Friendship & Colleagues

    The title of my blog is "Musings of German Dave" and this is a musing of mine. The last 2 posts were interviews and all said they were fantastic interviews but I didn't have a chance to put my thoughts in perspective in a more up front manner. So to start off with I wanted to talk about friendship and what it means.

Friendship has various connotations throughout history and wherever region you go to. What friendship means to one group of people will not mean the same thing to another group, so forth. I feel though that friendship should be based on the idea of sacrifice! I like this quote from Lord Krishna as he is speaking to Arjuna,"O best of the Kuru dynasty, without sacrifice one can never live happily on this planet or in this life: what then of the next?" Sacrifice is to make something holy and the mode of that is devotion. Devotion to one's friends is to make the relationship divine and essentially certain and in some cases, eternal. All too often  people that have any sort of relationship do not strengthen the bonds(if any) that tie them. This is where devotion, and in a purer sense, sacrifice comes into play.

I do not live in an area where sacrifice, devotion, loyalty, honor, or really any virtues are the mode and blueprint that operates within people. Hell the time period is of a different sort; capitalism, hyper-individualism, and the pleasure principle operate at a mind boggling speed and these things condition the populace to Be a certain way. Most people do not grow up to learn how to Be from the heart and to attune themselves to self-reflection and even I have as of late have fallen to automatic impulses and bullshit behavior. With all this said this creates a situation where meaningful relationships, friendships, are hard to come by and form. Even relationships of the Blood tend to lose their force and families get torn apart! What is to be done to turn the tide?

Answer: Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Martin Heidegger, Vedic Philosophy, German Philosophy, Goethe, Greek Philosophy, Bhagavad Gita, Bathory

Local Spotlight:Rebel Hotel

     This is the second installment of Local Spotlight and recently I did an interview with Ricky Ohrn, singer and front man for hard rock band Rebel Hotel, and he shed light on what's going on with this awesome local band from Orange County. 

German Dave

Tell us who you are and a little bit about your story?

Ricky Ohrn

We are four rockers from three different countries who came together in Orange County and things burst into flames. All of us have played in many SoCal bands and knew of each other, we like the same music, and love playing what we’re playing and we also having a blast doing it.  Rebel Hotel started as a heavy 3 piece, but things weren’t quiet right but when we became the line up we are currently something just exploded. I think we all knew immediately that this is what we’ve been looking for, it just felt right and I know that no one in the band have had doubts about our self, the band and the direction we’re heading

German Dave

What is Rebel Hotel and what are it's origins?

 Ricky Ohrn

A straight up high-energy hard rock band with a truck load of attitude and exiting and unpredictable live performances. The influences are countless, but we’re definitely more of an old school band. Rebel Hotel originated from my previous bands demises cause the lead singers left, went to rehab, got jailed and even vanished, (all true) so I just decided to sing my self and we wont have that problem (laugh) and Rebel Hotel was conceived.

German Dave

Tell us a little bit about the current members of the band. Of course, Tristan is my best friend in real life and I know him all too well but tell me your perspective on him, Rique, and Dave.

Ricky Ohrn

I knew Tristan before Rebel Hotel from the Hollywood scene and he and I played a few shows together in the punk band Hollywood 77 where he kind of directed the band and he struck me as very driven and particular about getting it right, and I love that. He brought a refreshing punk/rock n roll bass style when he joined Rebel Hotel, and he have great attention to details in his playing, he brings a massive amounts of energy to the shows also, he’s simply just great to be in a band with, great easy going friend.

I have known Dave the longest, a total berserker that beat the shit out of his skins, have a great feel and repertoire, he brings a great groove to the music, action and debauchery to the parties and all over a really fun guy to be around, he’s a loose cannon and everything can happen around him, also a rock star by all means.

Rique was the last guy to join the band, it happened very quick, he was suddenly in the studio with us and he brought even more professionalism, drive, great skills and lots of knowledge about gear. He’s very accurate and also pays attention to micro details and super serious about the music. He is also someone I lean on for many things musically, with the band and in life. When he joined and the band became the 4 piece it is, it was like we’ve been sitting around on the floor for a long time but now where sitting in a leather couch, it became comfortable.

 German Dave

 I personally love the sound of Rebel Hotel, watched some band practices and I find your overall style refreshing and this is coming from a dude that listens to Metal all the time! Tell the readers what your sound is and who are some of the influences that helped create the sound. 

Ricky Ohrn

Our sound is probably coming from the days you plugged your axe straight into the amp, no processors and digital effects. Rique and I are playing Marshalls and Oranges and they just sound amazing together. After all we utilize all our options with the knobs on the guitars and 2 channels on the amps very few effects and you can be very creative with that without adding a bunch of bells and whistles, after all its what you play and how you play it that really matters.

I am personally deeply influenced by a lot of the Scandinavian rock bands such as Hellacopters, Backyard Babies, Hardcore Superstar and Babylon Bombs to mention a few, and together with the other guys we’re all coming from GnR, Zep kinda music and, I do think we bring some metal into it as well, and then we mix it with our old school style and making it our own blazing rock n’ roll cocktail and playing it all with a punk rock attitude…..

 German Dave

 Where do you see Rebel Hotel going and do you feel that balls-to-the-wall hard rock is going to gain a mainstream following or do you think it's something that is still more underground these days?

Ricky Ohrn

I don’t doubt for a second that what we’re doing could or will be mainstream because things change, trends change, music change. Every show we’ve played, we’ve certainly won the crowds respect and love because we’ve got catchy songs, and action performances. We are slightly different to what’s “modern” right now and that is refreshing to people. We have not so far heard “you sound like” and I love that. I know were not reinventing the wheel, but our different approach is more like we just re treading.

German Dave 

Tell us about some new things that are going on with Rebel Hotel these days?

Ricky Ohrn

We have spent a lot of time in the studio rehearsing for our up coming shows. We will bring it guaranteed!! Also we are going to release an EP of 6 killer tunes, some new, some re recorded as soon as we can. We just finished 2 of the songs, “Beat You Blind”, one of the older songs I wrote and “Down” a new one we wrote together recently, which is exciting because what’s on our sites are songs we did as a 3 piece and older demos I did, so the new recordings really represent the current band which is so much more exiting, and I cant wait for people to hear this and not the past line up. Also we will shoot a video for “Beat You Blind” in the up coming week or so, so keep an eye out for that. Next month (November) we’re booked all over Orange County and we will keep on booking shows through out the year everywhere. We also had a few different management companies showing interest in us, so we’ll try to choose who we want to work with. We will keep playing live and pushing our self as much we can, this is what we live for.

German Dave 

Any last thing you want to tell the readers?

Ricky Ohrn

Yes, come on out and experience a live show with energy, attitude and good songs, you can also check us out on all the social media to see what you’re in for but remember that some of the songs are older versions so keep checking in for the new tunes, video, live footage. We’re responding to all our fans all the time so don’t hesitate to ask us anything

Nov 2 Doll Hut

Nov 10 House Of Metal at Malone’s

Nov 15 Hogue Barmichaels

Nov 24 Tap House

Nov 30 Tiki Bar

Facebook.com/rebelhotel

Reverbnation.com/rebelhotel

Twitter.com/rebelhotel

German Dave 

Thank you for your time and hope to be front row and center at your next show!

Ricky Ohrn

Thank you and you know you got that…

Local Spotlight: Satani Infernalis

     This is the first of many posts I will be making about local bands in the Southern California area that I feel need to get more recognition and unfortunately there is a lot of talent out there but all too often they don't get the recognition they deserve. My hope is that I can help get the bands listeners and dedicated followers as well. Believe me though, I only pick the finest quality bands and not donkey crap that is all too often overrated and has too much exposure! I had the pleasure tonight to do an interview with Dantalian of Satani Infernalis, a local black metal band from the Los Angeles area. I have seen them play last year and unfortunately I didn't see another show since then but it is a goal of mine to go out there to LA, whether by train or hitching a ride, and see this group play!

German Dave

First thing's first, tell me a little bit about yourself and where you are from.

Dantalian

I am the vocalist/ guitarist for Satani Infernalis as well as working on a project called Misery Angel. I'm originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but currently live in Los Angeles.

German Dave

What brought you out to Los Angeles in the first place?

Dantalian

I've always loved it here. This is where you go to work in the music business.

I'm currently studying for a commercial music degree.

German Dave

That would make sense, Los Angeles seems to be the crossroads at least here in the United States to build and grow musical talent but I think your case is interesting though because it seems most of the music that comes through LA is not of the black metal milieu and being that I am a fan of black metal your music is rather refreshing.Not too go far off topic though, what is Satani Infernalis and what does it mean?

Dantalian

Satani Infernalis is an anti religion propaganda machine. It is my way of releasing my inner hate and darkness, while waking some people up from their brainwashing.

German Dave

Anti-religion? Like in all religious expression or just a few? It seems like Black Metal in general has in it's history been more focused on fighting against Christian doctrine but where do you stand in the scheme of things?

Dantalian

I do not agree with any form of religion. All religion enslave people with their version of the truth. Like our song is called, it's 'Mental Slavery.'

German Dave

I can agree with you that religious expression has been intolerant in certain forms and with the song Mental Slavery what are you trying to convey? Like is it just on the attack or is there other messages as well.

Dantalian

It's actually more away from the direct attack approach. The lyrics are more to get people to research these so called peaceful religions, and find out their true murderous past.

German Dave

That's good! It's about opening people's minds and making them aware of what controls the world. Ideologies, religions, philosophies they are all underneath the world's workings and putting a dent into certain false doctrines will help in that effort! With that said, what got you into Black Metal?

Dantalian

I met some random friend of a friend when I was 16-ish and was into Satanic death metal. He put on some Marduk, and Emperor, and I was sold. I found every album I could find then. Back then it was a lot harder to find black metal cds.

German Dave

That was a time that I felt separated those that were really for Black Metal and those that only had a superficial liking to it. Would you agree that Black Metal and just Metal in of itself is a world-view and a lifestyle itself?

Dantalian

Metal is a sub-culture. Like most cultures we have separate groups depending on preferences. I listen to all kinds of stuff, mainly metal, but i'm metal everyday. The way I prefer to dress, and the music I write and play, as well as my take no shit attitude.

German Dave

I feel that's a good description of what Metal represents though I feel there is an extraordinary amount of philosophical underpinnings that shape the direction it goes. And of course that goes with all of the different sub-genres so it can never be lumped entirely into a homogeneous stew.What separates Black Metal though from all the other genres?

Dantalian

Black Metal has extreme messages. Black Metal is real. No Faggy fucking hairstyles, or skinny jeans in Black Metal.

German Dave

As a Black Metal band, where do you get a lot of your influences from and from those influences how can you describe your sound?

Dantalian

A lot of the early bands have influence such as: Gorgoroth, Emperor, Old Burzum, Mayhem, Judas Iscariot, Marduk, etc. Lately I find myself listening to mostly US bands. Ritual Combat, Ascension, Satan's Host, Nekcrium, and Gravespawn, to name a few. Our sound is aggresive, dark, hateful, and has it's own atmosphere to it.

German Dave

And so far I love the sound and I have for a while and I want people to listen to Satani Infernalis as well. What are the show dates coming up for your band in the near future?

Dantalian

So far only Nov. 17th at the No Guts, No Glory Festival. There is going to be some sick fucking bands playing. Two days of skull crushing metal.

German Dave

And I hope that the Gods themselves will bring me there on November 17, otherwise I won't know what to do! I am going to check out all these other bands and hopefully I will get them showcased on this blog and other media too. Any bands you can recommend to us that are in this festival?

Dantalian

Through These Gates, Deceive(death metal), At Dusk, Azathoth from Fresno, Skoffin(thrash). There's a bunch more, these are the ones i'm looking forward to seeing.

German Dave

Well I will have to do research on these bands and make it known to the world what real Metal looks like!

And sounds like of course. Anyways, thanks for the interview and anything else you want to end it with?

Dantalian

Hammer should be playing this one. We should have you covered. Anytime, brother! Hail!

Download our free EP!

Anti Human Propaganda video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6y4rb4JbDQ

Oblivion/Infernal Infantry fan shot live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoSHiKcqzJE&feature=relmfu

Reverbnation link: http://www.reverbnation.com/sataniinfernalis

Metal Archives: http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Satani_Infernalis/98331

Facebook Official Page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Satani-Infernalis/165550976815185?ref=hl

Listening to Kaotic Radio on a smart phone

     We at The LaunchPad and Kaotic Radio frequently talk about using your smartphone for listening to our station while you are on the go or do not have access to a computer. The process is easy, just go to Live365 and click on their mobile players page and download an app that is appropriate for your phone, whether Android or iPhone. That's the first step to the process but occasionally you will need extra devices to help you listen to our station in a more comfortable fashion. Well, below I have a list and summary of the devices and methods you can utilize to help listen to Kaotic Radio. Enjoy!