Concert Reviews
The Weekly Surge
By Michael Wood
Bulletboys Concert
Up next: Pyromatic, from Whiteville, N.C. They
came in with amazing energy and had the crowd eating out of their hands. The singer, Brett Ward, sounds almost exactly like
Poison lead singer Brett Michaels. I guess it's no coincidence that Poison is number two on their top friends on Myspace.com.
Yet another well-placed act on this bill.
From the Weekly Surge
By Michael Wood
Hookers N' Blow/Love Hate Show
The first band to play was Pyromatic from Whiteville, N.C. These guys brought a huge crowd
with them. The sound was not great (probably due to the last minute circumstances), but they still had amazing energy and
the crowd was right there rocking out with them.
Album Reviews
www.
KomodoRock.com
Pyromatic are going to take no prisoners with their new album Reels and Stills, they're coming both barrels blazing with a blues infused melodic rock sound that is gonna be instantly
recognisable by fans of a certain legendary American "hair metal" band.
Coming right out and saying it, the obvious influence of Poison is all over this record, and thank god they've done it well, and that's exactly what they have. It doesn't sound like
a Poison album, but by god does it sound close enough that it could be, and that's coming as a huge compliment. We've got
big guitars, drawling vocals, and songs which stand out, all with the bluesy based feel to them.
'Angel No More' kicks
the album off with a swagger of a band that knows that they have material that can stand up tall and strong, but with enough
there to show the band are coming to have fun.
To be fair the album does have it's heavier moments, take for example
'Prince Poison', and we see another influence apparently surfacing, this time the Hollywood hellraisers in Motley Crue. Again,
this isn't a bad thing, because the track itself stands up to the scrutiny that such comparisons bring with them. Simply put,
if they didn't, this could have come across as a completely disastrous release.
Any doubts are firmly blown away, presuming
you had any left, by the time you hit the second half of the album and the power ballad 'Promises Worth Keeping'. How often in recent years have you heard a power ballad, and even more so a power ballad
that feels both anthemic, and one that could transcend boundaries.
It has everything that made 'Every Rose Has It's
Thorn', everything that you expect when you listen to ' Home Sweet Home', and stands up happily alongside pretty much any other power ballad that has broken out into the big wild world.
The only thing that really lets this album down is the horrible cover art. It's a shame, but other than that...
It's always nice to be surprised. Be surprised, and check out Pyromatic.
It's the best of Poison, and Sunset Strip of the 80's wrapped up in the shiny packaging of the new millennium, and it's superb.
| Overall rating |
|
8.2 |
| Artwork |
|
5.0 |
| Production |
|
9.0 |
| Music Quality |
|
9.0 |
| Lyrics |
|
9.0 |
| Overall |
|
9.0 |
Articles
Pyromatic now featured by national record label.
By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer
Published: Friday,
April 10, 2009 5:37 PM EDT
Milton Gore and Bret Ward said they thought they were dreaming.
Gore and
Ward, along with their fellow Pyromatic band members Daniel Faulk, Waylon Hayes, and Heath Ward were sitting in a bar with
members of the 1980s rock group Guns ‘n’ Roses.
What was even more amazing to the local rockers was that
they were sharing the stage with members of the world-famous “hair band.”
“One of the guys was just
obsessing about the size of this hamburger,” Gore said, laughing. “It was cool. We couldn’t believe we were
there.”
“We’ve really lucked out,” Bret Ward said Friday. “The doors are opening
for us.”
The local band – its members hail from Whiteville, Nakina and throughout the county –
was recently picked up by Blast Zone Entertainment Group. They had already recorded their first songs through their own label,
Rock Room Records, which they started in 2004. On Aug. 12, 2008, they released their first full album, Reels and Stills.
Starting
Tuesday, Reels and Stills will be available not just over the internet, but through Best Buy, FYE Entertainment, and other
retail outlets.
A special free download is available for rock and rollers who go to Whiteville.com and click on the Pyromatic link.
The band plays rock in the style of Def Leppard, Ratt, and other
hard-driving artists who peaked in the 1980s and early 1990s. They have opened for several of the big name bands, including
Jackyl. The genre was dominant for several years, then faded away. Gore noted that happens with most kinds of music.
“Before
the Internet,” he said, “it was easy for a genre to go out of style and be forgotten. People weren’t always
given the choice. Now that’s all changed.”
The popularity of such applications
and programs as iTunes and Internet radio allow listeners a variety of musical choices, regardless of what’s hot and
what’s not. Ward pointed out that this helps drive the sale of singles, especially for breakout groups like Pyromatic.
“People
like to have a variety of music,” he said. “You might have somebody with a Johnny Cash song on their computer,
followed with one of ours and then a rap song. The flexibility of buying the music you want makes a big difference –
we’d rather somebody buy the whole album, but if they just want to buy the single, that’s cool.”
The
free download will feature a Pyromatic single, which is now receiving airplay, Ward said. Airplay and representation through
Blast Zone has helped open even more doors for the band.
The group is scheduled to perform a major charity concert
in Atlanta later this year, and is currently booking several shows in Florida and Virginia. They are also considering a run
on the college circuit, with Ohio State University – a famous venue for new rock bands – inviting the band to
visit.
Despite the slow ascent to a national name, Ward and Gore insist the band is still the same. The band is a business,
and the men want it to stay their business.
“I’d rather fall flat on our faces doing what we decided to
do,” Ward said, “than be a so-so band because of what somebody else said we should do.”
“We
still maintain our own website, write our own music, and make our decisions as a team,” Gore said. “We still handle
most of our own bookings, although we do sometimes use a booking agent.”
Ward said there are two reasons for
the independent stand.
“Frankly, it’s cheaper,” he said, “and second, it’s what we make
of it. We are the only ones who can take the credit or the blame. It was our work, our music that brought us to the attention
of the people who are now giving us a bigger break. It wasn’t someone else doing the work for us – it was our
band that made it happen, our music. We’re proud of that.”
The band is looking forward to performing at
a July concert in Raleigh featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
“We don’t know yet if we’ll be
on stage with her or not,” Ward said.
Concerts like that one allow the bands to do more of their own music –
another indication that Pyromatic is coming of age.
“We still do the four-hour shows,” Ward said. “Those
help with the money. But we’re starting to get the shows where you walk in and your name’s on the marquee. Those
are the ones where people want to hear our music, not necessarily somebody else’s. That’s a great feeling.”
For
more information about the band, as well as an updated list of area concerts and venues, go to www.pyromatic.net.
Interviews
Interview with Blondy Rock Promotions
1. What is your stage name, as a solo artist or band?
PYROMATIC
2. How did
you come up with your name?
DAN: I WANTED SOMETHING WITH “MATIC” IN IT. BRET CALLED ME UP ONE DAY AND SAID
“WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PYROMATIC”…FUNNY ENOUGH I HAD THOUGHT OF THAT ONE MYSELF SO WE RAN WITH IT.
3.
What genres do you play? What is your main genre?
WAYLON: ROCK…TILL DEATH DO US PART!!!
4. If you are
part of a band, who is all in the band and what instrument does everybody play? If you are a solo artist, do you have a band
who plays for you?
BRET: I’M ON THE VOX.
MILTON: DAN AND I SWITCH UP LEAD AND RHYTHM GUITARS
WAYLON: I
HANDLE THE LOW END ON BASS
HEATH: DRUMS
5. Who is doing the interview?
PYROMATIC: WE’RE ALL HERE
6.
Where are you located?
MILTON: FROM THE METROPOLIS OF WHITEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
7. When were you established,
as a solo artist or band?
DANIEL: BRET, WAYLON, AND I GREW UP TOGETHER AND PLAYED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT BANDS TOGETHER.
AS FAR AS PYROMATIC…I BELIEVE IT WAS ESTABLISED SOMEWHERE AROUND 2003-2004.
8. Who has influenced you?
BRET:
THE STRONGEST OBVIOUSLY COMES FROM 80’S AND 90’S HARD ROCK. AC/DC, AEROSMITH, GUNS N’ ROSES, MOTLEY CRUE,
AND KISS TO NAME A FEW. LATELY OUR INFLUENCES HAVE BEEN FOCUSED MORE ON SONGWRITERS AND PRODUCERS.
9. Who do you think
you sound like?
MILTON: I HOPE THE GREATEST ROCK BAND YOU’VE EVER HEARD!
WAYLON: …AND IF NOT, AT LEAST
THE SECOND.
10. Who is your favourite bands and artists? Why?
BRET: GOTTA BE KISS FOR ME…IN AND OUT OF
THE MAKEUP, DOESN’T MATTER…ALL THE THEATRICS
DAN: AC/DC. I’M STILL PISSED THAT I HAVE ALL THE ALBUMS
AND EVERYONE IN THE BAND GOT TO SEE THEM LIVE…EXCEPT FOR ME.
WAYLON: MINE IS DEFINATLEY MOTLEY CRUE. NEED I SAY MORE.
MILTON:
VAN HALEN…THE ROTH YEARS
HEATH: KOOL & THE GANG, EARTH WIND & FIRE, AND MARVIN GAYE THE EARLY YEAR…YOU
KNOW BEFORE HE WAS MURDERED BY HIS BLOOD FATHER.
11. What is the goal for yourself(solo artist) or band? What would
you like to achieve as a musician?
BRET: FOR OUR MUSIC TO BE HEARD BY EVERY LIVING SOUL ON THE PLANET. WHETHER THEY
LIKE IT NOT.
12. When and where was your first gig or show? Any story you would like to share about that? Funny or
otherwise.
DAN: OUR FIRST SHOW WAS IN A SMALL PLACE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA. NOT REALLY FUNNY BUT OUR LIGHT
OPERATOR ATE AND DRANK US OUT OF OVER $100 THAT NIGHT.
13. What is your favourite song you have performed? And why?
BRET:
OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IS ONE OF OUR OWN CALLED “TAKE A CHANCE ON ME”. IT’S JUST GOT ONE OF THOSE CHORUSES
THAT THE CROWD CAN SING ALONG WITH.
16. Have you ever played with a famous band? As a backup or alongside with?
DAN:
MANY OF OUR HEROES INCLUDING MEMBERS OF GUNS N’ ROSES, QUIET RIOT, PUDDLE OF MUDD, AND LOVE/HATE. WE’VE ALSO OPENED
FOR THE JACKYL AND THE BULLETBOYS.
17. Do you have someone who you would like to thank.? Someone who has helped you
along the way?
HEATH: I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MYSELF. BECAUSE WITHOUT ME WE WOULDN’T BE
DOING THIS…AND…YEAH…THAT WILL DO.
PYROMATIC: YES THANK YOU HEATH FOR ALL OF THIS
18. Are you
signed to a label?
DAN: WE STARTED OUR OWN LABEL CALLED “ROCK ROOM RECORDS”.
19. Do you have cds
out? What are their titles. Where can people purchase them?
BRET: WE HAVE RECENTLY RELEASED OUR DEBUT ALBUM CALLED
“REELS & STILLS”. RIGHT NOW CDS CAN BE PURCHASED ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW. PYROMATIC. NET, AND CAN ALSO BE DOWNLOADED ON ITUNES AND RHAPSODY. THERE ARE MORE OUTLETS FOR PURCHASE COMING UP APRIL
7, 2009, SO KEEP CHECKING OUR SITE FOR UPDATES.
20. Do you have any videos of you on YouTube or Myspace video?
MILTON:
BOTH! CHECK OUR MYSPACE OUT AT WWW. MYSPACE. COM/PYROMATICMUSIC21. Do you have cds soon to be released, when are they being released? Or do you have cds in the
works?
DAN: WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PRE-PRODUCTION STAGE OF OUR SECOND ALBUM. THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING YOUR OWN
RECORD LABEL IS BEING ABLE TO WORK ON OUR OWN TERMS.
22. Do you have an upcoming tour or show that you would like to
advertise?
HEATH: WE WILL BE AT “CRUEFEST” IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA ON JUNE 14, 2009. FOR OTHER DATES, JUST
CHECK OUR WEBSITE OR MYSPACE. IF YOU JOIN OUR MAILING LIST YOU WILL GET THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PYROMATIC NEWS. IT’S FREE,
SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE.
23. Have you ever had media coverage? Like magazines, radio shows?
MILTON: ABSOLUTELY.
SEVERAL LOCAL PAPERS AND NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINES, YOU CAN READ A LOT OF REVIEWS AND ARTICLES ON PYROMATIC. NET.
25. Any last things you would like to share with people?
BRET: CHECK OUT OUR NEW CD
“REELS AND STILLS”, AND WE’LL BE SEEING YOU ON THE ROAD.
____________________________________________________
An interview with PYROMATIC
by: DMG
Q: For the record what is the name of your band or are you a solo artist?
EVERYONE:
Pyromatic
Q: And your name and what do you play in the band? (if solo artist do you play any instruments?)
BRET
WARD - Lead vocals
DAN FAULK - Guitar / Background vocals
WAYLON HAZE – Bass / Background vocals
MILTON GORE
– Guitar
HEATH WARD – Drums
Q: Can you please tell how us how your band became a band/how you became
an artist?
BRET: We all knew each other before the band. Me and Heath are brothers, Dan, Waylon and I grew up together
and went to the same school. Milton gave Dan guitar lessons.
Q: Where are you/or the band originally from?
WAYLON:
We are all from just outside of a small town called Whiteville, NC.
Q: How would you categorize your band or music?
(Hard rock, metal, rock, pop, death metal, punk)
DAN: It's a mix between Rock and Pop.
Q: When did you/or the
band play their first concert?
BRET: July 31, 2004 in Myrtle Beach, SC
Q: What is the biggest crowd you and/or
the band have ever played for?
HEATH: We played with Jackyl this year in Jacksonville, NC and I would guess that there
were around 1000 or so people there.
Q: So what is your favorite song either that you perform or you like from your
album/s?
MILTON: We have a song called "Take a Chance on Me" we close with it every show. It's kinda like our "Rock
and Roll all Nite". We love to play it. It just seems to get the band and the crowd going at the same time.
Q:
So what can people expect to see at one of your shows that have never seen a show of yours before?
BRET: Energy! When
we are doing a 45 min to an hour set, we go all out. We try to put as much energy into the show as we can. There's constant
movement. We only stop to sing or catch our breath; we love to get the crowd in the show too. There is a lot of interaction
with the crowd. If you pay to see a show, then that's what you should get!
Q: How many times do you perform a month?
DAN:
It depends; if we are not working on writing or recording we might have multiple shows booked every week. If we are working
in the studio we might not do a show for a month or better. So it all depends on what we are focusing on at the time.
Q:
What is the weirdest thing a fan has done for you?
EVERYONE: laughs
BRET: Well there are some things that are just
better not answered, but I can remember one dude that wanted my hat. I wore a red cowboy hat at a show and after the show
we were shaking hands and talking with some of the crowd and this guy wants my hat. He tries to trade his shades and wrist
watch for it. He also tried to buy it for 50$.
Q: Do you think my space is the place to help undiscovered musicians
and solo artists?
WAYLON: Defiantly, It's one of the best tools a new artist has for promotion right now.
Q:
What are your music goals?
MILTON: To reach as many people as we can with our music.
Q: What's one thing you
would suggest you need if you want be in music biz?
HEATH: Patience! The faster you learn that you're not going to
go from nobody's to Superstars over night, the better chance you have of making a good run in the business.
Q: Was
music your passion since you were young?
BRET: Yea, I remember growing up in the grunge era, and everybody that somewhat
played guitar or drums wanted to learn "Smells like Teen Sprit", which is NOT a very challenging song to play. We want to
learn "Hot for Teacher", we wanted learn how to tap on guitar or play a double bass drum kit. I always thought it was kinda
funny all of these guys would laugh at us for playing these older songs and say stuff like why are playing that old sh*t,
you're obviously not good enough to play anything new. It was always great knowing that we warmed up with stuff they still
can't play today.
Q: Are there any new artists out there you like or recommend to people?
DAN: A national
band would have to be Buckcherry. Locally there is a band out of Raleigh, NC called Smashed Alley that is really good.
Q:
What's one question that you tired of people asking you?
HEATH: The animal question. You know if you were an animal
what would it be.
Q: Who are you influences?
MILTON: Bands like Van Halen, or Ac/Dc. All the bands that set
the bar for any new rock band to shoot for.
DAN: Since we do our own recording we are also influenced by the legendary
producers like Mutt Lang and Bob Rock the guys that help make all of those timeless albums like "Back in Black" and "Dr. Feelgood".
Q:
Who is the one band you would like to tour with?
HEATH: Maybe someone like Motley Crue or Aerosmith, a group that has
been around long enough to say they have stood the test of time. That way we could introduce ourselves to their fan base,
which consists of a least three generations of fans.
Q: What do you think of the major record labels nowadays? Do you
prefer independent or major? And why?
BRET: There are so many record labels today it's crazy. Anyone that has a microphone
and a computer can start a record label. I mean look at us, we started our own label. Between an independent and a major label,
they both have their ups and downs. The major label can get you more exposure faster but if you don't deliver a money making
song soon you're out. An indie label might work with you and help you find your sound or image but, you might never get enough
exposure for it to count. So they both have their good and bad qualities.
Q: Where do you see the band or yourself
in the next five years?
DAN: I hope we are doing the same thing we are doing right now, just on a larger scale.
Q:
What does your band or your music sound like? Or how would you describe your sound to someone who has not ever heard your
music?
MILTON: Just straight forward rock n roll that's full of hooks.
Q: If you could be one animal what would
it be and why?
EVERYONE: Laughing
WAYLON: No comment. Laughing
Q: Do you ever get compared to
any band?
BRET: People compare my voice to Bret Michaels of Poison all the time, so I guess because of that we are
compared to them a lot.
Q: Do you think your band/music can make a difference in the music scene and if so how?
HEATH:
I think the music scene is so spread out now that hardly anyone can make a difference. I don't think that is exactly a bad
thing, it just means you might not make an impact with as many fans as an artist once could. Fifteen years ago not as many
people were as open to different music genres as they are today. Today a lot of ipods are filled with any and everything from
rock to rap, from country to swing, and everything in between. It's good that you might connect with more fans but they might
not be as dedicated to buy all of your albums they may only care about just a song or two.
Q: What is so different
about your band/music that should make people want to listen to your music?
WAYLON: We try to give the fans what they
want. Everything is based around the fans point of view. We work very hard on writing songs that we think our fans will enjoy
and work just as hard giving them their moneys worth at a show.
Q: Do you enjoy what you do or did you start out doing
it because it was the "cool thing to do" (be honest, some people just do it to get laid/drugs etc)
MILTON: It has always
been about the music. From writing it to playing it for the fans, it's all about our love for music.
Q: Best thing
you like about music?
HEATH: The vibe, all of our songs have a strong vibe that just makes you want to party.
Q:
Best thing about your fans?
DAN: The dedication, we have some fans that have pretty much never miss a show. They are
the greatest.
Q: Favorite aspect of being a musician?
BRET: Playing live, I can't describe the feeling of playing
to a crowd of screaming people.
Q: Your greatest accomplishment:
MILTON: As a band, I think our new album coming
out in July called "Reels & Stills" it is our first full length album.
Q: Hobbies & interests besides
music:
HEATH: I love to boat and dive.
BRET: Just being outdoors.
WAYLON: I like to play poker.
Q:
Your most prized possession is:
HEATH: My divorce! Laughing
Q: If there was one person in history dead or alive
you could meet who would it be and why?
BRET: Rodney Dangerfield, need I say more?
Q: If there was one
musician or band dead or alive you could meet who would it be and why?
MILTON: Randy Rhoads, he was one of the greatest!
Q:
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things could you NOT live without?
DAN: food, water, and shelter. Laughing
WAYLON:
Music, beer, and women.
Q: First album you ever bought?
BRET: Kiss "Smashes Thrashes and Hits"
Q: Do
you have any hidden talents?
EVERYONE: No. Laughing
DAN: It's music or nothing. Laughing
Q: What is
currently playing in your ipod or cd player?
WAYLON: The new Motley Crue album.
FAVORITES:
BRET
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite book: The heroin Diaries
Favorite movie: Friday
Favorite song: No way to answer
that
Favorite album: Too many to even try
Favorite quote: Your mama!
Q: When you were growing up,
do you remember listening to any bands in particular?
DAN: The big ones Van Halen, Def Leppard, Kiss, bands like that.
Q:
Do you think any band should give it up and call it a day? If so, why?
Bret: No, if they are still enjoying what they
do, they should keep at it.
Q: Lately who is your favorite band?
WAYLON: Buckcherry
Q: What do you think
of the local music scene nowadays?
BRET: The scene in Myrtle Beach is bad right now. It was growing fast, until some
of the local venue owners started trying to get greedy. One really cool venue that hosted local and national acts was actually
bringing the scene back until one of the owners got greedy and ended up cutting the venue's own throat with bad business decisions.
There are still some venues and promoters that are still working ..ing the scene, it's just gonna take more people getting
involved.
Q: Do you have a website people can check out?
DAN: You can check us out at www. pyromatic. net and www. myspace. com/pyromaticmusic
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
BRET: Come see us live and don't forget
to pick up a copy of our new album "Reels & Stills". Go to the website for more info.
