This time we dare to venture back in time to check out Neurosis.

Neurosis
Enemy of the Sun
1993 re-issued 1999 Neurot Recordings

Grade: A

This disc contains some of the heaviest and darkest music ever recorded. Neurosis had and still has a gift for inspiring thought and anxiety in their listeners unlike any band I have ever seen or heard. Don’t expect to hear short radio friendly songs when embarking down the road with this doom and gloom granddaddy. No, instead expect some aural punishment and emotionally charged, epic masterpieces. I still remember seeing Neurosis play with the band Today is the Day in a little bar in Memphis, Tennessee over a decade ago and that night is still encased in my memory as one of the best live performances I have ever seen by a band period. (Today is the Day was amazing as well)

Enemy of the Sun, starts off with the track “Lost” which mesmerizes you and leads you into the next track “Raze the Stray” and by this point you have been succumbed to the powers imbedded into the music and you find yourself listening until the final track “Cleanse” has beaten you senseless. While the Neurosis style has often been imitated it has never been duplicated and with one listen you will know that these guys are the epitome of what doom sounds like. You might find yourself wondering, could Enemy of the Sun be the soundtrack to Armageddon? Like your music hard, heavy and unconventional? Buy this CD today!

Radiosoul
Radiosoul
2004 Unsigned

Grade: A

First and foremost Radiosoul features singer/songwriter and guitar master Pat Zelenka. When I say guitar master I am not kidding. Zelenka has a natural born ability to pour his soul into his work and that is very present on this release. You will often hear a ‘blues guitarist’ but it’s very rare to hear a great undiscovered blues influenced guitarist, and while Zelenka’s roots seem to be drenched in good old fashioned blues licks, he conveys sheer talent and variety when you hear him speak through his guitar. “Chelsea’s Blues”, “Blind Leading the Blind”, and “Clearer Through the Mirror” are all great examples of a man and his guitar telling listeners a memorable story. Get this CD before it sells out, because I’m not sure if any more will be pressed for release.

Pat Zelenka
LO FI Happiness
2006 Unsigned

Grade: A

This new release from Pat Zelenka is more of a collection of songs that he had recorded. I think his original plan was to get all of the songs on one recording and just leave it at that, but the popularity and interest in it has encouraged him to make it a full fledged release for the world to enjoy. I for one am glad that he did. This disc features an eclectic mix of styles and is sure to please music lovers and guitar enthusiasts alike. “Above the Skies” is an incredible song in where it starts as a nice little slow jam and turns into Zelenka wailing on the guitar ala Joe Satriani or Kerry King (if King could play with such knowledge and style). With the exception of “Funk In “A””, and “Platypus & Dolphin” this entire effort is written and performed solely by Pat, with the other two songs being recorded live in the studio with one of his former bands Sun King. LO FI Happiness is a little different from the Radiosoul CD, but both discs are an exceptional showcase of Pat Zelenka and his talent for songwriting and performing. I strongly encourage you to check this phenomenal artist out.

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the group?

A. (D) My name is Demetria; I take on vox chores and like to make lyrics with melody get it on.

(MC) My name is Monica and I'm the bassist for GWF.

(JD) My name is J.D. Shultz, I produced and co-wrote the GIRL WITHOUT FEAR record with the singer Demetria and pluck the six string in the band.

Q. How did you come up with and decide on the name Girl Without Fear?

A. (D) It popped into my head after a good meal at J.D.'s parents’ house. J.D. and his mom were instantly taken by the phrase. On a deeper level, all my anxieties and depression, like many of us trapped inside our mortal bodies, are based in fear. I want to strive to be without it, or more realistically to be afraid and jump anyway.

(JD) Demetria and I were at my mom's house and we were throwing out band names. Demetria came out with GIRL WITHOUT FEAR and my mom and I knew that was it. The word "power" came into my head when I heard the name.

Q. Here's the question you probably dread. Which song on "Mix Messages" would you say is your favorite?

A. (D) Well, I have two main sides to my music taste, all forms of rock and electronica/dance, so the songs "Sundown" and "Violet Crush" satisfy both. Sorry, I had to pick two!

(MC) That is tough. Lyric wise I have to say "Possibility." It's a song that hits personal for me. And it has such a positive message that I think most people can relate to. There is a part where Demetria sings "I get down. Just when I feel like giving up, I get up." I still get goose bumps every time she sings that. I find that very inspiring. And for me "Stretch" is the most fun to play, just because it has this funky middle-eastern inspired bass riff to it.

(JD) Well...Violet Crush, it rocks out. I love playing the guitar parts on that one. I am also into the blend of sounds and different genres that we worked into it. It's a pretty good representation of our vibe.

Q. What can we expect from Girl Without fear in 2006?

A. (D) We're going to take over the planet, then the galaxy, then the universe. We've recruited the upper echelon of rocket scientists and physicists to help make this possible. (laughs) Seriously, you can expect us to keep playing and making music, anywhere and everywhere possible.

(MC) World domination

(JD) Busting out of a lot of speakers around the globe.

Q. Who would you say is one of your biggest influences both musically and non-musical? A. (D) Bjork. Not only is her quirky voice from another planet and her music incredibly unique yet still touching millions of people, but from watching her life choices and reading interviews, I can see her uncompromising integrity and fearlessness when she approaches life and her own creative expression. Her family environment was very liberal, and mine quite the opposite...so there is a lot of baggage I've needed to unload from the air balloon and her music and lyrics have often inspired me to.

(MC) Musically I've always and will forever be inspired by Paul McCartney and Duran Duran bassist John Taylor. That will never change. I've been listening to their music since I was a child and I still find something intriguing and unique in everything they come up with. Musically they are who I aspire to be. Non-musically my biggest influence is my husband. He is the only person that has supported me every step of the way. He is my best friend, my strength, my motivation, and the one person I can be honest and open with. He loves unconditionally. He is who I aspire to be as a person.

(JD) Musically, Parliament Funkadelic, Rick Ocasek, Jimmy Page, and Brian Wilson. Non-musically, my mom...who was a brilliant painter and my best friend. She past away last year and was one of the most spiritually advanced people I knew.

Q. What are you listing to these days in your car/home stereo?

A. (D) The Mars Volta's "Francis The Mute". I like to warm up my voice to their singer. His sound is like Freddy Mercury and Robert Plants vocal tones fluctuating all at once. Also The Shins, Royksopp, and Jester, which is J.D. singing his solo music.

(MC) In my car I listen to whatever is in my iPod. At home I've been listening to a lot of Hall and Oates because I find their harmonies absolutely brilliant. I'm also spinning Depeche Mode's "Playing The Angel," Franz Ferdinand's "You Could Have It So Much Better," and David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars" on a daily basis. I also find myself rekindling my love for Heart. I just bought their album "Dreamboat Annie" for the second time because I realized that I wore out the one copy I had.

(JD) The Cars Anthology and my rough mixes for new music I'm working on.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about Girl Without Fear?

A. (D) Well, we are launching a college radio campaign, mainly in California and the southwest. We're also putting together a street team through MySpace, so anyone wanting to join can look us up in the music section. Sing the songs, join the force.

(MC) I think this band proves that Indie music doesn't have to be Emo than thou, Pop music can be intelligent, and that having various music influences can blend to make a sound that is exciting and interesting.

(JD) I would like to say, this is not just a band. The name is a statement...not just for girls, but to anyone out there who is trying to be brave in their life. Also, women have become more and more empowered in the past decade and men more inclined to see feminine energy in themselves as something positive.

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. Jason Schrick / lead vox

Q. How did you come up with the name Six By Silver?
A. It's actually kind of funny. We had just finished our record w/ Malcolm Springer, and the name that we had was already spoken for (Fused). We came up with a few options, but with no luck, as they had been taken as well. Then one afternoon in the studio, guitar player Frank Pettis was on the website on some kind of military domain, and just started combining some words. Everyone liked the way it sounded, so we went with it. Hence, Six By Silver

Q. What are some of your plans for the group in 2006?
A. 2006 is going to be a big year for us, starting in mid February; we will start touring on the west coast and continue to tour throughout the year. Our first single will start spinning mid January across the country. The ultimate goal this year is to make a name for ourselves outside of St. Louis and create that nationwide buzz that every musical group hopes for.

Q. Who would you say has been one of your influences both musically and non-musical?
A. Personally, I would have to say my influences musically would have to be singers such as Scott Weiland (STP/Velvet Revolver), Brandon Boyd (Incubus) Jimmy Gnecco (Ours), and Johnny Cash. Another huge musical influence of mine is our producer Malcolm Springer. He took my ability and confidence to the next level and always believed in me.

Q. What are you listening to these days in your car/home stereo?
A. Currently I am listening to the new Johnny Cash's greatest hits record, Day of Fire, Queens of the Stone Age, Iron and Wine, and Shinedown

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about Six By Silver?
A. We are going to be recording two new songs that will be available early this year, so keep your eyes and ears open.

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