islands, which is the exact goal this band wanted to do.  Growing up in the Dominican Republic and being born in Cuba, this music is their soul and heritage.  Sharing this soothing island sound is their gift to America, and the rest of the world.  

Listening to this CD gives you the feeling you’re on a tropical island, sipping a margarita and taking in the sights of the Caribbean; all you have to do is close your eyes.  Even the Beach Boys couldn’t deliver the feeling of the tropics like Los Hijos De Ismael can.  The CD is in Spanish, but even someone who doesn’t speak or understand the language will love this music.  

The new CD has twelve soothing sounds, led by the soft, calming voice of Alejandro that will easily remove every ounce of stress your body may contain.  Gabe, Alejandro’s brother, adds bass to this monster instrumental collaboration. The rest is complimented by the professional bongos of Roberto Leon, saxophones by Matt Gawlick, and Patrick Hernly on percussion.  The combination of these instruments make this CD a beautiful, harmonic compilation that’s set to run straight to the top of the charts, and your hearts.

If you never listened to Spanish/Caribbean music, then here is your chance to spoil your ears on something great.  I give this CD 5 out of 5 stars. 

CD on sale now at CD Baby and iTunes or at www.sonsofismael.com 

American Idol Season 8 Top 8

This week the Idol contestants were asked to sing top songs from the year they were born.  This is always a fun week because it gives you a variety of different sounds as each contestant is born in a different year.  What we got was a mixed show where some idols shined, and others flopped.  Some of the ones we really saw shine were Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey and Matt Giraud; these contestants seem to be consistent each week, wowing the crowd and judges.

We also saw something this week we never saw before and some of us didn’t see at all, unless you were in the audience.  The reason is that American Idol ran over an hour, which meant some DVRs did not record the ending.  So, for those of you who didn’t get to see it, here’s what happened.  Simon Cowell gave Adam Lambert a standing ovation, and in the last seven years, has never done such a gesture for anyone.

Some of the contestants that had a good performance but were lacking some life were Anoop Desai, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, and Kris Allen.  The bottom three for this week were Anoop, Scott and Lil.  Anoop is no stranger to the bottom three, however, it was Scott and Lil’s first time to feel the heat.  I was shocked because Kris’s performance was horrible and he surely deserved to be in the bottom tier this week, but it shows that he has the crowd’s support.

After America’s 35 million votes, they decided to send Scott MacIntyre home.  The judges truly like this contestant, but they said his showmanship is listless.  Scott is blind and can’t move around like the others so his performances will be a little dry, but his voice is stellar.  The judges were deadlocked about keeping him; two wanted him stay and two wanted him sent home.  The one judge that wanted Scott to stay was Simon, but Kara and Randy wanted to send him packing.  Simon made a decision based on the divided panel and ended up making it the end of the road for Scott; a decision he said was very tough for him.

Paula said a last word to Scott, praising him for his courage and determination. She said he is an inspiration to us all and his voice will take him far beyond Idol.

Scott was not going to win this competition, but he did leave too early.  I feel Anoop, Lil Rounds or Kris Allen were far weaker than Scott was, and they should have used the save for Scott.  I think they are saving the save for two more weeks in case Danny or Adam find themselves eliminated.

Miss Netta: The Beyonce of Rap

Gwenetta “Miss Netta” Martin is soon hoping to make her mark in the music industry as a young female rap artist.  At 22-years-old, Miss Netta is setting the rap scene with such hits as “Baby from the Back” and “Stank Walk.”  Hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, Miss Netta says she has only been rapping for a few years.  She started at nineteen, but didn’t officially get involved in the business until a year later.  Although a newcomer, Miss Netta’s quality vocals sound well-established, setting her apart from the rest.

Miss Netta is not only a talented rap artist, but she is also a dancer and choreographer.  She says she loves to dance and enjoys teaching hip hop moves to others.

Miss Netta says she is musically influenced by Beyonce Knowles and hopes to one day become just as famous.  ”I want to pursue my dreams, keep pushing forward and never give up so that I can take care of my family and be happy with my life,” states Miss Netta.  There is no doubt that she is on the right path with her music career.  The popular rapper typically performs at clubs, community events and even at birthday parties.

Be sure to check out Miss Netta live on stage.  She has a strong stage presence, making her energetic shows infectious.  Miss Netta is a definite must-see.

You can view some of Miss Netta’s videos on YouTube, and you can also visit her at www.myspace.com/missnettacute.

If you are interested in booking Miss Netta for a show, or are looking for a skilled choreographer, contact her at gwenettamartin@yahoo.com or at missnetta87@gmail.com.

Faith Prince In Broadway’s Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid opened to packed houses at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 10th 2008 and is booked till August 2009. Walt Disney’s musical – The Little Mermaid tells the story of Ariel the daughter of King Triton. She is not happy underwater and longs to discover humans. She and her father quarrel about these fish eaters. Then Ariel meets Ursula the sea witch and asks her for help.

Based on the story by Hans Christian Anderson, The Little Mermaid is a big hit with young and old a like. The play is directed by Francesca Zambello and choreographed by Stephen Mear. The songs such as Part of Your World, Kiss the Girl, Under the Sea feature in the musical. The current show features Sierra Boggess as Ariel, Heidi Blickenstaff as Ursula, Sean Palmer as Prince Eric and Norm Lewis as King Triton.

Faith Prince would take over from Heidi Blickenstaff as Ursula from the 7th of April. Faith Price has won many accolades in Broadway. Winner of the Tony Award for the role of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, she is planning to become the evil sea witch. The sea witch is half woman and half octopus and the role is quite demanding. Sherie Rene Scott, the originator of the character won a nomination from the Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance as Ursula. The role requires Faith Prince to don a frightful wig and multi tentacled costume. The character sings the famous number Poor Unfortunate Souls in the play.

Faith Price is a very renowned actress and has proved her talent in many ways. The winner of Tony Award, she was again recently nominated for the award for her performance in A Catered Affair. She has Drama Desk and Drama League nominations for her spectacular performances on stage.  Films and television also take quite a bit of her time. She would be seen soon in the film – Our Very Own. She has been a familiar face on television appearing in Spin City for five seasons and also in Now and Again.

Her Tony Award winning performance as Adelaide also won her the Best Actress Award in Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk. She also is the owner of two other Tony Award nominations for her portrayal of Ella Peterson in Bells are Ringing and Jerome Robbin’s Broadway. She bagged the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations for these, as well.

Faith Prince is an accomplished singer. She has worked with Utah Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, The Boston Pops and many other bands. Her Australia show titled Moving On earned her a reputation as a rare and gifted singer. The show earned great reviews.

We wish Faith the very best and hope to see her as Ursula and maybe bag a few awards and nominations for her portrayal of the sea witch. Certainly the character would receive justification if the role is played by Faith Prince. There are no doubts as to her ability to perform but expectations are high and a spectacular performance is expected.

http://www.reedstickets.net/little-mermaid-tickets.html Little Mermaid Tickets and Resources. Little Mermaid tickets and resource web site covering all of New York City with reviews and venue resources.

The Roaches That Didn’t Get Smooshed – Papa Roach

Once upon a time there a series of bugs and insects that lived together some worked and some stayed at home with their families while others wanted to fulfill their lives with the joy of music. Many of the talented music bugs/insects were unsuccessful except some a set of four roaches that were just determined to not want to give up; Jacob Shaddix (Vocals), Jerry Horton (Guitar, Vocals), Tobin Esperance (Bass, Guitar, Vocals) and Tony Palermo (Drums). Thus the form of alternative rock band known only as Papa Roach was born in 1993 from the warm depths of the California sunlight.

The heat and brightness of the hot misty air shined down above the hundreds who lived in California and the four members of Papa Roach knew how to keep everyone all nice and cool. By playing some rock music? The band broke into the music scene unleashing upon the masses “Old Friends from Young Years,” (1997) and soon after “Infest,” (2000) that lead towards three more accomplishments; “Lovehatetragedy,” (2002) “Getting Away with Murder,” (2004), and “The Paramour Sessions,” (2006) but then the tragedy and disappearance of the band was in the air and we hadn’t heard or seen Papa Roach for some time….

Until the arrival of the year known as 2009 the arrival of “NEW” and this time everyone is back up on their feet creating what they love to do most in the music world which is music and by all means may I present to you Papa Roach’s sixth and foremost newest addition to their rockiest collection yet “Metamorphosis.” Originally being named “Days of War, Nights of Love,” the band decided to switch it up a notch with something more edgy and catchy that draws you in wanting to know the meaning behind the name.

Vocalist and front man Jacob spoke to me about the band’s current touring schedule and upcoming plans for the next couple of months and what to expect to see them come the summer and fall terms. Jacob also went into discussing about how their newest record “Metamorphosis,” came into effect and how is currently being reacting to the media and fan base.

How is the current tour going? You guys recently did a set of dates right here in Los Angeles having celebrated what was the occasion?

Jacob: The tour is going great everything is going good we’ve been out with Buckcherry and Avenged Sevenfold for the last 8 months and we’ve played in front of a million people by now and is a record for us and that’s great; and the shows out in Los Angeles did one in Los Angeles and one in New York small, small club dates and those were for the 10 Anniversary shows, and we did one at the Troubadour and that’s where we got our start in Los Angeles and that’s  actually the club we got signed out of it was great to play back there and just throw down.

What are your upcoming plans for the 2009 year?

Jacob: We’re gonna be touring our asses off we’re finishing this tour on the 11^th and then the 12^th going to Europe for 2 and half weeks and kicked the shit out of Europe for a couple of weeks and looks like all the dates are sold out which is great; and then after that and then come back to the states playing a few shows and then this summer go out with Nickleback and just working our asses off touring, touring, touring we have a great time.

Could you briefly summarize the time spent in the recording studio and the how the ending result of “Metamorphosis,” came about?

Jacob: For us we went back to the Paramour in Los Angeles in the process of that we have a new drummer and a huge change for us. We had a blast writing this record we didn’t have any issues with each other just four men in the studio jamming having a good time. Since this is for the fans of Papa Roach and have a statement and really say something we were paying attention to the world around us and the song “Lifeline,” was inspired on what’s going on right now in the United States and in particular my hometown Sacramento and the leading places homes for home foreclosure and a lot of desperation people losing their homes is a tragedy and for me I the first year of my life; my family was homeless I can identify and being poor and growing up and stuff like that and “Lifeline,” is a song  that relates to the desperate times we live in and the war in IRAQ and everything that’s going on over there. We’re centered in on that and wrote a song called “Had Enough,” and how violence is penetrating our lives and every aspect of our lives and we’ve had enough of it and we’re basically making a record about the world around us than just a record that’s totally personal.

How were you guys chosen to play the Guitar Center Drum Off event, I was there by the way, tried setting up an interview with you guys then but didn’t know who to contact.

Jacob: That’s the case of us every records we put out either a new record company or new president of the company. But the drum-off was great man, and seeing we got a new drummer and showcasing him and showing him as a kick-ass drummer and it was a great show and the drummer of Iron Maiden was there and the guy from Shadows Fall was in the house and it was a really fun show, it was a great night.

How does it feel to have some of your songs being playable for the Rockband video game, are you fan of it?

Jacob: Oh yeah I think it’s great and really gotten the kids heads into rock and roll and for us to be involved in that is great. It helps us really make our band name an out- sold name because that game is a fucking hotcake and really helps get our music out to the people.

You guys played last year’s Crufest, and also was a guest on Motley Crue’s “Saints of Los Angeles tune, how was that experience?

Jacob: For us, we were sitting at the Paramour, and our manager called and asked us would you wanna go out with Motley Crue this summer? We didn’t even have to think we were like “FUCK YES” and then they asked me to sing for the song and I was like I’d love to they’re one of my favorite bands. After that being in the video and going out on tour and singing “Saints of Los Angeles,” every night, it was off the chain and it was a blast that will be a summer I will always remember.

Are there any 2009 plans you want fans to know about or do you want to be secretive?

Jacob: For us really is about touring for this record and supporting it and we’re trying to get involved for some charity work and do some stuff for our community and anybody out there that needs help or wants to help people go volunteer at a soup kitchen or a shelter ya know and give back to the less fortunate in our communities because people really need right now.

What are the largest and smallest crowds you’ve played in front of?

Jacob: The smallest crowd like back in the day when we first started was those back yard parties and garage parties and shit like that and the biggest crowd we played in front was Rock-n Rio with Guns-n-Roses and Oasis in 2001-2002 and that just blew me away I was tripped out.

Do you remember the first show Papa Roach ever played?

Jacob: The first show we ever played was the high school talent show in 1993 and we thought we were the coolest thing since slice bread but we fucking sucked. We were having fun so that’s what it was all about.

Why the name change from “Days of War, Nights of Love,” to this title.

Jacob: “Metamorphosis,” just more fitting and what we’ve gone through firing management and getting a new booking agent and also with the sound of the band; really progressing and pushing ourselves in a new direction and I think where we’re at as a band, the evolution and progression is what keeps this band pushing us forward and our goal as a rock and roll band and take our fans on a new ride and take them to new places I think it’s our reasonability.

Is there going to be a new DVD in the works?

Jacob: I’m sure over the cycle of this record we are definitely going to do another live DVD and when we get on stage and throw done that is the best element of our band. Also recently we went into the studio in Nashville and cut a couple of acoustic songs “Lifeline,” “Carry Me,” and “Had Enough,”  three songs off the new record, and had a good time doing that so look out for those somewhere, somehow, somewhere.

As I mentioned before I had seen you guys perform back in January of this year, and noticed you have a lot of tattoos spread around you, is there one that has a special meaning?

Jacob: I would say the tattoo of a microphone on my forearm and my X-Drummer drew it up for me and that was back in the mid-90′s and I had a day-job and I was like “FUCK IT” and I was committed this is my life and my passion and went and got it tattooed and where everybody can see it and that was the moment where I was like this is my life and I want to play music and what I want to do.

You obviously have toured all over since the beginning of your career, but has there been a spot that Papa Roach hasn’t been too?

Jacob: We’ve never been to Antarctica and I would like to go to Alaska and going to Russia for our first time in June and probably go play North Korea sometime. *Laughs*There are a lot of places we have yet to go.

Do you ever get tired of hearing the same questions from Journalists?

Jacob: Ya know for us it’s our opportunity to get our message out and comes with the job and try to make the best of any situation.

You just released your latest video “Lifeline,” did you work with the same people that did “Hollywood Whore”?

Jacob: No we worked with a different guy, Chris Sims and we wanted to express the reality of the world around us in that video and I think we wanted to make a video with a message and I think we did a great job on that video I’m really proud of it. We’re going to go work again who directed and produced “Hollywood Whore,” and going over to the U.K. and stopping in with him and shooting videos for “Days Of War,” and “Change Or Die,” we really like working with him it’s going to be combat,  rock and roll death cult it’s gonna be awesome.

Can you take a guess as to how many interviews you’ve done in the past 24 hours?

Jacob: 4.

Are we going to be seeing you guys perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live anytime soon?

Jacob: We would love to do that show I’m sure over the course of this record and we did Jay Leno over a month ago and we did “Lifeline,” and I think for us that was our best television performance to date. It just sounded right and felt right and we went back and watched it and we like “We did it.” T.V. is hard to do sometimes because you’re under the microscope, but we nailed it this last time.

I’m curious to know what does the name “roach” in Papa Roach refer too, does it refer to the insect or something else?

Jacob: Papa Roach it came from my great grandfather last name and we called it Papa Roach and once we became the band we grabbed the cockroach as our motto and mascot and the thing I love about the cockroach when everything is done and over with the cockroach can survive anything.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Jacob: For us we feel blessed and humble to still being doing this for so many years now, and get an impact on people’s lives and getting support from our fans and we are nowhere near from ending this we have so much more to say and so much more to say and write about. So bewared!

Written by The Expressionist’s own LA Music Reporter:  Natalie Perez

Impending Doom – Exclusive Interview

Right before their show in Los Angeles, our west coast reporter Natalie Perez was able to catch up and gain an exclusive interview with the hard rock band Impending Doom.

How did the name come about?

David: Our lead singer thought of basically he liked the name “doom” but doom is already a band name, so the name came to him one night because it means without God our lives on Earth are impending doom.

How is the current album The Serpent Servant going?

David: Good it comes out in 2 days out on Tuesday.

How did the title, artwork, and lyrics come about?

David: The title with the first song we wrote was a while ago back in June and we started playing it on the last tour and after that tour we had to think about the new album and then named the album after it. And our singer Brooke and had an idea of how he wanted it to look.

When did the band form?

David: Our first show was October 31st 2005 and the band formed in 2005 as well and weíve been going strong ever since.

When was the first show you played?

David: Well Iím not a originally member I joined 6 months after the band started, and my first show was performed in Coroa,California at the Showcase Theater I was pretty nervous, and that show was with All Shall Perish and The Faceless and Underneath The Gun Iím not too sure but it was fun.

How ís the current tour going?

David: Itís going good, itís a pretty long tour 6 weeks but everyday was pretty insane but the dudes of The Acacia Strain and Bleeding Through are super nice and fun to hang out with so itís been a great tour.

Any technical difficulties during your performance?

David: Oh yeah happens all the time like a cable will go out or break a string thatís the most common one, thatís why you have to have a back up guitar handy.

What do you prefer seeing while performing, hardcore dancers or mosh pits?

David: Mosh Pit, not a fan of hardcore dancing if you have crush pits and everyone jumping just everyone having a good time.

How you getting along with everyone?

David: Pretty good no bad vibes really. Weíve known As Blood Runs Black, and The Acacia Strain for a couple of years now so itís been fun hanging with them but Bleeding Through we never met until this tour but theyíre accepting and nice dudes.

What are your plans after this tour?

David: We have a month off and then we do a week in Mexico and then come home for 3 weeks and then start our headlining tour in June. It will be us and Carnifex for sure.

Did you do anything for St. Patrickís Day or Easter?

David: St. Patrickís Day we played a show, and everybody in that city was running around drunk and wearing green and Easter probably be with my family.

Any final thoughts or comments?

David: Pick up our CD when it comes out ìThe Serpent Servant,î and yeah check it out!

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