17 Noteworthy Albums of 2025
Among S.L.A.M.’s Core Values is a deep appreciation for great music – – especially for the musicians who are making it today. It’s one kind of life for me this music you hear.What follows is a list of 2025 album releases recommended by our Executive Director, Jack Mangan. This is not a Year’s Best countdown, just […]
D.R.E.A.M. 5 – This is How We Do It
Support Life And Music D.R.E.A.M. Data Research Education Awareness and Music V. This is How We Do It This D.R.E.A.M. Report made possible through a generous grant by the Arizona Eastern Star Foundation. For more information about the Arizona Eastern Star Foundation, please visithttps://www.azoes.org/az-oes-foundation.html ♫ The first four monthly D.R.E.A.M. reports focused on specific topics […]
S.L.A.M. at NAMM 2026
In the same way that Cons and ComicCons bring fandoms together, the NAMM Show unites the music world every January to celebrate the art and business of music. Community, connection, technology, sound, and wonder merge into one sprawl inside the Anaheim Convention Center. Wear comfortable shoes. This is the who’s who music event of the […]
Dobber Beverly and Cammie Beverly of Oceans of Slumber
It’s an honor to have Dobber and Cammie Beverly of Oceans of Slumber as Support Life And Music’s very first official artist testimonials. They’re a Houston, TX-based band whose music is heavy, deep, emotional, beautiful, dark, intelligent, intricate, challenging, soulful, and intensely original, self-described as “Southern Sonic Storytellers.” How many bands can say all that? Add off-the-charts […]
Biff Byford of Saxon
Testimonials Biff Byford just turned 74 at the start of 2025. He joined his first band in 1965, then became Saxon’s lead vocalist in 1975, and has been performing and pushing his voice to the limits ever since. He’s an icon of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. He spoke about musician longevity […]
Pat Ranieri of Hellwitch
Pat Ranieri founded Thrash/Death Metal pioneers, Hellwitch, in 1984, giving him over 40 years in the music life. He’s also your go-to for bootleg tapes (Are we going to get him into trouble for mentioning that??) He’s proven to be a wealth of experience, passionate fandom, and intense music. He spoke with Jack Mangan backstage […]
Brian Wilson – “I feel really grateful that I get to do what I do”
Brian Wilson is one of the most exciting young Heavy Metal drummers in the world, notably backstopping Yngwie Malmsteen, Night Demon, Hellwitch, and a number of other bands. I caught up with him backstage in 2022 and asked him what he’d tell his younger self about the music life. “I would tell my younger self […]
Bjorn Englen – There’s Not Only One Way to Make It
Bass virtuoso, Bjorn Englen, has played with the best of the best: Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Uli Jon Roth, Quiet Riot, and the amazing Dio Disciples. I spoke with him for a few minutes in 2025 on the Metal Hall of Fame gala red carpet and asked him to give some advice for young musicians. […]
dUg Pinnick of King’s X
King’s X are often cited as one of the most underappreciated bands of all time. I had the opportunity to chat with their iconic bassist and lead vocalist, dUg Pinnick, for the release of their 2022 album, “Three Sides of One.” He had this to say about the future of music: “I don’t know where […]
Bill Chinnock – Learning to Survive in the Modern Age
Asbury Park legend, Bill Chinnock (1947 – 2007), as remembered by his son, John Chinnock: “Since he was young, my father always wanted to be a musician. Even though he never reached any fame, through hard work and dedication, he was able to make a living for many years and have a long career. He […]