TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick To Present NEW Book "From Geek To Guitar Hero" Via A Special Jam In New York City

Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT is one of the most well grounded guitarists in Heavy Music history. He is one of the founders of the legendary Thrash Metal band Testament and in 2002 he started a musical project called the Alex Skolnick Trio. He has also played in bands such as Ozzy Osbourne and has contributed his talent to many musical projects.

His latest venture is a book entitled 'From Geek To Guitar Hero' and in celebration of this release, Skolnick will be hosting a very special event this Thursday, January 17 in New York City.

Here is the book synopsis:

"Alex is an awkward, introverted child growing up in 1970s Berkeley, California – a confusing vortex of shifting values, rampant drug use and social confusion. Misunderstood by his family and taunted mercilessly by classmates, he suffers from a paralyzing lack of confidence and low self-esteem. His existence is made tolerable when he discovers a superhero-like Rock band, KISS, which inspires him to learn the guitar. While in high school, he auditions for Legacy – a group of hard partying, working class, twenty-something Metalheads from the East Bay suburbs. After recording his first album with the group at age eighteen, he defies his Ivy League parents’ rigid academic expectations by forgoing college and hitting the road with Metal bands including Slayer, Megadeth, White Zombie and Judas Priest. As his own band, now known as Testament, rises through the ranks of Thrash Metal, the world begins to take notice of the young guitar prodigy who, despite being fawned over by autograph-seeking Metalheads, guitar fanatics and adoring female fans, still feels the pain, awkwardness and ghosts of his past. Soon, a blooming interest in Jazz and literature reshapes his values and strengthens his musicianship, bringing further accolades from fans and media but causing resistance and tension from within his inner circle. These experiences cause a realization to unfold: that the scene in which he had first sought his freedom and self-identity is fraught with its own perilous limitations, while the education he’d so fiercely resisted from his family can be invaluable when sought on one’s own terms."

The first book-store where 'Geek to Guitar Hero' will be available is McNally Jackson, New York. http://mcnallyjackson.com/

“A surprisingly personal book about his evolution from pained adolescent to one of the most remarkable guitarists in hard rock history. Alex Skolnick holds nothing back in this excellent memoir that describes the passions, pleasures and pains of being a professional musician.”- Brad Tolinski, Editor-In-Chief Guitar World Magazine”

Very soon, TESTAMENT will be taking over North America with OVERKILL, FLOTSAM & JETSAM (on select dates), and 4ARM, for their first headlining tour since the release of their phenomenal chart success 'Dark Roots of Earth' (available now via Nuclear Blast Records). The trek promises to be one of the best Thrash Metal lineups of the year! More information HERE!

Related Links:
Geek To Guitar Hero
Official Site of Alex Skolnick
Official Site of The Alex Skolnick Trio
Official Site of Testament

SKATEBOARD MKTG's Munsey Ricci & FREYA's Karl Buechner Discuss CMJ Showcase & More!

On October 18th, Skateboard Marketing Ltd, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks teamed up and hosted a CMJ convention showcase at Webster Hall in New York City. The event featured a surprise acoustic set by Geoff Tate (ex-Queensrÿche) and performances by KILLCODE, FREYA and SLAM ONE DOWN.

Right after the event was done, we had the chance to chat with Munsey Ricci (Skateboard Marketing Ltd) and Karl Buechner (FREYA & EARTH CRISIS) about the 21st anniversary of Skateboard Marketing Ltd, the showcase itself, and music in general. We also discussed animal rights, straightedge life, the future of FREYA and of course, EARTH CRISIS. Without further due, here is out interview with Munsey and Karl. Enjoy!



Related links:
KILLCODE on ReverbNation
Freya on ReverbNation
Slam One Down on ReverbNation

Tickets Available For Skateboard Marketing's CMJ Showcase At Webster Hall (Presented In Association With ReverbNation & Horns Up Rocks) Featuring KILLCODE, FREYA & SLAM ONE DOWN!

In an unprecedented move, Skateboard Marketing Ltd, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks have teamed up for this year's CMJ Convention.

ReverbNation Headliner: KILLCODE (9:00 to 10:00 PM)
Skateboard Artist: FREYA (8:15 to 8:45 PM)
Opening Act: SLAM ONE DOWN (7:15 to 7:45 PM)

Tickets available HERE!

This years convention Showcase will be held on October 18th, at Webster Hall in New York. It will all be held in "The Marlin Room" starting with the private party and open bar at 6:00 PM. The first hour is always a guest list only event for radio, press, retail and music industry executives. Budweiser will have plenty of Bud in the room. Jägermeister will once again have the Jagerettes in the house handing out free merch. RSVP's have been sent out.

Where & When Mark The Date:

Thursday, October 18th, 2012
6:00 to 7:00 PM EST Private Party Open Bar RSVP only
Webster Hall in The Marlin Room
125 East 11th Street
New York, NY

NOTE: Ticket holders and CMJ Convention badges will gain admission after the private party. Doors for convention badges and ticket holders are at 7:00 PM. The artist who is chosen for the opening slot will get a 30 minute set starting at 7:15 PM. There will be a room full of music industry people, radio programmers and VIPs to see the bands.

RSVP HERE!

Related links:
KILLCODE on ReverbNation
Freya on ReverbNation
Slam One Down on ReverbNation

SLAM ONE DOWN To Bring The Metal Party To Skateboard Marketing's CMJ Showcase (Presented By ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks)!

Last week we announced that New York's SLAM ONE DOWN will be taking part in this year's Skateboard Marketing LTD, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks CMJ Showcase. The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday October 18th at Webster Hall in the "Marlin Room". Doors will open at 7:00 PM for CMJ Badges and ticket holders. SLAM ONE DOWN is slated to hit the stage at 7:15.

Guitarist JR Gurrieri commented on SLAM ONE DOWN being chosen to perform on at the showcase:

"We are very excited to be a part of CMJ this year. Just adding our name to the incredible list of bands that have taken part over the past 30+ years CMJ has been in existence is an accomplishment to us. We realize that this is an incredible opportunity and will no doubt be a great and rewarding experience. We would like to thank Munsey Ricci and everyone at Skateboard Marketing for inviting us, as well as Horns up Rocks & ReverbNation. We are looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and having the time of our lives....as usual."

ReverbNation Headliner: KILLCODE (9:00 to 10:00 PM)
Skateboard Artist: FREYA (8:15 to 8:45 PM)
Opening Act: SLAM ONE DOWN (7:15 to 7:45 PM)

RSVP HERE!

'Who Really Wants to Live Forever' Tracklisting:

1) The Acoustic Beer Run
2) What I've Done
3) Pour One Out
4) Music, Money and Girls
5) Cut Me Down (Psycho Party)
6) Last Man
7) The Payback
8) Hell Doesn't Want Me
9) Beer Run
10) Who Really Wants to Live Forever
11) Too Far Gone
12) About Me



Related links:
SlamOneDown.com 
Slam One Down on Facebook 
Slam One Down on Twitter

SKATEBOARD MARKETING Announce Talent For 2012 CMJ Convention Showcase!

It has been 8 weeks since the ReverbNation, Skateboard Marketing and Horns Up Rocks CMJ Convention Showcase contest began. There were over 1000 submissions for the opening slot
for this years Skateboard Marketing anniversary convention showcase. Now it's time to announce the Independent artist that will open this years showcase. ReverbNation has the headliner, Skateboard Marketing Ltd. has the second slot. All 3 have agreed on the opening act. This years line-up is as follows:

ReverbNation Headliner: KILLCODE (9:00 to 10:00 PM)
Skateboard Artist: FREYA (8:15 to 8:45 PM)
Opening Act: SLAM ONE DOWN (7:15 to 7:45 PM)

This years convention Showcase will be held on October 18th, at Webster Hall in New York. It will all be held in "The Marlin Room" starting with the private party and open bar at 6:00 PM. The first
hour is always a guest list only event for radio, press, retail and music industry executives. Budweiser will have plenty of Bud in the room. Jägermeister will once again have the Jagerettes in the house handing out free merch. RSVP's have been sent out.

Where & When:

Thursday, October 18th, 2012
6:00 to 7:00 PM EST Private Party Open Bar RSVP only
Webster Hall in The Marlin Room
125 East 11th Street
New York, NY

Tickets available HERE!

NOTE: Ticket holders and CMJ Convention badges will gain admission after the private party. Doors for convention badges and ticket holders are at 7:00 PM. The artist who is chosen for the opening slot will get a 30 minute set starting at 7:15 PM. There will be a room full of music industry people, radio programmers and VIPs to see the bands.

Past convention showcases were held at Don Hills & The Bowery Poetry Club. Some of the artists that have showcased include: Fear Factory, Warrior Soul, Brand New Sin, Beyond The Embrace, BTBAM, Misery, Sinai Beach and Texas Hippie Coalition.

RSVP here!

Related links:
Skateboard Marketing
Killcode
Slam One Down
Reverbnation
Horns Up Rocks

TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick Talks About 'The Dark Roots Of Earth', Touring Plans, Drummer Situation & More!

Alex Skolnick from TESTAMENT is one of the most well grounded guitarists in Heavy Music history. He is one of the founders of the legendary Thrash Metal band Testament and in 2002 he started a musical project called the Alex Skolnick Trio. He has also played in bands such as Ozzy Osbourne and has contributed his talent to many musical projects.

TESTAMENT's 'The Dark Roots of Earth', was produced, mixed and mastered once again by the world renowned Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE, ACCEPT, EXODUS). Special bonus tracks were recorded, mixed  and mastered by Juan Urteaga (CATTLE DECAPITATION, HEATHEN, VILE, SADUS) at his Trident Studios. The highly anticipated follow up to their 2008 release 'The Formation of Damnation' will be released on July 27, 2012 (Europe) and July 31, 2012 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records.

In anticipation of the release of TESTAMENT's NEW album 'The Dark Roots Of Earth', Skolnick has been busy spreading the word about the bands 10th studio album. We recently had the chance to chat with him at the "meet and greet" that was hosted in New York City. Here is what went down!

Many thanks to: TESTAMENT's Alex Skolnick, Nuclear Blast Records' Charles Elliot, Skateboard Marketing's Munsey Ricci, and Zulie Alvarez!



Video by: Zulie Alvarez (www.zuliephotographierocks.com/)

Related Links:
Official Site of Testament
Official Site of Alex Skolnick
Official Site of The Alex Skolnick Trio

Worldwide Contest Announced For Opening Slot At Skateboard Marketing Ltd's CMJ Convention Showcase - Details Available!

In an unprecedented move, Skateboard Marketing Ltd, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks have teamed up for this year's CMJ Convention. They have launched a world wide contest for the opening slot at this year's Skateboard Marketing Ltd Convention Showcase. This year's convention showcase will be held at the legendary Webster Hall (formerly The Ritz) in New York City on October 18th, 2012. The headliner has been confirmed but has not been announced yet.

Skateboard Marketing Ltd, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks.com will each have input on deciding who gets the opening slot - it's going to be a very democratic process. The goal is to find a NEW developing artist that has the potential to sell records and cause significant impact in the Heavy Music scene. Something unique or something with a killer sound. It doesn't matter as long as it's heavy. Metal is alive and well and it's going to stay that way! The chosen band will need to "get to New York on their own". Skateboard Marketing Ltd, ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks are not providing airfare or hotel accommodations.

Skateboard Marketing Ltd will celebrate their 21st Anniversary on August 12th, 2012. This marks another year of the company's success. They have led the way in Independent Metal radio promotion since their inception in 1991 and have worked with groundbreaking musical acts. Every year during the CMJ Convention in New York, Skateboard Marketing Ltd throws a private industry showcase. There is always an open bar sponsored by Budweiser. Jägermeister will once again have the Jagerettes in the house handing out free merch. The first hour is always a guest list only event for radio, press, retail and music industry executives.

Ticket holders and CMJ Convention badges will gain admission into the show after the private party. The artist who is chosen for the opening slot will get a 45 minute set starting at 7:15 PM. There will be a room full of music industry personnel to see what the band is all about.

Past convention showcases were held at Don Hills, The Bowery Poetry Club and Webster Hall. Some of the artists that have showcased include: Fear Factory, Warrior Soul, Brand New Sin, Beyond The Embrace, Between The Buried And Me, Misery, Sinai Beach and Texas Hippie Coalition.

The winning band will be chosen on September 14, 2012. Submit today and let the industry see what you're all about! Click here to submit your entry!


ReverbNation provides more than 2 million artists/bands, managers, labels, venues, festival/event/tour promoters and other music industry professionals with powerful marketing & business tools as well as offering high quality opportunities for artists in the form of licensing deals, lucrative brand sponsorship programs, and high-profile concert bookings.The company operates worldwide with customers on every continent. Over 30 million visitors come to www.ReverbNation.com every month.

Horns Up Rocks was established in February of 2010 with the mission of uniting the Heavy Music fans by celebrating their lifestyles through event promotions and high quality web content such as: artist interviews, news articles and reviews. Our mission is to promote Heavy Music worldwide by offering bands, fans, non-fans and people who want to learn about the different types of Heavy music, a one stop shop for all things Heavy! Join us
at www.hornsuprocks.com

METAL Industry Showcase Presented By Skateboard Marketing Ltd., ReverbNation and Horns Up Rocks - Submit Your Band Now!

ATTENTION ALL METAL BANDS: Think you can shred better than the rest? Here is your chance to show it off.

Every October, during the big Music Convention in New York City, Skateboard Marketing Ltd., holds a private Metal industry showcase. This year it will be held at the legendary Webster Hall (more details to follow). After the private event, the doors open to eager ticket holders and Music Convention badge holders that are ready to have their faces rocked off.

Skateboard Marketing Ltd. is teaming up with Horns Up Rocks and ReverbNation to find the perfect band to open this year's showcase and perform a 45 minute set. The chosen band will also receive featured placement on the ReverbNation, Skateboard Marketing Ltd., and Horns Up Rocks websites!

The winning band will be chosen on September 14, 2012. Submit today and let the industry see what you're all about! Click here to submit your entry!

Upcoming Horns Up Rocks events:

- "3 MeTal Birthdays, 5 Bands, 1 Pit" with DESOLATE, SLAM ONE DOWN, LIES BENEATH, BEYOND DISHONOR & JULIUS SEIZURE: Friday, June 15th at Fontanas Bar (New York City)

RSVP here

- MACHINAGE from Brazil with special guests: IKILLYA, WRENCH, GAS, DEATHALIZER, ADDICTED TO PAIN & JULIUS SEIZURE: Saturday, June 16th at Tattoo Shot Lounge (Home of Coney Island Ink) on Coney Island (Brooklyn NY)

RSVP here

- HEAD CRUSHER from Colombia with MACHINAGE (Brazil), IRATETION, EYES LIKE CYANIDE, RAZA ODIADA & ARKA: Sunday, June 17th at Arena Lounge (Queens, NY)

RSVP here

Italian Thrash Metallers MERENDINE Ink Deal With Deutschland's Metalville Records; NEW Album Coming Soon!

Italian thrashers "Merendine" have inked a deal with Germany's Metalville Records this week. They have titled the NEW album 'New World Disorder'. This will be the fourth full length release for the band. Merendine who are based in Northern Italy in the town of Padova, have a unique sound of hard Rock/Thrash which is reminiscent to the Bay Area Thrash Scene. But yet they have a strong European Metal feel. Having released 3 records prior to 'New World Disorder': 'Walk Across Fire' in 2003 (Legion Of Doom), 'RAW' (Mausoleum Records) produced by Jack Frost, and 'Rude Rebel Brotherhood' (Locomotive Music) produced by Chris Caffery (Savatage, TSO). 'New World Disorder' was produced by Luigi Stefanini in Italy in November & December of 2011. "We were looking for a different sound stated drummer Luca Cerardi. We had great success with Chris Caffery and Jack Frost. But the band was at a turning point. We wanted to do something different. I am very happy with the way the record came out."

Merendine which formed in 1995 as a five piece have etched their niche on the Metal scene in Italy. In 2010 with the departure of guitarist David Bisson, the band stood as a four piece creating a different element that transcended into a NEW sound and a NEW outlook. "You can't stop progression", stated Zanda Zandarin (Vocals). "We just became tighter and stronger as a four piece. We are a family, we made a strong album. That alone is a testament to what we can do together. I'm proud of it and nothing will change that", Guitarist Luca Sigers Securo stated. "This record is what we're proud of! Luigi outdid himself and made something brilliant," commented bassist Dario Bianchi. "Having endorsements with Vic-Firth, D'Adarrio, Evans and Planet Waves has also helped us", stated drummer Luca Cerardi. "Having people believe in you is a comforting feeling."

Merendine toured last winter as direct support for Doro Pesch in Europe. They had a 4 week run which brought them through Germany, Spain, France, The Czech Republic, Italy and Luxemburg. The band also toured with Krypteria and Doro prior in 2008. The band did off festival dates with Motorhead in 2009 as well. Fans in Europe and North America have embraced the band. Drawing inspiration is something that every band needs to develop. No one knew that better than Luigi Stefanini. Merendine signed a worldwide management deal with Skateboard Marketing Ltd. in New York in December of 2011. They are gearing up for a full Summer European tour after the release.

Audio will be posted on the bands official Facebook page and web site on June 1st.

Line Up:

- Luca Zandarin: Vocals

- Luca Securo: Guitar

- Dario Bianchi: Bass

- Luca Cerardi: Drums

Related links:
Merendine's Official Site
Meredine on Facebook