Author: supportlifeandmusic_ofjqpe

  • Brian Wilson – “I feel really grateful that I get to do what I do”

    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 to just keep at it. Touring and being a part of the music industry is not for everybody. It’s not comfortable, there’s a lot of luxuries that you have to forego, unfortunately, to be a part of it, but I knew when I was younger, the only thing I wanted to do was be in a band and play music, so that’s all I aspired to do, my whole life, and I found a lot of roadblocks along the way. What you really have to do, is you have to find like-minded people, people who share the same goal as you, people who share the same dreams as you, and if you don’t have that, then it might not work out. . . Or you can go for it as much as you want, but you gotta find the right people. And that’s what I struggled with for a long time, but I kinda think that if you are that relentless about it, just keep going and just do it. If you keep trying, you’re gonna fail, and you’re gonna fail again, but eventually you might make it. Not everybody, unfortunately, makes it to the top, but I personally feel really grateful that I get to do what I do. I’m very grateful to be out here with Hellwitch playing alongside Wraith, Exciter, and Midnight
    If I were to talk to myself when I was 13 and I was like, ‘You’re gonna be on tour with Exciter when you’re older,’ I’d say, ‘You’re fucking crazy.’

    “Also, an important thing to remember is that not everyone’s going to like it. And you should expect that when you put yourself out there, you should be doing it for yourself at the end of the day. If it’s good, people will recognize it, but it’s impossible to please everybody, you gotta please yourself first.”

  • Bjorn Englen – There’s Not Only One Way to Make It

    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. This is what he had to say:


    “A lot of it comes to down to: people forget about the old school of doing things, playing in a band, playing together. . . Start putting posters up. Nobody does that anymore. They will be seen, but nobody does it. It goes back to basics. There’s not only one way to make it, keep that in mind. Think outside the box. Be creative when it comes promotion and all that stuff.”

  • dUg Pinnick of King’s X

    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 it’s going, but I know that. . . kids are pulling in information from everywhere they can that touches them, moves them, and wants them to create it, and there’s crazy stuff coming out. And I encourage it. My only problem is: learn to write a great song. Then you win.”

    https://www.kingsxrocks.com

  • Biff Byford of Saxon

    Biff Byford of Saxon

    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 in a 2022 Metal Asylum interview with Jack Mangan.
    https://www.saxon747.com/

    Jack Mangan: You know, I won’t name any names, but there are some of these guys who sounded great 30 years ago, but don’t sound so great today. I saw Saxon on the Priest tour; you guys sounded as fresh and invigorating as ever, so my hat is off to you for that.

    Biff Byford: Yeah, my voice is good at the moment. I was singing today, actually, going through a few things . . . I usually set up a microphone and play some songs through the PA and sing along to them. That’s how I keep my voice. You know, it’s a muscle, the voice, so you have to exercise it a lot. It’s a shame I don’t exercise everything else the same, but you have to keep the main muscle that forges your career. But yeah, generally just keep using it, and don’t abuse it with too much hard liquor and drugs, really. I don’t really do any of that. I suppose my worst would be a bit of red wine now and again and sometimes a rum or rum cocktail or something if we’re out partying. But generally, I’m not sort of puking into the toilet bowl drunk. Much. (laughs)

    Image from Saxon’s official website. Credit sought.
  • Pat Ranieri of Hellwitch

    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 at a 2024 gig.
    https://hellwitch.com/

    Pat Ranieri: If I could go back in the time machine to my old self: “Do less bong hits and write more song.” (laughs) That would have probably been the best thing I could have done, because I wasn’t very aggressive with composing music, just was aggressive with playing and practicing and whatever. I’m motivated now more than ever to write, I think, than I ever have been. I see now that’s a big part of it, because the more stuff you have, the greater your chances of success – – and not even success, just getting your sound out and sharing your ideas with the world, and hopefully more people like it and you get noticed – – and lives are enriched from your creativity.

  • Dobber Beverly and Cammie Beverly of Oceans of Slumber

    Dobber Beverly and Cammie Beverly of Oceans of Slumber

    https://www.oceansofslumber.com

    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 musicianship and one of the best voices in the world, and you have something truly special. What follows is an interview excerpt from summer 2024, when I spoke with Dobber and Cammie about their latest album, “Where Gods Fear to Speak.”

    Jack Mangan: I want to tell a quick story. The first time I met you guys, you had just finished a trip across the California desert in the middle of summer in a bus where the A/C had broken, and you guys and Insomnium were just suffering. So the Rock n’ Roll/music life is hard. You guys are veterans. What would you tell young artists, or if you could go back in time to young Dobber and young Cammie, what advice would you give? 

    Dobber Beverly: Don’t. (laughs)

    Cammie Beverly: I wouldn’t change anything and I wouldn’t not do it. For me, I have a very unique experience. Everything I’ve done is intertwined with loving him (Dobber), and so I can’t speak to separating the two from an impactful relationship that I have, so I’m a little bit more embedded than other people (laughs). It’s a part of our dynamic, it’s a part of our relationship. I’ve never been in another band that did anything to this caliber that didn’t involve him. So obviously it works for us, and it makes it very special and it makes it less painful and less stressful. But it’s hard. Prepare yourself for anything and know that your biggest fight is gonna be with yourself. There’s no predictions, there’s no knowing where this goes. Technology is going to ruin everyone’s lives.  

    Dobber Beverly: I would tell myself to get over thinking you’re going to change how things work. Going into the thing, I thought I was gonna find a way to revolutionize something or bring an element into a world that would benefit and extend what’s possible. You know, I thought that it was gonna be impactful in that kinda way. Once you get in a room with everybody, you kinda realize that there’s nothing you can do to make the status quo change. 

    ~

  • Help! from the John Lennon Tour Bus

    Help! from the John Lennon Tour Bus

    I’d love to turn you on to one of the great treasures of the NAMM Show. If you venture to the far reaches of the Anaheim Convention Center’s lowest level, you’ll discover the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. It’s a technological marvel, a shining, chrome-plated, professional-quality recording studio on wheels. The spacious interior is decked out with front and rear studios, two sound booths, an electronic drum kit, a synth,  laptops for the engineers, and all the onboard gear and tech you’d expect to find at Abbey Road. Everything is donated, but that does not mean you’re getting your uncle’s warped old acoustic guitar. Everything we saw in the bus at NAMM appeared to be tip-top.  

    We looked around inside and spoke with Creative Technology Director, Jeff Sobel, who talked us through a bit of the mission and the history of the bus. 

    Begun in 1998, the bus is a nonprofit mission to make professional recording opportunities available for kid musicians across the U.S., through outreach to schools and community organizations. The qualified techs onboard not only guide the kids through the process of laying down tracks, they also provide practical lessons about the work required to record music, dispelling the myths of the “one-take masterpieces.” Yoko Ono “supports this project 100 percent,” and has blessed the bus with the use of her late husband’s name (you know. . . John Lennon. . . the Beatle. . . ). 

    The inside does not feel cramped at all, but it’s definitely geared more for smaller ensembles than something like a marching band or orchestra. The most musicians you could reasonably fit inside at once would be less than ten. The Dolby Atmos area in front is designed for audio/video production while the rear is intended for multi-track recording – – so you have options. 

    Color me impressed. I not only applaud the John Lennon tour bus for their noble mission, but also for their high-tech, high-end operation. This thing is no glass onion. Everything about the bus and its organization is handled with care and expertise. Contact your local schools, Boys And Girls Clubs, community groups, etc., get musically-inclined kids a ticket to ride the John Lennon Tour Bus. 

  • The Mission

    The Mission

    My mission changed the world.

    Support Life And Music has a multi-faceted strategy to improve the quality of life for today’s working musicians. Like any organization, we have lots of daydreams, ideas, wishes, and far-future plans for “someday.” As S.L.A.M. continues to grow, we will expand and diversify our services. What follows is a list of our attainable short-term plans for the early days of the organization. Some of these services will be available from day 1, others are intended to come online in the near future. 

    Guidance from the pros. Through S.L.A.M., industry superstars and professionals will share stories, wisdom, advice, and insights on navigating the pitfalls and struggles of the music life, with no holds barred, no topic off-limits, with a focus on: finances, family, friendships, friends, music industry red flags, and so on. S.L.A.M. will publish these stories and anecdotes through: 

    • Blogposts
    • Articles
    • Podcast episodes 
    • Videos
    • Live Q&A. 
    • Moderated Livestreams and AMA-style events will be scheduled with reputable industry professionals to respond to questions in realtime. 

    Altruist recognition. Support Life And Music will acknowledge and celebrate the individuals whose actions benefit the lives of working artists, whether through S.L.A.M., their own, or other avenues. Support Life And Music will recognize the top altruists at the end of each calendar year. 

    Musicians’ Network. Support Life And Music will establish a musicians’ network, available 24/7, where musicians in need can reach out to the community and get assistance in a timely fashion, whether they’re in need of mechanical help for their broken down tour bus, a friendly ear to listen to frustrations, answers to questions about confusing legal wordings, etc. etc. This would conduct a community message and support center, similar to what Stack Overflow (stackoverflow.com) provides for software users and developers. 

    Musicians’ Help Line. Industry professionals and veterans – – musicians, executives, management, etc. – – and/or Support Life And Music staff will respond directly to specific questions or requests for assistance, in as timely a manner as possible. 

    • Response time will be dependent upon resources. The intention is for this service to eventually be able to respond immediately.
    • If any person or persons contacts S.L.A.M. with questions or comments that require professional help, then connections to the appropriate professional partners will be made as quickly as possible, whether there is a mental health crisis, a financial question, or anything else. (Untrained personnel will not attempt to resolve crisis situations. These scenarios will immediately be turned over to partners with applicable training.)

    Awareness Initiatives for the general public. As part of the Backstage Pass  program, Support Life And Music will utilize the same methods as Guidance from the pros to help dispel some of the commonly-held public beliefs and misconceptions about the music lifestyle. We will try to get to this as soon as we’re done counting the giant stacks of money bags in the backs of our limousines. Spreading awareness, empathy, and understanding is critical to build the infrastructure to protect and assist struggling artists.
    This information will be provided using data, as well as testimonials and stories from industry professionals. S.L.A.M. will publish these stories and anecdotes through: 

    Research. Support Life And Music will conduct studies to provide relevant data on the financial and mental health hardships of working musicians and their effects. This data will be published via 

    • Blogposts
    • Articles
    • Podcast episodes 
    • Videos
  • The Message. 

    The Message. 

    Gimme shelter, water, food, air, love, and music.

    These are life’s essentials.

     We need music to help us deal, help us feel, help us move, help us remember, and sometimes just help us get through. Whether it’s the tedious wait, the long drive, the big moment, or the awkward social moment, music will always set the score. It doesn’t always have to be great, it just needs to be the right sound at the right moment. 

    For music, we need musicians. Obviously. . .

    But don’t believe the hype. The music life is hard.  

    Support Life And Music draws from music industry veterans and experts – – from the spotlights to the offices to the pits – – to provide information, education, services, mentorship, resources, networking, and community to aid working musicians in the pursuits of financial independence, stability, and happiness for themselves and their loved ones through music. 

    As we grow, we will expand our programs and influence, but we’re launching with the following initiatives:

    Backstage Pass. Educating the general population about the musical life, changing cultural perceptions about  musicians’ daily lives. People often associate music stardom with glamour and riches, but this isn’t reality for 99% of 21st-Century musicians. 

    Musician’s Survival Guide. Helping musicians of all levels to navigate the endless perils, pitfalls, challenges, obstacles, and dangers inherent in the music industry and culture. 

    Both of the above services will initially be provided online via:

    • Videos (Prerecorded, livestream)
    • Articles (blogposts, news, interviews)
    • Podcast episodes

    Who will be dispensing this stuff?
    That’s the best part. S.L.A.M. output will feature the wisdom, expertise, and stories of the best music minds of yesterday and today, from household names to underground heroes. 

    Who can benefit from S.L.A.M.? 

    The music world has hundreds of different vital roles, but in the beginning, S.L.A.M. will focus on the ones who are making and performing the music. That includes all genres, even the terrible ones (kidding!). We’ll discuss eligibility requirements in a future post, but let’s just state that the personal preferences and tastes of the S.L.A.M. board will not be a factor. The only automatic disqualifications will be:

    • people associated with known hate groups
    • creators who rely primarily on AI-type technologies for their output. (We realize there’s a gray area on the latter.)

    What S.L.A.M. is *not* about:

    • Enabling/empowering music industry predators. 
    • Enabling/empowering/excusing toxic or self-destructive behaviors.
    • Money for nothing. 

    The plan will get more ambitious as we grow. So stay tuned. We’re going to accomplish great things and change the world.