Interview: Garrett Ficacci of The Gay Agenda

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to post another interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite artists. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone and have begun picking the brains of some phenomenal musicians. This time I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to interview Garrett Ficacci of The Gay Agenda.

The Gay Agenda is a “homo riot hardcore punk outfit” from San Diego, CA. According to Ficacci, “The band was the brainchild of David Hurtt from some years ago, wanting to create heavy punk music while being unapologetically, irreverently, and identifiably queer.” They formed in 2017, released a self-titled EP in 2018, and now they’ve released their first full-length album. Their album Penetrating was released in June 2020 via La Escalera Records, preceded by a single for “Homo Riot” featuring Justin Pearson (Locust, Retox, and Dead Cross). Their debut album is provocatively titled Penetrating (and has equally provocative cover art). Continue reading below for my full interview with Garrett Ficacci. All images copyright and courtesy of Becky DiGiglio and The Gay Agenda.

Concert Review: Nelly “Live From The Drive In” @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre 7/12/20 — St. Louis, MO

This weekend, Live Nation launched their first ever U.S. drive-in concert series – Live From The Drive In – marking a highly anticipated return to live, in person events in a safe and socially distanced manner. Nelly, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, El Monstero, and Yacht Rock Revue kicked off the series with performances across Nashville, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Country superstar Brad Paisley headlined the Live Nation U.S. drive-in concert series and all three stops were sold out; however, it was a particularly epic night for Nelly and St. Louis hip-hop fans — as Nelly celebrated the 20th anniversary of his album Country Grammar on Sunday at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.

In this “photo flashback” we’re taking a trip down memory lane w/ Nelly at the Hollywood Amphitheatre in Maryland Heights, MO (St. Louis) on July 12, 2020. Continue Reading below for more photos of Nelly and St. Lunatics from Live Nation’s “Live From The Drive In” concert series. All photos and videos copyright and courtesy of Live Nation, Getty Images, and Bieber Public Relations.

Concert Review: Brad Paisley “Live From The Drive In” Concert Series (Nashville, St. Louis, Indianapolis)

*Brad Paisley @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater*

Country superstar Brad Paisley headlined the Live Nation U.S. drive-in concert series and sold-out all three stops. The 90 minute concert was filled with career hits such as “Crushin’ It,” “Mud on the Tires,” “American Saturday Night,” “Then,” I’m Still A Guy,” “Ticks,” as well as his current single and fan favorite, “No I In Beer.” Paisley also surprised concert-goers with a special video duet with Carrie Underwood for their smash hit “Remind Me” and an opening comedy set from Kevin Nealon ahead of his performance in Nashville.Continue Reading below for more photos and video recaps of Brad Paisley’s performances from the Live Nation “Live From The Drive In” concert series. All photos and videos copyright and courtesy of Live Nation, Getty Images, and Bieber Public Relations.

Interview: Brad Price (Concert Photographer)

*Cannibal Corpse @ Merriweather Post Pavilion* *(Photo by Brad Price)*

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to announce another interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite concert photographers. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone and have begun picking the brains of some phenomenal photographers. My interviews in this series focus on “local” concert photographers. That is photographers around DC, MD, and VA. The DMV as we call it.

Anyway, check it out! I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to interview Brad Price. Brad is a talented up-and-coming concert photographer and has already covered some great musical artists. Brad loves music, live shows, and all types of photography; and he’s a member of the Hazy Eye Music Media team! Continue reading below for my full interview with Brad Price. All photos copyright and courtesy of Brad Price.

*Gwar @ Rams Head Live (Photo by Brad Price)*

Interview: Derek S. Abrams (3 Headed Snake & Ministry)

Derek S. Abrams

Abrams is an extremely proficient metal drummer. He has been playing since the age of seven, and professionally since the age of fifteen. In high school, he focused on jazz history, theory and composition. After high school, he embarked on an extensive study of world percussion and ethnic drumming. He is most known for being a touring drummer for the pioneering industrial-metal band, Ministry. Continue reading below for my full interview with Derek S. Abrams.

Album Review: Inlet by Hum

The reemergence of the band Hum is that of lost astronauts, revisiting the Earth, after over 20 years of flight. Their latest (and possibly greatest ) effort, Inlet, is massive. This is an album that undulates between the hardest and most ethereal they’ve ever been.The landing of this album has been met with a very warm welcome from fans. With the current restraints on live music performance still pending, I’d chalk Hum up to be one of the most anticipated bands to hit any stage in 2021.

In this album review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews Hum’s fifth studio album, Inlet, released on June 23, 2020. “This 8 song album is another opus from Talbott.” Continue reading for Joseph’s full review.

Interview: Max Ruehrmund (Concert Photographer)

*Moonrise Festival in Baltimore (Photo by Max Ruehrmund)*

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to announce another interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite concert photographers. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone and have been picking the brains of some phenomenal photographers. My interviews in this series focus on “local” concert photographers. That is photographers around DC, MD, and VA. The DMV as we call it.

Anyway, check it out! I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to interview Max Ruehrmund. Max is an extremely talented concert photographer and has covered a wide variety of concerts and music festivals. Max truly loves music and photography, and it shows in his work. All photos copyright and courtesy of Max Ruehrmund.

*Two Friends @ Echostage in DC (Photo by Max Ruehrmund)*

Interview: Rob Wallace (Concert Photographer)

Hazy Eye Music Media is proud to announce the second interview in a series of interviews I’m currently conducting with some of my favorite concert photographers. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone and have begun picking the brains of some phenomenal photographers. My interviews in this series focus on “local” concert photographers. That is photographers around DC, MD, and VA. The DMV as we call it.

Anyway, check it out! I, Andy Jillson, was fortunate enough to interview Rob Wallace. Rob is a topnotch concert photographer and has covered a wide variety of great musical artists. Rob truly loves music and photography, and it shows in his work. He is a member of the I.M.P. house photographer team and shoots at multiple venues around the DMV such as The Anthem, 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and Wolf Trap. Continue reading below for my full interview with Rob Wallace.

*Bring Me the Horizon (Photo by Rob Wallace)*

Interview: Nick Sadler (Daughters, Fang Island, Way Out, Mythless)

*Nick Sadler 2018 (Photo by Andy Jillson)*

Sadler is a musical artist most known as the guitarist for experimental rock band Daughters. He has established himself as unique guitar player and intensely passionate and creative musician. Continue reading below for my full interview with Nick Sadler.

Album Review: Don’t Bleed by Le Butcherettes

If you are a die hard fan of Teri Gender Bender and Le Butcherettes you were not disappointed with this new EP. If you recently discovered the band since the album’s release on Valentine’s Day, you were likely struck by Gender Bender’s crooked arrow of love.

From the opening track “Wounds Belong To Me” featuring Teri on acoustic guitar, singing into what sounds like an old cassette recorder, to the album’s closing track “Boom” dropping an 808 alongside contorted lead lines and idiosyncratic beats, and variations of electronic rock songs in between, Don’t Bleed is an eclectic 7 song journey through love and femininity’s deeper shades via one of rock music’s most colorful female artists.

In this album (EP) review Hazy Eye Music Media’s contributor Joseph Strand reviews Le Butcherettes’ Don’t Bleed released on February 14, 2020. “A must for burning and broken hearts alike.” Continue reading for Joseph’s full review. All words by Joseph Strand.