Reviews Of The Bands4Bands Compilation CD - "Diamonds In The Rough"

BandFest — a great place where Bay Area rockers congregate
Christina Troup - InsideBayArea.com

HOW DO YOU know when you're in the thick of the summer season?

Well, it's not so much the blistering heat or even the exorbitant gas prices as it is the influx of calls from Pete Schaaphok concerning the latest round of BandFest.

He's sort of like summer's version of the groundhog — when Schaaphok starts dialing those digits, it truly is time to break out the barbecue grill and party in the park.

And, of course, as his calls suggest, BandFest is just around the corner. The free summer concert, Aug. 12 in Union City, features a smorgasbord of acts ranging from acoustic songstress Tara Tinsely to the heavier sounds of Stone Vengeance and Potential Threat.

To his credit, his persistence and dedication to local music are what make the Mystic Rage drummer and Bands4Bands spokesman a formidable figure in Bay Area music. Since 1986, the 41-year-old has been plugging away at his rock'n' roll dreams with the Hayward-based band and helping out other musicians achieve theirs along the way.

"I'm really passionate about music. I try to flow it into other aspects of my life — I teach drums, I mentor young bands, I do everything around music," Schaaphok says.

Years of playing hole-in-the-wall clubs to venues as large as the Warfield led Schaaphok to starting the grassroots music coalition Bands4Bands. The organization meets the first Thursday of every month at the Englander in San Leandro and help bands out with networking, promoting, marketing and booking shows.

"Nowadays the local scene is pretty tired. I started Bands4Bands to raise it from the dead. Basically, Bands4Bands is for bands to come and learn the stuff we wish we had known early on," he says.

Bands4Bands annual concert is now in its seventh year and is essentially a time when Schaaphok and fellow Band4Banders rally together for a day's worth of free music for charity. This year, BandFest is raising money through a silent auction for Musicares, a program that helps musicians out financially when times are tough, and for Spike Cassidy of Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, who's currently battling cancer.

In addition to the tunes, the day also features a slew of family-friendly activities, such as air-guitar contests, a Kids Zone complete with jump house and face painters and even belly dancers.

BandFest begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Charles F. Kennedy Community Park Amphitheater, Advertisement 1333 Decoto Road, Union City. For the complete concert lineup, call (510) or visit www.bands4bands.com.


Jagermeister & Bands4Bands Rock the Bay!
John Southworth - RaginPit.com - 7/06

Having an active roll in the scene and frequenting many venues, you begin to expect how a local show is going to go before you get there. Just by knowing who is on the bill, where the place is located and the almighty factor of what day it’s going to be held on. You can get a pretty good picture on how well it’s going to turn out. I looked forward to see this show at this venue that our bay area crew has already become very fond, but it was a new venue for me. They had me convinced I needed to come check it out. I was told Roosters Roadhouse isn’t the biggest in venues for local bands in the bay but had kind of a dark biker bar feel to it (which makes in my opinion a great formula for brewing up some fierce metal shows). Tonight’s event was happening on a Sunday and I knew it had some great bands (including special guest “The Almighty Hemlock" touring through all the way from Las Vegas Nevada. I wasn’t sure how big of a turn out they were going to get, but didn’t care if it was 5 people (they always rock the house).

When I arrived I was instantly greeted by Mr. Steve “Diesel” Henderson (one most of you know here on Raginpit Magazine for his contributions of reviews and interviews). His band Potential Threat was slated to be participants in bringing the house down that night. I also finally got a chance to meet the guy’s in Mystic Rage (one especially, Pete Schaaphok, founder of Bands4Bands who were presenting this show in collaboration with Jägermeister). Roosters Roadhouse has a kind of a dark feel to it when you walk inside and it grows darker as you make your way past the grill towards the bar and on to the stage. The stage is small but fits perfect with the show room and is done up pretty well with large par can stage lights and absolutely a decent P.A. system.

*Mental note: Bring enough for one of those wicked Philly cheese steaks next time.

Kicking the show into gear, Silence Chair, (out of Hayward, CA) cranked it up on stage. This was my first time catching these guys. I looked around the room and with a guess, I’d say there were about 20 or so people in attendance at that point. It didn’t feel too out of the norm for what I come to expect for Sunday shows I had been to around Nor Cal. My first impression of these guys was they were thrash in nature, but it was hard to get into. They had mic problems which had became a serious distraction. After the first two (I think), the sound guy replaced their singers (and he was the bands drummer) headset with a boom mic. I had a hard time also digging into their sound. I felt the guitar was brittle and too high on the midrange which hurt my ears and left the drums and bass sounding disjointed. I thought they were playing some serious riffs that stood out but they need to work on warming up the guitars and bass to fit the music. Their set was an old school thrash mixed with an attempt at a “Saliva” feel. Throughout their set though I saw a few people up front semi banging their heads to Silence Chairs music and dancing. I can’t say I’m the authority on their songs, but some looked to really like what was going on. I think they need more time to bring their sound together, then they might have something going towards Bay Area rock and mainstream.

Even with Age of Aggression being around a few years this was my first chance to see what they were going to bring to the table. I checked out their mp3’s before I came down to Alameda, CA, so I could get an idea of what to expect. I was a little puzzled when they took the stage. I watched Vinny (their new bassist), man the camera instead of wielding his bass guitar. I soon learned he would be jumping in by the second song (but I didn’t have a chance to really think about that much). The rest of the band set things on fire with their explosive aggro thrash sound. Two vocalists manned the mic, Will Johnson & Roger Guill, and step out with a dual style that was nothing that I expected. One takes up a syncopated and hostile roll while the other lays out intense airy growls and screams that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. That was just the tip of the iceberg; there were also riffs and double bass beats that work in a powerful rip-your-head-off way that had the room moving instantly. Age of Aggression has gone through a series of line up changes but the new additions, Vincent Salinas (Bass), Jason Schabert (Drums), and just announced, Damon Jones Gambrell (Guitars) finally completes the chemistry this band needs to shake up the Bay Area.

I was off taking a break out back in their “Social Area” having a smoke when the walls started thrumming once more with the sounds of SF’s one & only thrashers Potential Threat. They cranked things back up to a full on upbeat commotion. Potential Threat is a band who has been around since the late 80’s (even going through a serious evolution in members), and yet still have held true to their roots and proves (if anyone ever questioned it) that old school straight up thrash metal is still just as fierce and heavy as anything being produced today. Kenny Noble (on drums) is uncompromising in style using the standard 4/4 timing you would more or less know for Thrash Metal His brother, Mike Noble (lead guitars and vocals), keeps things stripped down from flash and flare and hits you in the face with riffs that catch you from song to song. He compliments this with his early James Hetfield style vocals that PT fans are hooked on (and tend to sing along). Their show really comes alive with Steve Henderson (on bass) and reinforces there beefy tone while never sitting still on stage. If you’re the type that likes your metal and drinks straight up then this is the band to mosh to.

Over the last 12 years Nor Cal metal heads have come to know Mystic Rage (whom also hails from Hayward, CA), who have honed their own style. They mix it up with straight up early thrash styles and straight up heavy metal riffage. They weren’t even done with song one before I was immediately transported back to such bands as Kreator, Metal Church and Death Angel (ala late 80’s) but more trimmed down and mid tempo. Angel Alvarez (vocals) switches up from aggressive and harsh growls to melodic verses and exemplifies traditional thrash metal. Peter Schaaphok (on drums) keeps everything together with mostly ½ beats on the snare while pushing things more mid tempo on the double bass. Gluing this all together is John Martin (on bass); he deals out bass riffs which really don’t deviate much from standard root notes played by Angel who also doubles as their guitar player besides his vocal duties. The crowd was nearing a very decent size and it was great looking around to see so many out supporting tonight’s show (and how everyone was having a pretty damn good time besides myself). Mystic Rage made the perfect fit with this line up. At only the third band in I started writing this one up in my head a decent success still considering was only a Sunday night. If you like your metal raw and without preservatives, then these guys will deliver just what your looking for.

Ok boys and girls, if you haven’t witnessed a Hemlock (Jäger band #2) performance then you’re so missing out! I mean there should be a law that every serious underground dwelling metal head has to attend one of their infectious events as a right of passage. I’m not even sure how many times I have witnessed people walking around, ranting, “Hemlock Fucking Rules!!!” over the last 12 years. If you’re fat and want to loose some weight, follow these guys too a few shows and they will work that ass right of you! No one sits still. Chad (vocals and on bass) has a great command of his audience and never fails on keeping the commotion centered in front of the stage. Brandon and Cory make up a furious and lethal team of crunch guitars that keeps you unconsciously head banging, you just can't help it. Everything seems to perfectly fit together with Hemlock. Marcus’s drumming style yet minimally exhibited, is the ultimate mosh machine ready to pound the sweat out of you. It’s not often that I have come across a local show where a headliner is from out of town and is able to be the peak of any show they play. If you haven’t gotten the picture yet, then you need to go hit their site and watch their concert calendar for the next time they are going through your area. Then get off your ass and go see them or you’re just not metal! m/

Rooster Road House isn’t the biggest of metal clubs in the bay area, but is for sure in my top ten of fun places to check out shows now. The atmosphere is awesome, people are friendly and they even take care to have an active DJ/ announcer between sets to keep the momentum going. They've got a good sounding P.A. system, killer grub and the drinks aren’t going to rob your wallet. Can you ask for anything more? Um, well maybe more people. I think with the right bands and on a Friday you can write this on down as a potential hot spot for metal in the bay. It was a pleasure catching Hemlock visiting through and tonight’s line up of bay area support was perfectly executed. “Hats off” to Bands4Bands and Jägermeister for a job well done.


Bands4Bands Fifth Annual Awards Program
Loria Kutch - Powerslave.com - 3/11/05

Rooster's Roadhouse, Alameda -- At the Bands4Bands Fifth Annual Awards Program, with 40 bands involved (different musical genres included) awards in 12 categories, performances by five local bands, plus special guest appearances, there was something to be had for all. Rooster’s Mystic Rage at the Bands4Bands Fifth Annual Awards Program Mystic Rage at the Bands4Bands Fifth Annual Awards Program Roadhouse was decked out with tables, flower centerpieces, candles, and white tablecloths. Pete Schaaphok and the Bands4Bands organization put in a lot of effort to make this the type of award show that other award shows aspire to. In the often unappreciated and misunderstood local music scene, it was great to see members of this Bay Area support group (offering a sense of community through meetings, showcases, advice, shows, barbeques and the like) encourage one another.

Dave Carbon hosted the festivities solo this year, as his co-host from years past (Angel Alvarez of Mystic Rage) sat out from most of the presenter duties. Along with a string of obscenities, celebrity impersonations, current events satire and more details than average folks would need to know about his roommate’s toilet troubles, Dave kept the program entertaining while moving along at a fast clip. Between the awards, the freebies, the acceptance speeches and Dave’s commentary, a variety of musicians played short sets to keep the show moving along.

Darcy Menard (nominated for Best Guitarist, Best Vocalist and Best Song) played his nominated song “My Rent,” an electro-acoustic-slide ditty about spending the rent money on whiskey. Darcy is originally from Ontario, but has relocated to the Bay Area to spread his blend of folk/blues rock throughout the United States.

Mystic Rage got some members of crowd up from their tables and onto the floor with their heavy sound. Nominated for Best Website, Best Backing Vocalist, Best Drummer, Best Bassist, Best Vocalist, Best CD, Best Song and Best Band, they played a couple songs (including their nominated song “Dead Horse”) to showcase just why they were nominated in so many categories. Vocalist/Guitarist Angel managed to sing melodies and also roar out to emphasize the points. Bassist John lent deep bass rhythms, vocal harmonies when appropriate and shouts when necessary. Pete, founder of Mystic Rage as well as Bands4Bands, kept the varied tempo as their songs zigzagged between intermediate to fast-paced metal. Their next show is Sunday, March 20 at The Stork Club in Oakland.

The Bad Penny Boys, last year’s Best New Band, brought a variety of rock influences to their set. The four-piece out of San Francisco were nominated for Best Baking Vocals, Best Song and Best CD. They played their nominated song “Angela,” which was a bluesy, wah-pedal-induced, harmonizing type of rock that got some folks dancing in the aisles. Their next gig will be Big Daddy Jay's Send Off Show at The Stork Club on Sunday, April 3 in Oakland.

Kaos offered up their thrash-influenced set, with double pedal speed and with two guitarists trading off lead at times. Kaos kicked much ass with the start/stop timing of a band that have played together for years. The five-piece from Hayward were nominated for Best Website, Best Guitarist, Best Vocalist, Best Song and Best Band. Stacey and Keven tied for Best Guitarist with Mike of Potential Threat. The guys have lots of Kaos thrash it up at Rooster's Kaos thrash it up at Rooster's things in the works, but they don’t want to spill the beans before they happen. They plan to play at the Powerslave Re-launch Anniversary Show.

Color Black was a musical experience. With their progressive nature and bass-driven style, Dave’s thumb slapping and popping were the perfect compliment to the electric and acoustic guitarists. Nominated for Best Backing Vocals, Best Bassist, Best Guitarist, Best Vocals, Best Song and Best Band, Color Black proved that they could touch everyone differently as they weaved through “You Bring Me Down.” Their new recording facility is in progress and a CD, is under development.

When the award festivities had finished, down went the lights and up came the fog. Speak of the Devil, a Black Sabbath tribute band, took the stage. Not your typical tribute band, they do Ozzy as he is today: Adidas sweat pants, mumbling, wandering the stage aimlessly and adorably charismatic as ever. The few remaining fans were tearing it up at the front of the stage as the guys covered such classics as “Snowblind,” “Fairies Wear Boots” and “War Pigs.” They also did “The Wizard,” since it was their guitar player’s last gig with the band and he likes to watch “Ozzy” struggle with the harmonica parts.

Overall, it was a great night for everyone involved. Even bands that weren’t nominated or performing were on hand as presenters or just to hang out. There was an unfortunate moment when somebody threw a rock through Rooster’s window, sending glass all over the host and everyone else near the window. A small scuffle ensued in the parking lot, and there was a slight pause for the police report. Other than that, it was a positive experience. Pete of Mystic Rage said, “It is nice to see bands working together, having fun together, celebrating together with no competition. All styles of music and many different people...that is what I envisioned when I started this organization seven years ago...to cut the crap/competition and just work and help each other with information, friendship, and support.”

Award winners follow… Best New Band: Hands of Time
Best Website: Relic
Best Backing Vocals: Lauren – Glass Treehouse
Bands4Bands Achievement: Phil Johnson
Best Drummer: Steve – Numbfaced
Best Bassist: Dave – Color Black
Best Guitarist: (tie) Stacey and Keven – Kaos; Mike – Potential Threat
Best Vocalist: Blair Hansen
Best Song: Kaos – “Kaos Among Us”
Best CD: Kaos – “Kaos Among Us”
Best 209 Band and Beyond: Darque Carnival (from Reno, NV)
Best Band – Mystic Rage

All In This Together: Bands4Bands Supports Local Acts
Jim Harrington - ANG Newspapers - 3/12/04

     It was the late 1980's and the local music scene was in trouble.  Clubs were closing and music lvoers were staying home to watch MTV. It was a bad time to start a rock band, but that didn't stop drummer Pete Schaaphok from forming Mystic Rage.  "The scene started dying right as we started going out and playing shows," the San Lorenzo resident says.  "Our timing was really bad."  Mystic Rage had to work hard to book gigs, get noticed and build a fan base.  The Hayward-based rock act eventually won a sizeable local following and got opening slots at the Fillmore and Warfield.  But it was a major effort and one that he hopes other bands don't have to go through.
     To make things easier on his fellow musicians, Schaaphok started Bands4Bands, a grassroots collaborative that provides a much-needed support network for local acts.  For the past sic years, Bands4Bands has helped to create a sense of community in a scene that has been sorely lacking cohesiveness.  the organization hosts monthly showcases for its members at various clubs throughout the Bay Area.  It also puts on weekly all-ages shows Sundays at The Englander in San Leandro.
     Bands4Bands will celebrate the Bay Area's improving music scene Saturday with its fourth annual awards show at the Englander.  Trophies will be handed out to bands in 11 categories, including best web page, best CD, best band, and best new band.  There will also be individual awards in such areas as best drummer and best guitarist.  The show will feature performances by most bands nominated for bes song. Music lovers will be treated to a variety of sounds because the nomineeds run the stylistic gamut.
     The lineup features the straight-ahed rock of San Jose's 6:am, the acoustic-based pop of Fremont's Bad Penny Boys, and the Rush-like progressive sounds of Hayward's Color Black.  Schaaphok's Mystic Rage will also perform, adding a touch of hook-friendly metal to the mix.  the only nominee that isn't performing is Killingsworth.  That San Francisco act will be playing instead at a previously scheduled gig in New Jersey.  Filling in for Killingsworth is Hemlock, a Las Vegas, act whose intense rock n' roll has generated a healthy buzz.
     It may seem odd that a Bay Area-based organization such as Bands4Bands is promoting a group from Las Vegas.  But it just illustrates how Bands4Bands' reach has extended during the years.  bands4Bands' roughly 40 members hail from as far away as San Diego and Reno.
     Membership is pretty simple.  the bands agree to support each other, which translates to attending monthly meetings and live showcases, regardless whether your band happens to be plaing.  Members are also asked to help spread the work about Bands4Bands functions via their web sites and by posting flyers.
     For their efforts, members get help with advertising, promoting, and booking shows.  they are also included in the monthly showcases and weekly all-ages concerts.  They are able to network withh other musicians dealing with teh same issues and share tricks of the trade.  Most important, members feel they are a part of the bigger picture.
     "(The local music scene) is very competitive," says Livermore's Eric Downey, a longtime local concert promoter who works with Bands4Bands.  "Because of that, bands are competing against each other for the same shows.  It's not a cooperative atmosphere."  Bands4Bands is striving to change that atmosphere.
     Schaaphok's own group has certainly benefited from the exposure generated in part by Bands4Bands.  Mystic Rage has won a faithful following that extends up and down the coast.  Career highlights include having the band's music played on local radio stations such as KSJO, signing significant endorsment deals with companies such as Jagermeister and nearly selling out a 2,000 copy run of their last CD, "Limited Edition."  But Mystic Rage's finest hours came when it landed the coveted opening slots for Saliva at the Fillmore and Slayer at the Warfield last year.  Schaaphok felt he was following the footsteps of legends who had played these venues before.  "You are thinking about Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and Bill Graham," he says.  "It was really cool to play those places.  I gre up going to shows at those places.  We got a little nervous (during the Warfield show) but once we got into the first song, it was OK.  During the set I looked over and I saw Kerry King and Tom Araya (from Slayer) watching us play.  I was like 'Oh, man, it doesn't get any better than this.'"
     That's a feeling that Schaaphok hopes other bands will experience.