On The Road… with Coal Chamber And Fear Factory


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One of the more interesting bills this summer of tours in the US is the co-headline tour from Coal Chamber and Fear Factory. Both names recall a simpler time when pants were baggy, fishnet sleeves were cool on guys, and even venerable old groups were “getting jiggy wit it” to Nu-Metal. Coal Chamber of course started around the same time as Korn and Deftones in California, to spur the “Nu” tide and bring their gothy spin to the Ozzfest crowd (Sharon Osborne managed them for a spell too). Fear Factory of course is the pioneering industrial metal band who paved the way for many and also mixed in the style du-jour with their own back then. So it’s not that big a shock that in 2015 with one band already touring behind a comeback album (Rivals by CC dropped in the spring from Napalm) and another about to launch a new album, these bands would team-up like Marvel. Coal Chamber always puts on a fun show live and played a mix of hits and newer tracks. Led by fireplug Dez Fafara, they gave the fans what they wanted: nostalgia. Fear Factory, on the cusp of releasing Genexus (Nuclear Blast) this summer, kept it tight on old jams and one new one, ‘Soul Hacker’. Joining them for a few early dates was Devil You Know, who are working on a new album too. Rockers like Saint Ridley and Madlife (not pictured) are setting the table for this tour too, so get to the club early. Shot here on the first night of the tour at the Rialto Theater, in Tuscon AZ, Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography brings you all the action you missed as if you were there.

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

 

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

Coal Chamber, by Melina D Photography

Fear Factory, by Melina D Photography

Fear Factory, by Melina D Photography

Fear Factory, by Melina D Photography

Fear Factory, by Melina D Photography

Devil You Know, by Melina D. Photography

Devil You Know, by Melina D. Photography

Saint Ridley, by Melina D Photography

Saint Ridley, by Melina D Photography

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The Jeff Kollman Band: Live at The Baked Potato, Los Angeles CA


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Jeff Kollman and his band (Jesse Stern on Bass, Jeffrey Marshall on Guitar and guest singers Paul Vallis and Mark Renk) teamed up with drummer Danny Carey of Tool for a night to remember at The Baked Potato in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 18th 2015. An intimate, cozy little venue frequented by the artists, gave the audience the ability to truly have a special experience. The band was all smiles as drinks were passed around and bluesy, rock ‘n roll was played on into the night. You can catch Jeff Kollman on tour with Sebastian Bach right now with stops that include Barcelona, Madrid, and Tel Aviv. Be on the lookout for Danny Carey with Tool on Halloween at the Monster Mash Festival in Tempe, AZ. as well.

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Danny Carey with Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

Danny Carey with Jeff Kollman Band, by Melina D Photography

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Words and Photos by Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography


On The Road… with Steven Wilson


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Progressive music giant Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Storm Corrosion) released his new album Hand. Cannot. Erase. (Kscope) back in March, it was a further exploration of storytelling in his art, but on a grander scale. No stranger to putting down amazing concept albums, Wilson’s best recorded work feels like a book; it envelopes you and you cannot put it down. Touring the USA, Wilson’s performances are always a marvel of high musicianship and class. He has a first class touring band behind him as well consisting of Nick Beggs (bass), Adam Holzman (keyboard), Guthrie Govan (guitar), David Kilminster (guitar) and Craig Blundell (drums). Stopping off at the Mesa Arts Center in Arizona, the band played the new album in its entirety, as well as some Porcupine Tree cuts such as ‘Lazarus’ and ‘Sleep Together’. Closing out with the title track from The Raven That Refused To Sing, Wilson left the stage with the audience enthralled. Shot here by Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography, we get to peek into a window of what the performance felt like in person:

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

 

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

Steven Wilson, by Melina D Photography

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On The Road… with The Melvins and Le Butcherettes


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The Melvins are out on the road with another leg of their “Hold It In Tour”. Supporting their album Hold It In (Ipecac) from last fall, mainstays Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover are joined by JD Pinkus from Butthole Surfers. Not only did they play a set of songs from their collaborative album together, they played some choice classic Melvins material (‘Night Goat’, ‘Hag Me’, ‘The Bit’, ‘Anaconda’, ‘Sweet Willy Rollbar’), they also played some covers ranging from the Surfers to Pop-O-Pies. Joined by their label mates Le Butcherettes, who are fresh from their tour supporting Faith No More, it was a night of musical and mental twists and turns. Captured here by Melina Dellamargio of Melina D Photography at Club Congress in Tuscon, AZ The Melvins continue to surprise and delight after 30 plus years in the business.

 

The Melvins, by Melina D Photos

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

The Melvins, by Melina D Photography

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On The Road…with Chevelle


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Working harder than most new bands, Chevelle still has the hunger they had when they broke out of the suburbs of Chicago nearly 15 years ago. Touring constantly behind last year’s La Gárgola (Epic) album the band has been winning over new fans on their recent tour with The Used and Marmozets. The band does a great job mixing up their sets tour after tour, playing all the hits as well as deep cuts for the die hards too. This tour will lead into a slew of summer dates playing fests such as Pointfest in Maryland, The Loudwire Music Festival in Colorado, and X Fest in Pittsburgh, as well as more headline shows. Seen in this photo set from Melina D Photography at Sherman Theater in Stroudsberg PA, the band is killing it on stage for fans nightly.

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

Chevelle, by Melina D Photography

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On The Road… with Stone Temple Pilots


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Stone Temple Pilots are touring the US, playing theaters and large rooms to rabid audiences and many sell-out crowds. Still on the road supporting their EP High Rise (Playpen) from 2013, and prepping music for a new album to be released later this year, the band is playing a career-spanning set list with new front man Chester Bennington (Linkin Park). After rounding out this tour with festival dates such as WMMR B-Q in New Jersey and the Riverbend Festival in Tennessee, you can catch the band on tour next fall. Seen here in this photo set by Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography, the band brought the house down at their stop at the Theater of Living Arts In Philadelphia:

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

Stone Temple Pilots, by Melina D. Photography

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On The Road… with ZZ Top


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After an astounding 46 years as one of America’s premier rock bands, ZZ Top are still able to draw big crowds and thrill with their no nonsense bluesy rock. It’s the simplicity of the concept that has maintained the bands’ lasting charm. As their motto goes: “Same three guys, same three chords.” And it still works after all these years. Out on the road continuing to play behind the Live At Montreux DVD (Eagle Rock Records), ZZ Top are kicking as much ass as they ever have. At a recent tour stop at Arizona’s Talking Stick Resort, and playing a set of greatest hits, deep cuts, and covers (Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters), the band was in top form. Thanks to Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D. Photography for sharing this photo set with Ghost Cult.

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

ZZ Top, by Melina D. Photography

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On the Road… with Doro


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Celebrating over thirty-plus years as the “Queen of Metal”, Doro kicked off a headline tour of the US this week in Philadelphia at The Legendary Dobbs club. Playing a career-spanning set list nightly, every show with this legend packs in equal parts hit songs, anthemic crowd-pleasers, and the boss herself playing every second like it’s going to be her last. Opening the show were tourmates Archer, and regional bands such as Metalifier, Power Theory and others. Doro is out on the road supporting 2012’s excellent Raise Your Fist (Nuclear Blast) album, which recently saw a re-release as a 30 Years Anniversary Edition, complete with a bonus CD of covers of songs by Dio, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Kiss and more. Melina Dellamarggio of Melina D Photography was upfront in the pit, capturing the action for Ghost Cult.

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Doro, Photo by Melina Dellamarggio

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Doro, Photo by Melina Dellamarggio

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Doro, Photo by Melina Dellamarggio

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Doro, Photo by Melina Dellamarggio

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PHOTOS BY MELINA DELLAMARGGIO