Author: Hilary Mahoney
Hilary Mahoney is a live entertainment specialist and former lead music writer for Hoopla, an entertainment periodical published by the Cedar Rapids, IA Gazette newspaper as well as Pulse, a former entertainment magazine based out of Waterloo, Iowa. On a daily basis, Hilary can be found in the trenches interviewing band members and attending live music venues. Hilary majored in music in junior college and in 2006, earned her BA in nonprofit administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Her background in music, theater and dance uniquely qualify her to write compelling, informative exposés as well as fueling her ongoing personal pursuit of the bass guitar.
VISTA KICKS and Their Booty Shakin’ Rock N’ Roll
Four young men who have known each other most of their lives made the decision to pool their talents together and form a band. Those young men- Sam Plecker, Nolan Le Vine, Trevor Sutton, and Derek Thomas- released an independent EP in 2016 and began making waves on Spotify and YouTube. In the fall of… Read more »
MYLES KENNEDY – Year of the Tiger
Myles Kennedy’s vocal prowess is well known in the world of rock, having been voted Loudwire’s Vocalist of the Year three times as a result of his work with Alter Bridge and Slash. After decades in the industry, Kennedy has finally released a solo album, Year of the Tiger. The album shows Kennedy taking a… Read more »
SAXON – Thunderbolt
After 40 years, Saxon is still going strong, releasing their 22nd album, Thunderbolt. Battering Ram in 2015 was their latest release, and although there have of course been a few line-up changes throughout the years, Biff and the boys don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon as they embark on leg one of their… Read more »
ADRIAN VANDENBERG – The Dutchman Returns
Once upon a time, a young Dutchman rose to fame for his prowess on a six-stringed instrument called a guitar. He even had a band named after him (Vandenberg), and then joined one of the biggest bands of the 1980’s (Whitesnake). He traveled the world with that guitar, making hearts happy. But then that Dutchman… Read more »
VANDENBERG’s MOONKINGS – MKII
Adrian Vandenberg’s newest project Vandenberg’s Moonkings has released their second album. Released November 3rd, via Mascot Label Group, MKII is evidence that there is no “sophomore slump” for the Moonkings. Right out of the gate, the album’s first video release and opening song, Tightrope provides a glimpse of what can be expected on this album,… Read more »
L.A. Guns- The Missing Peace
How many of your favorite bands that debuted in the 80’s are still putting out new music? Sure, there are a handful, but those numbers are fairly low. Well, after years of lineup changes, and even two bands using the same name for a period of time, L.A. Guns are back with The Missing Peace… Read more »
REVOLUTION SAINTS – Light In The Dark
After debuting in 2015, the Revolution Saints are back with their sophomore release, Light In The Dark. If you aren’t sure who the Revolution Saints are, the band is comprised of some well-known musicians: Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees), Deen Castronovo (ex-Journey, Bad English), and Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies, ex-Whitesnake, DIO). Blades on… Read more »
JACKYL – Celebrating 25 Years of Rowdy Rock n’ Roll
Think back to 1992. Many bands made their debut around that time. Now think about how many of them are still together. Or how many haven’t broken up for a length of time and perhaps gotten back together and barely resemble the old band, with perhaps only one or two original members. Very few have… Read more »
JACKYL – 25
It might be hard to believe that the band Jackyl is celebrating their silver anniversary. It’s been 25 years since The Lumberjack came out and Jesse James Dupree started playing the chainsaw as a musical instrument? Yes, yes it has. And Jackyl has stayed just as raunchy and wild as they were in 1992. To… Read more »
Black Sabbath: The Illustrated Lyrics Vol. 2: Songs of Protest and Apocalypse – Book Review
From the Royal Publisher of Oz comes their latest book release, Black Sabbath: The Illustrated Lyrics Vol. 2: Songs of Protest and Apocalypse. Author Joe Bongiorno is taking his readers on an in-depth journey through each and every one of Black Sabbath’s albums from the 1970’s. This second book in what will be an eight… Read more »
MR. BIG – 30 Years & Still Defying Gravity
Twenty-five years after the release of their most well-known hit, To Be With You, Mr. Big is releasing their ninth studio album, Defying Gravity, via Frontiers Records (July 21). And achieving what many bands with longevity have not been able to, all of the original members of the band are still involved. Mr. Big’s lineup… Read more »
MR. BIG – Defying Gravity
As they approach their 30 year anniversary as a band, Mr. Big is releasing their ninth studio album, Defying Gravity via Frontiers Music SRL on July 21, 2017. The original lineup is still intact- Eric Martin (Vocals), Paul Gilbert (Guitar), Billy Sheehan (Bass), and Pat Torpey (drums). While Torpey was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Matt… Read more »