ION INDIE MAGAZINE February 2016, Volume 21 | Page 103

or mature enough.
When I first stumbled across the opportunity to be a contributing journalist for ION INDIE MAGAZINE, I
wanted to give it a shot for many reasons, but not all of those reasons were pure-of-heart. Initially, I saw
it as a means to help my band in the process--which it has. But, rather quickly it became much more than
that. When I started my project a little over 5 years ago, I made the decision to go all the way and to
saturate my life in music and see what happens. I love writing for my editor KIKI (who is my Fairy Rock
Mother in every aspect of the phrase), and I enjoy the process. Writing an article is very much like
songwriting. At some point, it became clear that I could help bands that I dig and maybe get me a little
positive music karma in the end. I am granted the freedom to choose the bands that I cover. I only cover
bands I enjoy and that excite me. Once Around has INSPIRED me to cover them because basically, they
ARE basis of what Rock ‘n’ Roll is...in the flesh.
I was a Rocker in a small town with long hair. I know the “looks”. These guys are as authentic as it gets. I
never once got a feeling that one aspect of them wasn't pure. Sure, Rockers look like Rockers when that's
your life. Some are real, some are posers. These guys are the former, for sure. Once Around is the real
deal, old-school gear, tone, style music. Of course I was liking B-Boz’s booking choice. While the band
and their crew did their change-over after their set, I started talking with their manager, MICHAEL. The
subject of recording came up, and I found out they were shopping studios. I was already an instant fan
and I wanted to help out and offer the best advice I had. That advice was to record at Cherry Pit Studios
because I have zero doubt that they will have licensing success with the high caliber of their songs. Long
story short: I recently dropped by the Cherry Pit Studios to take care of some licensing paper work, band
business (AND because Eric had a tower-stack of checks for his bands--again--cha-ching!), when he told
me that Once Around was just in the studio. He played me the song and I was instantly impressed. The
first thing I thought was, “This will be licensed for sure.” The second thing was, “I know who I'm writing
about this month.”
The more I find out about Once Around, the more I am assured that Rock ‘n’ Roll will be just fine. And the
more I discover, the more I am impressed with their musical maturity. When I talked with the band in a
conference call, all of my gut feelings about the band were confirmed. I was again impressed and
reassured of my gut instincts and, at times, blown away at what they said. Now, none of these guys have
reach the age of 20, and somehow they see things that veteran old Rockers still refuse to see. I talked
with all of the band: Sebastian Sikk (vocals), WRATH (guitars), BAM (bass), CHASE (drums) and Michael
(manager). Right away, I liked what I heard, what they said; how they said it. And with every discussion
we had, I was more of a fan. I had my opinion reinforced that this band is as authentic of a real American
Rock band as you could get. It was very easy to tell that these are good kids with good heads on their
shoulders, an old school work ethic, a realistic view of the band-world, and--I can’t say this enough—they
had insight and wisdom way beyond their years. They were where I tried to be for 20 years--before I took
the bull by the horns and made it happen.
I also found out they just signed a 22 date slots on a huge summer tour. The non-disclosure clause
prevents them from saying when and where, but it’s a done deal. I was both happy for them and jealous,
yet again, for and of them. Hell, that's one of my main goals, but a few goals down the road. They will do
well, I know for sure. Most of the bands I cover I feel in my heart, have what it takes, so I remind them