Rocky Kramer

Home , Glen Sobel, Progressive metal, Rocky, Yngwie Malmsteen

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A Viking Rocker Emerges!

Hailing from the Scandinavian Peninsula country of Norway, Rocky Kramer is truly a modern day Viking, poised to take no prisoners as he conquers the hearts, minds and souls of rockers around the world! Armed with a guitar, this graduate of Metal 101 constitutes a triple threat as a composer, vocalist and formidable musician.

Born in the 1990's to musician parents, few could have known that Rocky would inherit his parents' passion for music, ultimately transforming into Norway's ambassador of rock. While some homes have a piano, Rocky's home had two – one for the upstairs and another for the downstairs. Although Rocky's father was a first violinist for the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, his mother was an accomplished pianist in her own right. At the age of four, young Rocky began exploring this massive instrument. Rocky recalls "I was fascinated when I discovered I could play a melody!" Filled with musical curiosity, the four year old began banging out rudimentary melodies that foreshadowed the composer he would become.

At the age of five, tragedy struck when Rocky's mother succumbed to cancer, leaving Rocky, his older brother and their father to fend for themselves. Rocky laments that "my father immediately took on the responsibility of raising two unruly boys by himself." Shortly after his wife's passing, the professional violinist was attempting to teach Rocky's brother how to play the violin. As the older sibling unsuccessfully attempted to follow his father's instruction, young Rocky volunteered to give it a go. To his father's astonishment, five year old Rocky demonstrated incredible skill as he traversed the smallest stringed instrument, with its horsehair bow. Little did Rocky know that his adept performance would one day lead to conflict and turmoil, haunting him for years, while developing him into one of the most prolific composers and profound guitarists to hit the rock scene in decades.

With a budding virtuoso on his hands, Rocky's father encouraged violin lessons and even supplemented those lessons with private tutoring from the master himself. On one hand Rocky knew he was lucky to have such an accomplished violinist teaching him to master his instrument – but – there was one problem. Rocky yearned to play more

ALLIED ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. x ALLIED ARTISTS MUSIC GROUP 655 N. Central Ave x 17th Floor x Glendale x California x 91203 455 Park Ave x 9th Floor x New York x New York x 10022 L.A. Tel: 626.330.0600 x N.Y. Tel: 646.350.0009 x Fax: 626.961.0411 Website: www.alliedartists.com x Email: [email protected] ROCKY KRAMER - Biography ______

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contemporary instruments, such as the drums and guitar. To a virtuoso violinist, such tools of the rock world were simply blasphemous. For years the prodigal son played violin by day and rocked out at night on friends' guitars and drums. Requests for such trite instruments for birthdays and Christmas were met with a resounding "NO!" Soon the ember became a burning desire. Being an ardent fan of Ace Frehley, Rocky Saved his allowance, birthday offerings and all other earnings, eventually buying his first guitar – "a Les Paul Double Cut knock-off," recalls Rocky. It didn't take long before Rocky discovered he was "a Fender® man;" a religion validated by his other lifelong influence, Yngwie Malmsteen – himself a Fender® worshipper. When asked what made the guitar standout, Rocky remembers falling "in love with the guitar because of its freedom; the sounds [he] could make with an electric guitar just weren't possible given the inherent limitations of a violin." Although he is also an accomplished pianist, the eighty-eights just seemed "too traditional" for his rocker tastes. But there was one other instrument that caught Rocky's eye – the drums. Unsurprisingly, Rocky managed to find drum sets at school and rehearsal halls to quench his thirst for percussion, ultimately becoming an incredibly agile drummer. The deadlock between drums and guitar was finally broken when Rocky assembled his first band. It seems there was someone else amongst his friends who could play drums, while Rocky was the only one capable of manhandling an axe. Rocky's instrument of choice was then settled.

Although guitar became Rocky's weapon of choice, the clash between father and son over that choice intensified. But it was too late, the admiration Rocky felt for guitar was inescapable as the fire burned deeper with every passing day. To his credit, Rocky's father finally capitulated to his son's mania, embracing the overall love for music over his own desire to see a son follow in his footsteps. Throughout a couple of years, Rocky put together a number of bands, including Svidd Rock, Psycho Soldiers, Black Magic, Dark Symphony and finally Armed Science. By the age of 16, Rocky's bands had become legendary amongst local audiences, even racking up top honors with Armed Science at the UKM Regional Music Competition, just short of the national championship.

Having begun writing songs on the family piano at age four, Rocky literally wrote his first album at the age of 13, his second album followed a year later, with yet a third album emerging a year after that. At the age of 17 Rocky completed his fourth album. Amazingly, each are concept albums that speak to the maelstrom that often challenge youth during their formative years, as experienced by this adroit and poignant raconteur.

By the time Rocky reached high school, he and his many bands had become well known throughout Trondheim, with recognition coming in from around the country. Feeling a level of dedication that transcended that of his fellow band members, Rocky

ROCKY KRAMER - Biography ______

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decided to focus on developing his skills as a singer / songwriter, making a number of appearances as a solo artist. Picking up a keyboard and learning to record his own music enabled Rocky to begin creating music demos for his four completed albums. With the strong background in classical music imparted on him by his father, Rocky began combining the genres of music to create his own unique sound. What emerged might be properly classified as metal symphonies for the rock enthusiast! After spending a year in university studying film, Rocky left for the United States to augment his already impressive English language skills. Although Norwegian is his native language, Rocky felt from a very early age that he could best convey music in the English language. Consequently, he now speaks English and Norwegian interchangeably.

While attending school in the United States, Rocky caught the attention of the Allied Artists Music Group, who soon inked a deal with this inimitable musician. The late Stephan Bauer, then President of Allied Artists Music Group (Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones) commented that "Rocky is the essence of modern metal, mixed with a tenacity that makes for rock legends" adding that "those of us at Allied Artists are proud to have him on the label and look forward to introducing him to today's audiences who will find his music invigorating and his message captivating." Rocky's debut album, "FIRESTORM" was released by Allied Artists Music Group in 2019, to immediate chart success, reaching #1 on the Global Digital Radio Tracking chart, producing physical and online sales and streaming victory, as well as racking up awards nominations,

Rocky has been voted Best New Male Rock Musician by the editors of Rock Over America Magazine and is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences ("The Grammys").

Rocky proudly plays and endorses Fender® Guitars, ENGL Amplifiers, ClearTone Strings,® Jim Dunlop® Jazz III Guitar Picks & Cry Baby® Wah Wah, Spiral Electric FX Pedals, Fractal Audio Systems, AXE-FX III and DigiTech® / DOD Effects Pedals. Indeed, Rocky only endorses products he truly enjoys playing.

Visit Rocky on the web at RockyKramer.com.

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Contact: Jerry Sifuentes, Office of Public Relations at (626) 330-0600 x8150 from Los Angeles, (646) 350-0009 x8150 from New York or via Email at: [email protected].

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Alejandro Mercado Precision thrashing from one unique drummer!

Unless he was practicing his rudiments in the womb, Alejandro Mercado's mother and father could not have imagined that their youngest son was destined to become one of rock's premier drummers. Although born and raised on the tough streets of Chicago, Alejandro's thirst for rhythm may well be genetic, given his Latin heritage. Thanks to an early introduction to drumming by an aunt who performed with a marching band, Alejandro's thirst for percussion became an obsession by his sixth birthday. Fortunately, supportive parents encouraged their son's passion for percussion, and official lessons from Greg Kulma and renowned Chicago native Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny Group) ensued. By the time Alejandro entered middle school, he had combined an interest in martial arts and gymnastics with his devotion to drumming, becoming a sought after drummer for many local bands, such as cover group "A Snapshot In Time," metal/shred contingent "Slay Asylum," party rockers "Snowblind" and experimental/progressive bevy "Sot-W." Despite being the "go-to" drummer in Chicago, Alejandro yearned for more of a challenge by the time he graduated high school.

Hearing a voice in his head say "go west young man," Alejandro set his sights high, auditioning for and being accepted by the highly acclaimed Musician's Institute, in sunny California. As a student in M.I.'s accredited two-year degree program, Alejandro excelled beyond anyone's expectations. Despite lackluster high school grades, Alejandro proudly proclaims that he "got the best grades of his life" at M.I. Then again, with teachers like Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper; Six: A.M.) and Jeff Bowders (George Lynch; Paul Gilbert), he was rapidly being welcomed into the world of professional recording artists.

In September of 2012, Alejandro auditioned for the Rocky Kramer Band. In addition to Rocky and several label executives, present for the audition was music industry alum

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Kim Richards (Pink Floyd; Queen; Renegade; Andy Gibb) who is producing Rocky's upcoming "Firestorm" album. Richards says of Alejandro "I could see he was a great guy with a great smile and great personality, but I didn't expect him to literally manhandle those drums the way he did. Alejandro is reminiscent of Bonzo himself, but there's such humility there that I rarely see in this business." Having worked with the likes of Nick Mason, Roger Taylor and Luis Cardenas, Richards went on to say "I knew he was the one from the moment he began moving air!"

Alejandro is a student of 70's and 80's music, holding Journey as his all-time favorite band, and counting Dean Castronovo, Steve Smith and Paul Wertico amongst his influences. Alejandro is a singer and songwriter as well, and when not keeping the beat for the Rocky Kramer Band, he actively performs with Street Beat and Rhythm Monks, and endorses KickPort and Drum Tacs. Alejandro appears in the upcoming Paul Gervasi feature film, Cherri Future, aptly cast as the drummer in a rock band that struggles through adversity, ultimately realizing their dreams.

Visit Alejandro and The Rocky Kramer Band on the web at RockyKramer.com.

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Contact: Jerry Sifuentes, Office of Public Relations at (626) 330-0600 x8150 from Los Angeles, (646) 350-0009 x8150 from New York or via Email at: [email protected].

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Michael Dwyer One boundless bass player!

If you see a tall biker with a bass guitar strapped on his back, it just may be Michael Dwyer on his way to a gig. The Green Bay, Wisconsin native traversed the convoluted world of rock and metal by way of the classics, Sesame Street and The Beatles. In Michael's own words, Paul McCartney and Sesame Street caught his attention at an early age, because "the chords are more pronounced" in their music. Growing up the son of a clarinet playing mother and a father with a thirst for drums, it was no surprise that he soon developed a keen interest in music. By the age of six, Michael began tickling the ivories, adding the trumpet to his arsenal by the time he was thirteen. Despite the diverse methods of making music at Michael's disposal, he eventually adopted bass guitar as the instrument he chose to give a voice. About the same time, he discovered bands like Metallica, developing a writing style that combines his classical training with heavy metal. Michael joined Lucid Entendre, a punk rock band by the time he was fourteen. Performances at his church, battles of the bands and his high school were quite different than the recitals he had grown accustomed to. Leary of Michael's musical direction, his parents nevertheless remained supportive, allowing him to hone his craft, becoming one of the most dynamic bass players to emerge in decades.

Following high school, Michael attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where he received his associates in music recording by the age of twenty. Although Michael possessed the skills to begin a career in music recording, he yearned to be on the other side of the microphone. Indeed, he wanted to attend the prestigious Musician's Institute in Los Angeles. He certainly had the skills to apply, but a school of that stature commanded a high tuition, prompting Michael to save his money for the next year and a half. Following a successful audition, Michael became a student at M.I. The school was so impressed with his playing, they actually hired him to play for their

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drum and guitar classes. Following graduation, Michael was tapped to teach the intro to bass class at M.I.

In 2013, Michael auditioned for The Rocky Kramer Band, and was immediately selected amongst a multitude of other applicants. Music industry alum Kim Richards (Pink Floyd; Queen; Renegade; Andy Gibb) who is producing the upcoming Rocky Kramer album "Firestorm," comments that "Rocky's music finds its genesis in classics, and having the right bass player is essential. Michael's musical instinct is perfect; always mixing melody with dynamics and never allowing the song to lose foundation. On bass he's a monster with incredible control of his instrument, yet he's unassuming, humble and gracious in person – a real pleasure to work with!"

In addition to his duties as bass player and backup vocalist for The Rocky Kramer Band, Michael continues to teach at M.I. Michael counts amongst his musical influences Bach and bass players Cliff Burton, Roger Waters and Chris Squire. His hobbies include golf and of course – motorcycles. Michael proudly uses and endorses D'Addario, Planet Waves.

Visit Michael and The Rocky Kramer Band on the web at RockyKramer.com.

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Contact: Jerry Sifuentes, Office of Public Relations at (626) 330-0600 x8150 from Los Angeles, (646) 350-0009 x8150 from New York or via Email at: [email protected].

ALLIED ARTISTS MUSIC GROUP An Allied Artists Int'l Company

OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Matt Grossman One Prodigious Piano Player!

An unmistakable musical inclination caught the attention of Matt Grossman's parents at the early age of three. Mom and Dad – music lovers themselves – ignited the spark by placing a violin in their young son's arms. Although the future music maven seemed to crave the sounds of the instrument, he instinctively gravitated toward the family piano. Perhaps it was genetics flowing from Matt's gifted piano playing grandfather or simply the first signs of a keyboard prodigy. Either way, three-year-old Matt took to classical piano lessons the way most youngsters savor cookies and ice cream!

Although born in Phoenix, Arizona, the family moved to Colorado when Matt was just five. The move didn't deter the child's musical drive for one moment. Indeed, as soon as movers could place the piano in their new home, Matt's lessons resumed. By the age of sixteen, the piano wunderkind began to apply his classical background to more contemporary music. Perhaps going to what some might deem an extreme, Matt joined a punk band, where he employed his formidable skills to an unlikely pastiche of music revelry. While many parents might have viewed the choice with furrowed brow, Matt's parents encouraged him to honestly express his musical prowess wherever it took him. While punk was exhilarating for the ever-burgeoning musical connoisseur, he developed an appreciation for rock, where he began combining his classical training with the sounds of the day. What emerged was a personal challenge, touching on progressive rock, while celebrating a confluence of sounds that require perfect timing and a solid understanding of music theory. Perhaps the yearning for knowledge prompted Matt to broaden his horizons, learning guitar, bass guitar and working to hone impressive lead vocal skills. Unwavering, Matt's parents where always there supporting him without fail. During his high school years, Matt performed in multiple concert and jazz bands, ultimately forming an original pop-rock band that released two albums, for which he co- wrote, sang lead and back-up vocals, as well as playing bass.

After high school, Matt carefully selected Portland State University (PSU) as a result of their acclaimed classical music program, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. While at PSU, Matt studied under master teachers Lisa Marsh, Harold

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Gray and Paul Roberts, among others; with emphasis on 19th Century and early 20th Century repertoire. Indeed, during his time at PSU, Matt won the Oregon State Young Artist Award, bestowed on him by the Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) and placed third in a prestigious concerto competition.

With a degree in hand, Matt put his skills to work in Portland’s musical theater community, as both a pit orchestra musician and eventually Music Director of multiple offerings by Pixie Dust Productions, Triangle Productions, Lakewood Theater, Oregon Children’s Theater, and several others – finishing runs of approximately 30 different musicals. In addition to his duties as a Music Director, Matt collaborated as a classical musician with Columbia Symphony Orchestra and performed as a freelance accompanist. Although in demand, Matt never for a moment stopped writing and producing original compositions, along with his electronic music. Having stayed in Oregon longer than originally planned, Matt began looking for a graduate school to pursue even higher education. His choices were limitless, but Boston not only offered incredible opportunities for education, but his brother lived there, making a transition relatively seamless.

Matt arrived in Boston, as planned. However, a classically trained, progressive rock player, with a bold vocal and interchangeable instrumental skills, was well sought after in the home of Aerosmith, Boston & Godsmack. Shortly after his arrival, Matt joined a staple of Boston's music community, Hot Mess, performing literally hundreds of shows over just a few years. Eventually, Matt decided to focus on writing, producing and collaborating at a high level – a professional level – with session musicians of his caliber. Such ambition required a move to Los Angeles; arguably the capitol of the music business.

Accordingly, Matt moved to Los Angeles in 2018, and shortly thereafter joined The Rocky Kramer Band, where he offers up his formidable skills as a premier keyboardist and vocalist. This dynamic musician is a driving force behind the concept album approach Rocky brings to the world of progressive metal; a sound you must experience to believe. Catch Matt in concert as he and his bandmates tour the world performing Rocky's recently released debut album, Firestorm!

Visit Matt and The Rocky Kramer Band on the web at RockyKramer.com.

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Contact: Jerry Sifuentes, Office of Public Relations at (626) 330-0600 x8150 from Los Angeles, (646) 350-0009 x8150 from New York or via Email at: [email protected].

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reach ‘Another State Of Grace’ Their new album is a ‘Revelation’ 9 couple of great albums if we album." For the future 'Firestorm' which runs in at have the possibility to work Badhoven plan more gigs, around an hour long and it is on together." Badhoven more fun, more Rock'n'Roll. his debut album. Rocky produced 'All The World’s A "The line-up of the band is Kramer are: Fake' together with Reinhard fantastic so we should play Brunner at ATS-Records in so much shows as we can. Molln, Austria. "We have It is so important to get been producing together musical experience on, since 1996. It's quite a long before and behind the stage. time, isn't it? Well, we started We should grow with new recordings of eleven songs options every second of this with the basic tracks (drums, life is giving to us. We also bass and ground guitars) in should dare to walk new June 2018. Then the ways. To step further is the keyboards and a part of the motto. In the end it is a Rocky Kramer - guitars, lead lead guitars in July. We progress for every part of our vocals; Alejandro Mercado - finished the recordings with lives. Then we want to drums, vocals; Michael some lead guitars and all the produce our next video in Dwyer - bass, vocals; Matt lead and backing vocals in autumn of this year. We are Grossman - keyboards, September 2019. For the making plans about this vocals. It’s almost lunchtime plan was to bring out this project in the upcoming on a typical California day. It' album in May 2019 the songs weeks. And about further sunny, no clouds and eighty were mixed and mastered in recordings there are different degrees Fahrenheit, which is spring 2019," he explains to possibilities. As Reinhard about twenty-six degrees me. Brunner found out there is Celsius. "It is expected to unpublished Badhoven reach ninety-six degrees material at ATS-Records we (thirty-five C) in a few hours. I could and should release in don’t remember exactly the the future. And of course the last time it rained here, focus should be to think probably a month or two about our next album with ago," singer and guitarist new songs. I'm extremely Rocky Kramer tells me. curious about our next Kramer comes from a meetings. And I'm sure we musical family, and his dad is will find the right way for our a violinist. "He retired a few "Meanwhile we made two common Badhoven future. years ago, after being a first recording sessions for the But as everyone knows you violinist in the Trondheim 'ParkinSong Duets' project in can make plans as much as Symphony Orchestra for over January and February 2019. you can for life will always forty years. My mom, who It is a non-profit album lead you to a different shore. passed away when I was five, including Austrian artists So we are open for was a piano teacher and singing songs with everything what future wants choir singer. I started playing Parkinson's Diseased to do with us," concludes Kurt violin shortly after my mom singers. The old songs 'How , bringing an end to our passed away, guitar a bit Will It Be' and 'Break All conversation. The album is later, and I started writing Chains' from our very first out now on CD, and you will music not long after that. I album named 'Black Rose' also find the album on quit playing violin at about (1996) were recorded again iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, fifteen to focus on the guitar at ATS Records studio youTube, Amazon and similar and rock and roll. I was in a together with Gerald portals. Check Badhoven out lot of bands as a teenager, Ganglbauer the producer of at www.badhoven.com / and even though I only this project. He presented this https://www.facebook.com/ba wanted to be a lead guitarist, 'ParkinSong Duets' album at dhoven I always ended up being the the Parkinson World singer, because no one else Congress in Kyoto, Japan in wanted to sing," he explains May 2019. In March 2019 we ROCKY KRAMER, is an to me. Kramer always wrote decided to make our version impressive progressive the music for the bands that of these two songs to release glam/neo- he played in, and the music them as bonus tracks on our classical/symphonic rock solo was more classic rock, like new album. At that time we artist from Los Angeles. He Kiss and AC/DC. "The band did also the video of the title has a new fourteen track that made the biggest impact track to promote the new album out now called was Armed Science, and we

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wore make-up on stage, like at Musician’s Institute, making my dreams come true a teenage-KISS. In addition recommended Michael and becoming a rock star in to writing classic rock songs, I Dwyer, who was teaching America, depression, apathy, would write more there. He auditioned and got loneliness and my love and progressive, symphonic the job. Michael is from passion for music. I was music on my computer. I kept Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is originally planning on most of that type of music an excellent bass player with releasing my first album first, secret until I moved to the a friendly, mellow personality. but I thought Firestorm was a United States, but that was It was hard to find the right better introduction to Rocky the music that made me want keyboard player, but we Kramer. A better introduction, to move to Los Angeles. ended up with an Australian not a better album. It’s like When I did move, I came fellow named Jon Dunmore Star Wars. George Lucas across guitar player Mike with a wicked sense of introduced the world to Darth Pinera, who introduced me to humour, who recorded the Vader first, not Anakin Kim Richards, CEO of Allied album with us. With a full Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker Artists International, parent of band, we started rehearsing is far more interesting, when Allied Artists Film & Music the songs. The band added you know that he becomes Groups. This led to Stephan their personal touches to the Darth Vader. ‘Firestorm’ is Bauer of Allied Artists Music songs, so it matured quite a not exactly a 'sequel,' but it is Group signing me, and Kim bit before we entered the the continuation of my mental producing the album. Kim is studio," he explains to me. process as a human being. essentially responsible for me Kramer actively started Humans evolve, as does the being in this crazy world of working on ‘Firestorm’ when mind, and therefore the music. For someone who he was sixteen. "I had written music." never wears hats, he sure little parts before that, wears a lot of them, when it including the intros to ‘Can comes to me," he adds. You Feel It’ and ‘Attitude’. By Kramer wrote an incredible the age of fifteen, I had amount of songs as a already written three albums. teenager, and he is very I initially decided to not write excited to release my first another album until I had a album worldwide, which is recording contract, but my called ‘Firestorm’ through brain happens to be a Allied Artists Music Group. songwriting machine. Most of the songs were written on my What’s unique about blue Fender Stratocaster. If I 'Firestorm' is the writing came up with something cool, process. The first three I would record it with my MP3 albums were written mostly player (no, I did not keep on Kramer's computer, where those recordings, he was actively, consciously unfortunately.) As soon as I writing the music, several had about twenty, thirty hours every night. ‘Firestorm’ ideas, I would listen to all of was more subconscious, less them and see which ones thinking, just Kramer could work together and improvising on the guitar, not repeat the process," he actively trying to write a song. expresses. "Then, I would "The ideas would just appear write everything down on my out of nowhere. ‘Firestorm’ is "Mike Pinera introduced me computer, using Guitar Pro, also more retrospective and to Kim Richards, who listened so that I could hear every personal than the first three, to the whole album and instrument. These were which are more fictional and wanted to produce it. The first essentially demos, without experimental. I tend to write thing we did after I got signed vocals. When the music was albums more than songs, so was to find a band. We done, I wrote the lyrics, and all of my albums have some started out with drummers, recorded demos at home in sort of a unified theme," he and out of all of the Norway, before moving to the tells me. "The first three drummers who auditioned, United States. ‘Firestorm’ is albums were more inspired Alejandro Mercado from arguably the most personal by Yngwie Malmsteen than Chicago was the perfect album I’ve ever written, and this one, because when I was match. A powerful drummer touches on many of my writing those albums, I was with a great sense of humour. concerns as a sixteen-year- completely obsessed with Alejandro Mercado, a student old boy in Norway, including him, and wrote several

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instrumental guitar songs. Metallica, both The Black interested in retro games, ‘Firestorm’ doesn’t really Album and St. Anger were and there’s a few retro games have much of that influence, big influences, thanks to the I enjoy as well, Lunar Lander other than ‘Invocation.’ documentaries for each for example. I also love sit- ‘Firestorm’ was originally very album. Even though coms, so I'm a fan of and poor on guitar solos, because ‘Firestorm’ doesn’t watch Netflix and Hulu; I’m I was watching the necessarily sound like those currently watching Brooklyn documentary of Metallica albums, the mentality that 99. I also exercise a lot, and recording the St. Anger Metallica had when making try to stay healthy. I enjoy my album at the time of writing it, them did have an effect. ‘Sick occasional glass of wine, but which famously did not and Tired’ started out as a I don’t do drugs," he points feature many guitar solos. tribute to Pink Floyd, but out. Rocky wanted to create Can you imagine ‘Rock Star’ developed into its own thing, the artist that he always without those guitar solos? the Entr’actes were inspired wanted to see. "Without When Kim Richards got by ‘The Wall ‘and ‘Dark Side sounding arrogant, you want involved with producing, he of the Moon’. ‘Attitude’ was to be your own biggest fan. wanted more guitar solos inspired by Norwegian black What kind of music do I want because “it’s hard to market a metal and ‘The Outsider’ was to hear, what kind of stage guitar hero who never plays a inspired by Supertramp’s show do I want to see, what guitar solo!” He also wanted ‘Fool’s Overture’." Even kind of image do I think is me to create a track that was though Kramer spends most cool? I have tremendous just a guitar solo. I played of his day, focusing on music amounts of respect for the around with a few ideas, and in one way or another, when people that I was influenced ended up with ‘Invocation.’ he needs a break, he tend to by, but I don’t want to be The solo was a little too switch focus to video games. them. I want to be me. I naked by itself, so I added "I wasn’t all that interested in learned from them, both what the cathedral pipe organ, video games as a child. I to do, and what not to do," he which created a sound I never had a video game says with spirit. "As a hadn’t heard before. That console growing up. We did songwriter, I always try to also led to the introduction by have a computer, but I was write the songs I never heard the rock n' roll priest." very causal about video but wanted to hear. When Kramer's biggest musical games. I got my first console your goal is not to be the next inspirations for ‘Firestorm’ at age 19, trading an electric Michael Jackson, The and his other solo albums are guitar for an Xbox 360. I Beatles or Pink Floyd, it definitely Pink Floyd, Queen, started out playing the racing opens up a world of Yngwie Malmsteen, AC/DC, game Forza Motorsport 3 and possibilities. The day that all KISS, Helloween, Metallica Guitar Hero/Rock Band, but of my music is released, and and Dream Theater. "Coming became hooked on first- someone has to pinpoint from a classical background, I person shooters when my what kind of genre my music love combining the sounds of brother came home one day is, or what kind of artists are classical music with rock and with ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’. similar to me, there will be so roll. The first bands I ever Since then I’ve upgraded to many different answers, heard playing rock with a both an Xbox One X and a because when I write, there’s classical influence was Ozzy PS4, and I play a variety of no template, no rules. It’s all Osbourne with Randy games. about what gets me excited." Rhoads, Deep Purple with ‘Firestorm’ has many Ritchie Blackmore and highlights, and being a Queen with Brian May," he concept album, listening to it enthuses. "My life changed from start to finish is one hell when I heard Yngwie of an experience. "When you Malmsteen for the first time, hear the end of ‘Black and and it wasn’t just his Brown’, hopefully you say incredible guitar playing, it “Holy shit! What was that?!” was the epic music, double It’s like being taken on a kick drum, harpsichords and journey. Some of my choirs. He’s an excellent Everyone in the band seems favourite tracks on the album songwriter. Even though I to have some interest in include ‘Rock Star’, ‘Alcohol’ was already writing rock video games. Michael is also and ‘Can You Feel It’, but it’s music inspired by classical a fan of Call of Duty, hard to pick a song I don’t music, hearing Yngwie took it particularly Black Ops 4, a like. They’re like children to to another level. ‘Firestorm’ game we even play together. me. I enjoy the twists and was in many ways inspired by Alejandro and Matt are more turns on ‘The Firestorm

MUSIC IS OUT THERE 17 FREE WITH FIREWORKS #88

Symphony’, and I will and wasn’t open to the public said, this is only the probably never write a song until just before we were beginning," concludes Rocky, like ‘Go To Hell’ ever again, getting ready to record. We bringing an end to our but who knows," he says. were rehearsing with my conversation. ‘Firestorm' is Kramer's band just got back band next door at Amp now available on CD and from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rehearsal, and one day, Kim limited Vinyl, and you can Rally in South Dakota. "We and I walked by the studio, also purchase it digitally played three nights there for the door was open, Kim through all major music a whole bunch of bikers. We asked the person inside if the services. also just performed at the studio was still there, and it Check Rocky Kramer out at Firestorm Release Party here was," he explains to me. "We www.rockykramer.com in Los Angeles, which was took a tour of the studio the first performance with our shortly after, and began new keyboard player, Matt recording in August 2014. We SILVER REVOLVER, Grossman. The band is spent a long time there, are a fabulous melodic sounding really tight right before we went to Paramount now, and we can’t wait to go Recording Studios in hard rock duo from to the U.K. in November with Hollywood to edit the album. Strasbourg, France. Buckcherry. I have a feeling We mixed the album at They have a new ten that the U.K. audience is Sphere Studios in September track album out now going to enjoy the album very 2016. We spent 2017 called No Place To Hide' much. We also want to tour planning the music video for other parts of Europe, ‘Rock Star’ and filmed it in which runs in at just over particularly Scandinavia since early 2018. It took a long time forty minutes long and is I’m from Norway. We would to get all of the special effects the band’s debut album. love to play in Germany as and animation just right, so well, because it’s a very good the music video was market for metal. South completed in March 2019. America also," he tells me. Then we mastered the album with the legendary Bernie Grundman shortly after. He also personally mastered the vinyl version." ‘Firestorm’ is only the beginning for Rocky Kramer. "We want to play ‘Firestorm’ for as many people in the world as Silver Revolver are: possible, but when we feel Fernando Rios – lead that we’ve let the world know guitar, Eduardo all there is to know about Carrasco – guitars,–The ‘Firestorm’, the time for a new album will come. I’ve already album also features The album was recorded at guest spots from the 17 Hertz in North Hollywood. mentioned the three albums I 17 Hertz is most famous for wrote before ‘Firestorm’, wonderful Diego being the studio where which are already in demo Zaraboso – vocals. It is Metallica recorded ‘… And form and pretty much ready a warm August weekend Justice For All’ and ‘The to be recorded. After ‘Firestorm’, I wrote another in Ciudad de Mexico, Black Album’ when it was and lead guitarist One on One. "It was pretty three albums before moving much the only studio I was to the United States. While Fernando Rios has been aware of in Los Angeles being here, I’ve written out walking his dogs. It when I moved here, because another two. I also have two is Sunday and he has of the Metallica documentary albums worth of songs that are from the various bands I just had a very light fruit ‘A Year And A Half In The with yogurt or a cereal Life Of Metallica’ depicting performed with as a the recording of ‘The Black teenager, including Armed with orange juice. Album’. It was one of the few Science. They’re more "Afterwards I am going opportunities I had to see classic rock, so they may not out to play soccer, and what it was like to be in a be released as a Rocky Kramer project per se. I have later on I will make a rock band, recording an slightly stronger meal," album. The studio became so much music I want to private after Metallica left, share with the world, so like I he tells me. Fernando

MUSIC IS OUT THERE 18 FREE WITH FIREWORKS #88

VOLUME 10 JUNE/JULY ISSUE 237 24/8 2016

M A G A Z I N E

Palm Springs

Mona Caywood 3 Thomi Clinton Jackie Beat 4 Los Angeles

Lauri Bono 5

Sean Borg 22

Randal Kleiser 34

Kim Richards Kim Richards 35 San Diego Dolly Parton 36

Rod Stewart 39

SUZANNEDolly Parton TRACHT ROCKY Las Vegas

KRAMER Rod Stewart

TABLE 7 OF CONTENTS

PaLM 9 SPRINGS THOMI CLINTON

Thomi Clinton

LoS 35 ANGELES

Kim Richards

SaN 37 DIEGO

Dolly Parton

LaS 39 VEGAS LIVE MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.yumpu.com/user/cre8live

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JULI RAGSDALE LEVVY CARRIKER @GMAIL.COM @GMAIL.COM LIVE Magazine is a biweekly entertainment publication highlighting art and entertainment events, shopping and dining venues. The magazine inspires Rod Stewart readers to recognize they are part of a greater global community and to inform them how to manifest their part by becoming involved in local com- PXQLW\HIIRUWV2WKHUFRQWHQWVLQFOXGHFRPPHQWDU\RQ¿OPVVKRZVKXPDQ interest stories and the inspirational musings. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Sean Borg, Peter Brandt, Levvy Carriker, Frank Failing, John Fike, Dimitri FuN 40 +DONLGLV-RKQ+HGJHV6NLS-HQVHQ/DQL*DU¿HOGSal Mistretta, Barry Peterson, Juli Ragsdale RED CARPET INTERVIEWS: LIVE Magazine CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Andy Ashton, Sean Borg, big mike, Levvy Carriker, Palm Springs Sal Mistretta, Juli Ragsdale Los Angeles © 2016 OCEAN TRAIN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LAYOUT: Levvy Carriker, Juli Ragsdale PRINTED IN U.S.A. DISTRIBUTION: Desert Fox Distribution, Jim Fox 611 Palm Canyon Drive, 7-548 San Diego Palm Springs, CA 92264 Las Vegas DISPLAY ADVERTISING: 760-409-1234 Phone 760.409.1234

ON THE COVER: Kim Richards, CEO of Allied Artists invited us in to the famous Studio A of Paramount Recording Studios to interview him along with the emerging rock musician, Rocky Kramer. Read pages 26-29. Related story on page 34-35. A Viking Rocker Emerges!

Hailing from the Scandinavian Peninsula country of Norway, Rocky XQLTXHVRXQG:KDWHPHUJHGPLJKWEHSURSHUO\FODVVL¿HGDVPHWDOV\P- Kramer is truly a modern day Viking, poised to take no prisoners as phonies for the rock enthusiast! After spending a year in university study- he conquers the hearts, minds and souls of rockers around the world! LQJ¿OP5RFN\OHIWIRUWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVWRDXJPHQWKLVDOUHDG\LPSUHV- Armed with a guitar, this graduate of Metal 101 constitutes a triple threat sive English language skills. Although Norwegian is his native language, as a composer, vocalist and formidable musician. Rocky felt from a very early age that he could best convey music in the (QJOLVKODQJXDJH&RQVHTXHQWO\KHQRZVSHDNV(QJOLVKTXLWHÀXHQWO\ Born in the 1990’s to musician parents, few could have known that Rocky would inherit his parents’ passion for music, ultimately transforming into While attending school in the United States, Rocky caught the attention of Norway’s ambassador of rock. While some homes have a piano, Rocky’s the Allied Artists Music Group, who soon inked a deal with this inimitable home had two – one for the upstairs and another for the downstairs. musician. Stephan Bauer, President of Allied Artists Music Group (Led $OWKRXJK5RFN\¶VIDWKHUZDVWKH¿UVWYLROLQLVWLQWKH7URQGKHLP6\PSKRQ\ Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones) comments that “Rocky is the essence Orchestra, his mother was an accomplished pianist in her own right. At of modern metal, mixed with a tenacity that makes for rock legends” add- the age of four, young Rocky began exploring this massive instrument. ing that “those of us at Allied Artists are proud to have him on the label Rocky recalls “I was fascinated when I discovered I could play a melody!” DQGORRNIRUZDUGWRLQWURGXFLQJKLPWRWRGD\¶VDXGLHQFHVZKRZLOO¿QGKLV Filled with musical curiosity, the four year old began banging out rudimen- music invigorating and his message captivating.” Perhaps as a portent of tary melodies that foreshadowed the composer he would become. things to come, Rocky was voted 2012’s Best New Male Rock Musician by the editors of Rock Over America Magazine and was recently wel- $WWKHDJHRI¿YHWUDJHG\VWUXFNZKHQ5RFN\¶VPRWKHUVXFFXPEHGWR comed as a new member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & cancer, leaving Rocky, his older brother and their father to fend for them- Sciences (“The Grammys”). selves. Rocky laments that “my father immediately took on the responsibility of raising two unruly boys by himself.” Shortly after his wife’s pass- Rocky proudly plays and endorses Fender® Guitars, DigiTech® / DOD ing, the professional violinist was attempting to teach Rocky’s brother Effects Pedals, ClearTone Strings® and Jim Dunlop® Jazz III Guitar how to play the violin. As the older sibling unsuccessfully attempted to Picks & Cry Baby® Wah Wah. Indeed, Rocky only endorses products he follow his father’s instruction, young Rocky volunteered to give it a go. truly enjoys playing. 7RKLVIDWKHU¶VDVWRQLVKPHQW¿YH\HDUROG5RFN\GHPRQVWUDWHGLQFUHG- ible skill as he traversed the smallest stringed instrument, with its horse- Visit Rocky on the web at www.RockyKramer.com hair bow. Little did Rocky know that his adept performance that one day ZRXOGOHDGWRFRQÀLFWDQGWXUPRLOWKDWZRXOGKDXQWKLPIRU\HDUVZKLOH GHYHORSLQJKLPLQWRRQHRIWKHPRVWSUROL¿FFRPSRVHUVDQGSURIRXQG guitarists to hit the rock scene in decades.

With a budding virtuoso on his hands, Rocky’s father encouraged violin lessons and even supplemented those lessons with private tutoring from the master himself. On one hand Rocky knew that he was lucky to have such an accomplished violinist teaching him to master his instrument – but – there was one problem. Rocky yearned to play more contemporary instruments, such as the drums and guitar. To a virtuoso violinist, such tools of the rock world were simply blasphemous. For years the prodigal son played violin by day and rocked out at night on friends’ guitars and drums. Requests for such trite instruments for birthdays and Christmas were met with a resounding “NO!” Soon the ember became a burning desire. Being an ardent fan of Ace Frehley, Rocky Saved his allowance, ELUWKGD\RIIHULQJVDQGDOORWKHUHDUQLQJVHYHQWXDOO\EX\LQJKLV¿UVWJXL- tar – “a Les Paul Double Cut knock-off,” recalls Rocky. It didn’t take long before Rocky discovered he was “a Fender® man;” a religion validated by KLVRWKHUOLIHORQJLQÀXHQFH

Audio Engineer ...“those of us at Allied Artists are proud to have him on the label and Steve Olmon ORRNIRUZDUGWRLQWURGXFLQJKLPWRWRGD\·VDXGLHQFHVZKRZLOOÀQGKLV music invigorating and his message captivating.” Perhaps as a portent of things to come, Rocky was voted 2012’s Best New Male Rock Musi- cian by the editors of Rock Over America Magazine and was recently Kim Richards Rocky Kramer welcomed as a new member of the National Academy of Recording CEO Allied Artists Musician Arts & Sciences (“The Grammys”).

Paramount Recording Studios Studio A Hollywood, CA

Armed with a guitar, this graduate of Metal 101 constitutes a triple threat as a composer, vocalist and formidable musician.

See the Video Interview at the website below Levvy Carriker taping at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood while Kim Richards and Rocky Kramer discuss the varied areas of Rocky’s style. Find out about this multi-talented artists by watching the video at www.LIVEmagazine.TV

LEVVY CARRIKER JULI RAGSDALE Juli Ragsdale interviews Kim Richards as they walk down the walls with Gold Alumns in the company’s ranks. Some of the most well known artists in the world have worked at KIM RICHARDS ROCKY KRAMER LIVEMAGAZINE.TV Paramount Recording Studios. 9/1/2018 From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment

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Interviews a From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment  August 18, 2018  Su Ring

Listen to Rocky Kramer’s music, and you’re treated to an edgy metal sound with classical undertones that belie his traditional upbringing (his father was First Violinist in the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra). Chat with Rocky, and you’re treated to a young man on a mission to make the world more environmentally sustainable.

Rocky moved from Norway to Los Angeles to advance his musical career and is making his second trip to Seattle. He visited last year to see one of his favorite bands, Metallica, headline an epic concert at

http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/from-norway-with-love-rocky-kramers-passion-for-playing-metal-and-saving-the-environment/ 1/6 9/1/2018 From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment CenturyLink Field. This year, he’s back for a headlining gig of his own – Blasts From The Past tonight at HempFest. Select Month

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4h Photo by Hector Ramos NW Music Scene Retweeted a Verity Credit Union @verityseattle Rocky chatted with Northwest Music Scene about his musical Review: Damien Jurado — upbringing and his love of 80’s heavy metal. He also shared why he ‘The Horizon Just Laughed’ - bit.ly/2O6oIMA via supports hemp as a key weapon in the future of our planet’s @NW Music Scene sustainability, even though he does not use cannabis recreationally. Embed View on Twitter

NWMS: You have a classical music upbringing. How and when did you Òrst hear a metal band?

RK: My Òrst experience seeing a live band was a sound check. My father was the First Violinist in the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. They were doing a New Year’s Eve special that was going to be televised nationally and he took us with him to the sound check. TNT were performing one of their new singles and they had the smoke http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/from-norway-with-love-rocky-kramers-passion-for-playing-metal-and-saving-the-environment/ 2/6 9/1/2018 From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment machines! It was my Òrst experience seeing a rock band live and it was very inÓuential. It went from that to KISS. There was a neighbor who had a few KISS cassettes. KISS was my Òrst metal band, if you want to call them metal. Some people call them heavy metal. I think they’re on the “nicer” end of the spectrum a– more on the commercial side. So, it went from KISS to Iron Maiden to Metallica to all kinds of bands. It was a slow progression. You start out with one band and people say, “if you like that then you might like this.”

NWMS: Who else introduced new music to you?

RK: It’s always someone you know. For me, it was my brother, who’s two years older than me. His friends would listen to something, then he’d listen to it, then I would listen to it. I discovered a lot of wonderful music that way.

NWMS: When did you begin playing guitar?

RK: I started playing the violin when I was seven. About the same time, my brother got an acoustic guitar. He’s the one in the family who started with guitar. I picked it up when I was nine, but it wasn’t the right time yet. When I was eleven, I decided I really wanted to play the guitar and that was when I took over my brother’s guitar and it was pretty much always in my room because I loved playing it so much. I would play for hours. Eventually, I saved up enough money to buy my own guitar and it just snowballed into… this (laughs).

When I started playing guitar, I was into Ozzy Osbourne, particularly because of Randy Rhoads. When I was thirteen, after I bought my Òrst electric guitar, I fell o× my bike and broke my collarbone. And my doctor said, “you can’t move your left arm for a week.” aSo, I said, if I can’t play guitar, I’m going to study guitar. And that’s when I started studying the shredders of the 80’s, like Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, and so on. Because I couldn’t play, I wanted to learn something new and that’s when I discovered all these new ways of playing. Hearing Yngwie Malmsteen combining metal with classical music completely changed my world.

NWMS: Describe your early songwriting process.

RK: I started writing my own songs on Guitar Pro (started with GP 4, then 5 and still uses 6). It’s kind of the simple way of doing it (inputting notes). I take it from that and I move on to Logic and make more http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/from-norway-with-love-rocky-kramers-passion-for-playing-metal-and-saving-the-environment/ 3/6 9/1/2018 From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment professional demos, which is something I’ve done more in the last ten years.

About the songwriting process: I think, for the most part, I never really decide to write a song. It just happens. Generally, it’s the melody that comes Òrst. It’s really kind of an e×ortless thing. It’s either there or it isn’t. I’m not the type to write one note and say, okay – what should be the next note? It’s either there or it isn’t. I might be playing guitar and I’m playing something and it’s all just random things then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I’m playing this ri× and I’m like “oh my god, this is great.” I would just record it immediately. The process of doing this when I was sixteen is what became the album I’m performing (at Hemp Fest), called Firestorm. It was compiling all these audio clips and seeing what Òts.

NWMS: How did your band come together?

RK: First, I moved from Norway to LA, then found musicians (Michael Dwyer: bass/vocals, Alejandro Mercado: drums/vocals, and Alessandro Bertoni: keyboards/vocals). We started playing and things fell into place.

NWMS: You don’t use cannabis, but you’re headlining at HempFest. Tell me about your passion for promoting hemp as a resource to help make our planet more environmentally sustainable.

RK: I’m from Norway. Norway’s not necessarily a country that embraces hemp, but it is a country that embraces sustainability and the future of our grandchildren and everything. When I came here, I didn’t know much about hemp, other than it being used for smoking it to get high. When you actually look into the plant, it’s a lot more than that. That’s something we want to talk about more because I think a lot of people forget about the fact that when you have the CBD oils, you can reduce somebody’s blood sugar tremendously and that’s almost a matter of life and death if you have diabetes. Medically, it has a lot of beneÒts. On the other hand, the classic form of plastic is not a renewable resource because it’s made out of oil. With hemp, you can make a type of bio-plastic that is not only as strong as regular plastic, if you do it the right way, it can be stronger than steel. When you think about the strength of hemp, in that sense, when you use it in the right way, industrially, all of a sudden you have this whole market, this whole industry of products that are more http://www.northwestmusicscene.net/from-norway-with-love-rocky-kramers-passion-for-playing-metal-and-saving-the-environment/ 4/6 9/1/2018 From Norway, with Love: Rocky Kramer’s passion for playing metal and saving the environment sustainable, that’s not bad for the environment, because hemp is Get the Northwest biodegradable. aAll of a sudden, we’re seeing more of a future, more Music Scene in your than destroying the future, as we Ònd more plastic and garbage inside inbox the stomachs of dead Òsh and whales. The whole point of promoting hemp is that we want a sustainable future and we believe that hemp Never miss another show announcement or album has so many purposes. review. Enter your email a address to subscribe to this blog and receive notiÒcations Rocky and his band will perform tonight (Saturday, August 18) at 7:00 of new posts by email. pm on the Share Parker Memorial Main Stage at Myrtle Edwards Park. More information about Hempfest: www.hempfest.org Email Address

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Su Ring

Su has worked in and around the music scene since the tender age of 19, when she formed her Òrst heavy metal band on the Jersey Shore. Since then, she's hosted a radio show, worked at several major record labels in New York City, written for a now-defunct rock periodical, and self-published a novel set amid the 80s metal music scene in the Big Apple. She spends her time now singing anthems, hosting a hockey podcast, and producing segments for a daytime TV talk show. And enjoying rock and heavy metal shows, of course.

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8/16/2016 Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles -adressa.no

 PlussNYHETER + SPORTEADRESSAKULTUR UKEADRESSAØKONOMI MENINGER PLUSS + BLI ABONNENT Hei,  ﬂS

FORSIDEN / SUPERGITARIST ROCKY KRAMER FRA TRONDHEIM GJØR SUKSESS I LOS ANGELES PUBLISERT: 16 AUGUST 2016 07:47 SIST OPPDATERT: 16 AUGUST 2016 10:37

MAREN ELVIG MELSTVEIT 1 Mobil: 938 77 157

Aktuell med plate: Sindre tok sjansen og flyttet til Los Angeles for å prøve seg som artist. Etter elleve måneder fikk han platekontrakt med Allied Artists, og snart er han aktuell med sin første plateutgivelse. FOTO: ROCKY KRAMER/ALLIED ARTISTS Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles Sindre Langhelle (26) fra Tiller i Trondheim skjønte at han måtte bort fra Norge for å få rockestjerne-drømmen oppfylt. Nå lanseres han som artisten Rocky Kramer i USA.

Langhelle fikk platekontrakt med Universal-baserte Allied Artists i 2012. I 2014 begynte han å spille inn albumet «Firestorm» i samme studio som Metallica spilte

http://www.adressa.no/pluss/kultur/2016/08/16/Supergitarist-Rocky-Kramer-fra-Trondheim-gj%C3%B8r-suksess-i-Los-Angeles-13168843.ece 1/7 8/16/2016 Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles -adressa.no inn «The Black Album». Sangene skrev han for ti år siden.

- Dagen jeg fikk platekontrakt kommer jeg aldri til å glemme. Det var en helt fantastisk følelse å få en av mine største drømmer oppfylt.

Nå oppfylles snart nok en drøm

når albumet kommer ut i løpet av året. Leses nå:

- Det blir en viktig dag i mitt liv som artist, låtskriver og gitarist. Kanskje også som menneske. Jeg prøver å holde nervene i sjakk, men dette er en «big deal». Det er mange artister på markedet for tiden, så jeg håper å finne gull i enden av regnbuen.

LES OGSÅ: Kliss lik Kiss + Rita Ottervik satte endelig punktum for Aldri ferdig utlært storhalldebatten

Samme år som han fikk platekontrakt startet arbeidet med å utvikle Sindre til en ekte amerikansk artist. Det nordiske blonde håret ble farget svart som natten, han startet å bruke artistaliaset Rocky Kramer, og gikk gjennom en toårig prosess for å utvikle seg som sanger.

- Jeg er hovedsakelig låtskriver og gitarist, og hadde aldri Reagerer sterkt mot planlagt å bli sanger. Først hadde jeg litt problemer med Sverige-stjernen: - Hun kan sangstemmen, men utviklet etter hvert en bra teknikk ikke mene det! gjennom de to årene. Som musiker er man alltid student, man blir aldri ferdig utlært.

Saken fortsetter etter annonsen.

Kapteinen forlenger til 2021: - RBK i ferd med å bygge opp noe skikkelig

Det ble som Bakenga håpet

http://www.adressa.no/pluss/kultur/2016/08/16/Supergitarist-Rocky-Kramer-fra-Trondheim-gj%C3%B8r-suksess-i-Los-Angeles-13168843.ece 2/7 8/16/2016 Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles -adressa.no LES OGSÅ: Rock for rollens skyld

Klassisk og elektrisk musikk

Langhelle vokste opp i en musikalsk familie på Tiller i Trondheim. Faren var førstefiolinist i Trondheim Symfoniorkester og spilte mye klassisk musikk for han og søsknene under oppveksten. Han begynte sin musikalske karriere med å spille fiolin, før han gikk over til gitar etter å ha hørt på Kiss og AC/DC. Det var også på denne tiden at han begynte å skrive sine egne låter, en slags krysning mellom klassisk musikk og elektrisk gitar ifølge ham selv.

FOTO: ROCKY KRAMER/ALLIED ARTISTS

- I ungdommen var jeg med i et band med navn Armed Science. Vi var et slags tenårings-Kiss, bare med litt enklere sminke. Vi var bare 16 år da vi gjorde dette, og kom til fylkesfinalen i Bjugn.

Tenåringsdrømmen var alltid å dra til USA for å bli rockestjerne.

- Etter å ha skrevet musikken var neste steg å få den ut, da fant jeg ut at jeg måtte forlate Norge til fordel for USA og Los Angeles. Jeg tenkte at musikken hadde potensial, og at jeg ikke måtte kaste bort dette, forteller han.

Men selv om han lever ut drømmen i Los Angeles, savner han fortsatt barndomshjemmet på Tiller.

- Jeg vil gjerne bruke mer av tiden min der sammen med familie og venner, noe jeg kommer til å gjøre når jeg blir mer etablert som artist og blir mer selvstendig. Mellom turneene selvfølgelig.

LES OGSÅ: Ble overrasket av åtte gitarister på scenen

http://www.adressa.no/pluss/kultur/2016/08/16/Supergitarist-Rocky-Kramer-fra-Trondheim-gj%C3%B8r-suksess-i-Los-Angeles-13168843.ece 3/7 8/16/2016 Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles -adressa.no Fikk visumhjelp av Hillary Clinton

Han hadde ikke søkt om arbeidsvisum før han dro til USA, fordi han visste at han ikke var kvalifisert. Derfor ble løsningen å søke studentvisum. Han tok noen fag på universitetet mens han bodde hos en eldre dame i 80-årene. Hun hjalp ham å få kontakter innen plateindustrien, og arbeidsvisumet ble søkt om da han fikk platekontrakt.

- Søknaden ble godkjent av USCIS i USA, men dama i ambassaden i Oslo mente at kun Mick Jagger var kvalifisert til et slikt visum, sier han.

Da tok plateprodusenten affære og ringte Hillary Clinton, som igjen ringte ambassadøren.

- Da ble visumet takk og lov godkjent.

LES OGSÅ: Det er for lite rock i Rockheim

Gikk glipp av åttitallet

I dag er det lite med Sindre som minner om en moderne artist. Med sort, voluminøst hår ned til skuldrene, kullsvarte bukser og trang skinnjakke er han som tatt ut fra rockens storhetstid.

- Jeg ble født på nittitallet og gikk dessverre glipp av åttitallet. Under oppveksten var jeg ikke glad i å høre moderne musikk på radio, jeg ville heller høre på sanger fra tiåret før jeg ble født. Jeg ble inspirert av musikere med langt, svart hår og ville bli en del av dem, forteller han.

Er du redd å bli oppfattet som harry på grunn av imaget ditt?

- Det er et godt spørsmål. Stilen min fungerer godt i USA, når folk treffer meg for første gang spør de om hvilket band jeg tilhører. Folk forstår at jeg er rockeartist ut i fra imaget mitt, sier han. Musikalsk: Han vokste opp i en musikalsk familie som hørte mye på klassisk musikk. Selv ble han etterhvert mer opptatt av elektrisk gitar, og i tenårene begynte han å skrive sine LES OGSÅ: - Flaks at Rockheim er i egne låter. FOTO: ROCKY KRAMER/ALLIED ARTISTS Trondheim +

Et navn som er enkelt å uttale

Musikkstilen er inspirert av Pink Floyd, AC/DC og Michael Jackson. Langhelle har tro på at musikken også kan slå gjennom i Europa.

http://www.adressa.no/pluss/kultur/2016/08/16/Supergitarist-Rocky-Kramer-fra-Trondheim-gj%C3%B8r-suksess-i-Los-Angeles-13168843.ece 4/7 8/16/2016 Supergitarist Rocky Kramer fra Trondheim gjør suksess i Los Angeles -adressa.no - Alle disse har album som er de mest solgte i verden. Musikken jeg liker og er inspirert av er populær, og jeg har fått god respons på albumet mitt fra mange i bransjen som tror at det kan bli stort. Den har ikke bare potensial som album, men også som soundtrack til film. Musikken er veldig intens, forteller han.

Hva med artistnavnet ditt?

- Egentlig ville jeg bruke mitt eget navn, men da jeg flyttet til USA skjønte jeg at det kunne bli et problem å uttale det. Jeg bestemte meg for å velge et navn som amerikanerne allerede kan. «Rocky» fordi det er en av mine favorittfilmer, Kramer fordi «alle» kjenner Cosmo Kramer fra Seinfield. Fordelen med navnet er at alle husker det, og sånn sett er det et smart valg.

LES OGSÅ: Bruce satte Granåsen på verdens rockekart

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21:41 + - Det er en tabbe det Rita sier nå. Dette er A 21:41 Disse kineserne fikk seg en overraskelse da de 1 2 3 21:39 Nå er det vinn eller forsvinn for Norge -Jeg blir daglig Snart kommer en Orkdaling: – Jeg 21:30 - Angrepene har gjort franskmenn lukket. I Tron kjeftet på og endring som blir kommer fra 21:11 Orkdal-brødrene har trikset i sju år. Nå går de f utskjelt dyr for elbiler i planeten Jorden Trondheim | hovedsakene nå:

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