Author: Guest Writer

It is a new semester and a new year, but I am still your Editor-In-Chief. I know you’re all happy and I can’t blame ya. I take pride in being your editor and being the best journalist this side of the Mississippi. So without further a dui, I’ll let the column begin.

One of the founding fathers of rap, Russell Simmons, is planning a “Hip-Hop Woodstock” which would be held in Atlanta, Georgia over a two-day period. “Just as music played an important role in the changing of our culture after the original Woodstock, we are again at a turning point where music, specifically hip-hop, will have a role in shaping our future. It’s time to take that responsibility seriously,” said Simmons in a press statement about the festival. This is very interesting, because the last time we saw an event like this was Woodstock ’99, and on the final day, after the Red Hot Chili Peppers played their set, there were riots. Stands were burned, bathrooms were knocked over, and a lot of other stuff was destroyed. It was terror. Given those events, it will be interesting to see the plan for this, “Hip Hop Woodstock,” and if it does happen, only one would wonder what will become of it. Of course, if the plan goes through, a lot of major hip-hop acts will be on the bill, and rumors of Ludichris, Eminem, and Nelly are being thrown around.

There are a bunch of bands in the studio right now recording albums. Limp Bizkit is in the midst of putting the finishing touches on their fourth studio album, “Less Is More.” The spot for the guitarist hasn’t been filled, but Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Brian “Head” Welch of KoRn, Page Hamilton of Helmet, and Al Jourgense of Ministry have been aiding Limp with their project. Fred Durst claims this will be the heaviest Limp Bizkit album of all, and could lead to a new genre of rock. I am simply looking forward to when it comes out in April 1st. I don’t care what anyone says, Limp Bizkit rocks. In other news, Linkin Park will be releasing their sophomore project, “Meteora,” which is due out in stores on March 25th, with the lead off track being, “Somewhere I Belong.” Just like their first effort, “[Hybrid Theory],” this album will have no special guest appearances. Speaking of sophomore albums, Hoobastank has begun work on writing their next album, which so far as no title. Doug Robb, the frontman, says that he would like to start recording in a month, though doesn’t expect the project to hit stores until August.

Looks like R. Kelly has done it again. After claiming he never had sex with an under-age teen, he was arrested for 12 counts of child pornography. Police found a digital camera that belonged to him with 12 shots of a minor on it, and three of which depict him in a sexual act. This really doesn’t look too good for R. Kelly. I’m not saying that he did this … just implying that R. Kelly is getting deeper and deeper into a hole. No, not that hole, you sick perverts.

Lastly, due to time restraints, I would like to comment on American Idol. The best time to watch American Idol is the tryout period. The episodes have been aired for the past two weeks and I get a kick out of it every time when I see people who can’t either A.) Sing, B.) Have an attitude, or C.) Looks like their mother dressed them. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to have your mother dress you … well, yea, I probably am, aren’t I? In any event, there’s few talent out there this year, and even though Simon tore some of the contestants a new rear end and even though it was funny, I admire those rejected to keep on following on with their dream. This is one show I will definitely be watching this season.

Looks like all for this issue… I’ll catchy ya on the flipside.
-Bear Frazer

     When I asked bassist, James Johnson how he described his band, Wulfgang, he replied with them sounding like, “Motley Crue with Joan Jett, with a Kiss pyro show.”
     Wulfgang, the hottest metal band in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, began in 1988 as a band with a bunch of friends, however, once they started getting popular, the band started getting serious in 1991. Along with being serious came changes in the group. The latest lineup consists of Joanna Brooks (Lead Singer), Vee Patrick (Guitarist), James Johnson (Bassist), and Stephen Stixx (Drummer). Speaking of the band, some of the members are influenced by other artists. Such an example is Vee Patrick, who is influenced by Saliva, Soundgarden, and Jimi Hendrix. James Johnson, for one, has been influenced by Kiss, Motley Crue, and John Mellencamp.
     Since 1991, they put out five albums, and are on the verge of releasing their third studio album, “Unleash the Beast,” a follow-up to their 2000 release, “Love Ain’t Easy,” which sold all 1,000 copies in it’s first week.
     “Unleash the Beast” is still in the process of being finished. Some of the tracks include titles, such as, “Forever,” and Vee Patrick’s favorites, “Breeze,” and “Selfish Needs.” When I asked Vee why these were his favorite songs on the album, he said, “They’re good metal songs to bang your head to. They have a great groove to it.”
     The best suggestion to any Wulfgang fan out there is to buy, “Unleash the Beast,” once it comes out, which is slated for March 1rst. Only 1,500 copies will be produced, so reserve your order today. The album will be available at FYE, Amazon.com, Yahoo.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and CDBaby.com. And if that isn’t enough, the band will be releasing a DVD, entitled, “Unleash the Best,” which will comprise of Wulfgang‘s best performances.
     I highly recommend anyone in the area of Charlotte to check out their live shows. Wulfgang thrives on live shows because they love putting on shows that people would love to see. And seriously, it’s not everyday you get to see a guitarist set himself on fire. And if that’s not enough, they purchased a pyro system that Kiss used once before. There is a lot of excitement at the shows, that’s for sure. Vee Patrick commented that, “If somebody went to our show and hated it, I’d give them back five bucks.”
     Wulfgang will be supporting their new album by playing some shows. The only shows that are confirmed are at Amos’ on February 20th, a venue in Charlotte that Saliva and Coldplay has performed. Also, Bogey’s Bistro will have the band there on March 1st. The group has traveled as far as Texas, so it is more than likely that you will have multiple opportunities to see them live. The band is just having fun, and if you wanna have fun too, check out Wulfgang.
     For more information on Wulfgang, check out their website: Wulfgang.com or call their hotline at 704-723-WULF
I’d just like to say, when I interviewed and hung out with these individuals, they were very polite, very cool, and very real. So I ask everyone here at BaloolaPalooza.com to check out Wulfgang.com and show some respect to the group who welcomed me with open arms. Pics of the band shall be up in a few days. Thank you. – Bear Frazer.

There are just a few things I want to say, but first, I would like to give thanks. Ever since BaloolaPalooza opened up, we have gotten a ton of traffic. A lot of people are checkin’ us out, more users on the message board, and above all, it is you, the people who want to be apart of this that have made the first few days of our opening nothing but a success, so all the BP-Heads out there, I just want to say thank you for supporting us all.
I tell all of y’all what though. Since we opened up, somebody asked me, “Hey Bear … let me ask you something. What makes BP.com so different from other sites? What makes BaloolaPalooza so damn special?” Well, I will tell you.
There is something about this site that makes us separate from all other entertainment websites, and that is anyone is welcome to write for the website. Let’s think about it … there aren’t many sites out there that allow individuals to write a story, a review, a column, whatever. Bottom line is that a lot of sites don’t let the people who want to write for their respective sites to join staff. It’s like a lot of sites think they’re too good for people like you and me to write for them, and that severely pisses me off. Ever since day one, I said anyone who wants to be apart of BP.com in any way, shape, or form can join us and have his or her voice heard. That is why BaloolaPalooza is so special because unlike other music web sites, we let anyone who has a passion for this music to be heard.
Not a lot of sites want their fans or users to join their staff. Well, like I said … we ain’t any other site. We’re very special, very different, and very giving. I feel this is a family, no joke. See, it doesn’t matter if you are the best writer in the world, or the worst writer on the planet. If you want to write, I will let you. I want my users to write if they have a desire and I won’t deny anyone that right. I’ll let anyone tryout and if they are good, they are on board, in my eyes. Think about it, there are tons of teenagers, people like you and I, who want to be noticed, appreciated, and have a chance to write for a music entertainment site. I love music and I have no regrets doing BP.com as a matter of fact, my only regret would be not opening this place sooner, because frankly, I always wanted to be a reporter who got to talk about one of the few passions I have, and that’s music.
So everyone, please do me a favor. If you are reading this now and a friend asks why you you’re reading the information on this site or why BaloolaPalooza is so special, then link them to this editorial and open their eyes. In closing, I’m not anyone I’m just an average individual who has the drive and ambition to run a site fan based and fan created.
I’ll end it with Primer 55 … “I ain’t got nothing but love for this crew.”