The Music He Left Behind: Honoring Joey Mazzone's Wish For His Music To Live On!

Many early mornings — four, sometimes five a.m. — I wake not to an alarm, but to the soft murmur of voices drifting through my head. What I write about today. This morning was different. I woke to a voice rising straight out of my heart. After reading the obituary for Joey Mazzone last night, I opened my eyes early this morning with a quiet certainty that I needed to speak — to write — about this remarkable friend, musician, and truly awesome man. 

I remember that early day in August, just a month ago, when the weight of losing a friend settled over me — a friend I now wish I’d had the chance to be closer to. It was one of those still, fragile mornings when the world feels thinner, and the things you didn’t say echo louder than the ones you did. 

So today, I say my peace through my writing. 

I was blessed to have Joey in my life for only a short stretch of years, crossing paths in the world of music—in the rooms where he played what he loved and where I wrote about what I loved: music!

 I remember Joey always inviting Dorrie and me to his upcoming gigs; We made as many as we could, and now I find myself wishing we would have made even more! 

Many times, Joey and I would sit together at an empty table and talk about life and music. I remember him as a deeply friendly soul — soft‑spoken offstage, carrying himself with a gentle ease — but the moment he stepped under the lights, he sang loud and proud. I listened to his music not just for the melody, but for the words. So many of his songs were stories, pieces of his life woven into verses and choruses. Through our conversations, and even more through the lyrics he wrote, it was clear how much Joey loved music — how much he loved sharing it with the world. 

He lived with a quiet pain most people never saw, me included, and his greatest relief came from creating the songs that carried him through. My own relief in losing my friend comes from knowing he’s in Heaven now — no pain, no weight — and still making his music.

One thing I do know is that Joey had one clear wish: for his music to live on. That was his heartbeat, his hope, the thing he wanted to leave behind for the world. So here is my part in helping that wish along. To all my readers of my blog, to my followers and subscribers, and to my friends on Facebook, I ask you to join me — hit the link below, listen, share, and keep his songs moving forward. Let’s help Joey Mazzone’s wish to come true. Let's keep his music alive!

Rest in peace, Joey.

Love you always, my brother in music.

7.15.1999 - 8.7.2026

Gary England

Mourning My Life   Share Please 

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Boomerang: The Heartbreak Of Loving Someone Who Keeps Coming Back Broken!

 

Listen To Boomerang On Spotify

{My Take}

Folks, we all know somebody who’s been dragged through the darker backroads of life. The ones who drink ‘til their buddies can’t recognize ’em… the ones who stare into the mirror and don’t see the same soul looking back. They swear off the bottle, only to get yanked right back into that same old storm.

This song is for them—every friend, every brother, every sister who’s been caught in that hard‑living loop. Boomerang is dedicated to the ones still fighting to find their way home!

{The Story Behind The Song}

Underneath all the dust and neon lights of Las Vegas, Boomerang is a story about a man trapped in a hard‑hitting loop. He’s a man caught in a sorrowful loop — drinking until he turns into a stranger nobody knows anymore, not even the folks who love him most. Every time he slips back into those old ways, he fades into a ghost of the man he used to be, leaving nothing but worry and empty space behind. And somehow, he still manages to stand back up… only to tumble right back into the same hurting cycle that breaks hearts every time it comes around.

Underneath the story is a bigger truth. Boomerang isn’t just about alcohol — it’s about how easy it is for any of us to lose ourselves to the wrong things. Addiction, bad choices, toxic love, chasing ambition too hard, carrying grief too long… all those forces can slowly bend a person into someone their loved ones barely recognize. That “ghost” in the song is a symbol of that painful transformation — when you look in the mirror and don’t see the same soul staring back, and when the people who care about you feel like they’re losing you one piece at a time.

I want you to listen to the song yourself. See if it reminds you of someone close to you. See if it hits you the way it hit me.

Sometimes a song doesn’t just tell a story — it shines a light on one we’ve lived ourselves!

Gary England

{The Music Artist}

To learn more about Country Music Artist Steve Heath, dive into the links below and get to know the man behind the music.

Steve Heath Facebook

Steve Heath Instagram

Neon Desert Band

Steve Heath On Spotify

Right Time Right Place And Work Your Butt Off: The Road To Discovery In The Music Industry

 

Classic rock and country don’t just lead the tribute & cover‑band world — they rule it like outlaw kings. The crowds crave it, Vegas management eats it up, and every weekend this town turns into a neon‑lit proving ground for musicians who are one lucky break away from the big stage. These players aren’t hobbyists; they’re what I call “Right Time, Right Place” musicians — the kind of artists who, when the right set of eyes and ears lock onto them, they disappear overnight and reappear on a tour bus headed straight for rock stardom! After conversations with some movers & shakers in the music industry, and a few heavy-duty rockers in the biz. Here is what they said.

Vegas doesn’t hand out fame — it tests you, breaks you in, and then dares you to rise above the neon noise. The musicians who make the leap from local legend to rising star are the ones who treat every stage like a launchpad and every crowd like a scouting session. This city is a pressure cooker for talent, and the decision‑makers — the producers, bookers, A&R hunters, festival curators — are always scanning for the next spark loud enough to shake the industry. The fast track isn’t about luck alone; it’s about showing up everywhere, sounding unmistakably like yourself, keeping your digital footprint razor‑sharp, and flooding the world with your music until the right ears finally lock in. Vegas rewards the bold, the relentless, and the artists who play like the spotlight is already theirs!

Local musicians who want to get seen by the power players of the music industry have to attack the Vegas grind like it’s a nightly audition for the rest of their lives. That means playing relentlessly — every bar, lounge, festival, jam night, anywhere a stage and a power outlet exist — because the more you show up, the more chances you create for the right set of eyes to land on you. It means carving out a signature sound that punches through the noise and makes people remember you after one song, not ten. It means keeping your social media sharp and professional, dropping high‑quality recordings that prove you’re the real deal, and getting your music on Spotify and every major platform so industry scouts can find you even when they’re not in the room. It means networking with intent, showing up at showcases and songwriter nights where gatekeepers actually gather, collaborating with other artists to expand your reach, and building a loyal local following that packs rooms and forces people to pay attention. In Vegas, the musicians who rise are the ones who stay loud, stay visible, and stay ready — because the moment opportunity walks through the door, you don’t get a second chance to hit that first note.

{My Take}

At the end of the day, breaking out of the local circuit isn’t magic — it’s momentum. The musicians who rise are the ones who grind harder, play louder, stay visible, and treat every night like the universe might be watching. Rock stardom has always been a cocktail of sweat, timing, and a little cosmic luck — but the legends remind us that luck only shows up for the ones who never stop swinging. As Tom Petty said, “You have to work hard. You have to give it everything.” And Billy Idol nailed it even cleaner: “Luck comes from working your ass off.” Keep pushing, keep playing, keep showing up — because in Vegas, the break comes fast, and the ones who earn it are the ones who never stop chasing the spark.

Gary England

Tribute Artists vs Original Music: Bringing Original Music To Light!

 The Vegas music scene is a wild, neon‑lit beast! Loud on the surface, louder underneath, and full of stories that never make it past the bar chatter. Everyone talks about tribute bands ruling Las Vegas while original music gets shoved behind the curtain, but I’ve been lucky enough to hear what really goes down. As a rock writer, I get the inside track on the locals who bleed their own songs into the desert air. Some of those tracks live only in their heads, some make it to the bar‑room stages, and a few Vegas bands cranking out their own original fire are perched right on the edge of blowing the doors off this town and launching themselves straight onto the long, winding highways of the touring circuit! $$$$

I’ve heard original tunes that hit harder than half the stuff being covered in this city. In my opinion, some of these songs are so strong that they stand a good chance of becoming tributes someday. A lot of these artists are already pushing their originals onto platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp, which is a killer start, but they still need ears, attention, and a spotlight that actually points them in the right direction to fans that dig the original songs.

Here's where I usually say it's My Take; this time, it's my little experiment with your help.

So, here’s the deal. I’ve got a little blog with a not‑so‑little audience, some friends in high places, and people who seem to pay attention when I talk.

Vegas musicians & bands:

If you’re out there grinding, writing, recording, and dropping original tracks, send me your links. Shoot me your songs, your contact info, and let’s talk. I’ll blast your music out to the world through my platform and make sure your originals don’t stay hidden in the shadows.

Vegas bands. Vegas songwriters. Vegas creators. If you’ve got the fire, I’ll help carry the flame!

It's on you now. Message me on Facebook or hit me up with an email: garyenglandemail@gmail.com

Gary England

facebook.com/garyenglandlv

Rob Hussey Leads A Full Scale Neon‑Fueled Rock Riot With Cyanide’s New Hit And Music Vid "Get Up And Dance"

 It's good to be home! And I'm back just in time for a hot one!

Las Vegas just got slapped with a full‑throttle sonic uppercut, courtesy of Rob Hussey, Vegas rock machine who writes it, shreds it, produces it, films it, and performs it like he’s got nitro in his veins. His band Cyanide just dropped their newest burner, “Get Up and Dance,” and both the track and the video are already detonating across the scene like a stack of amps pushed past their redline!

The music video hit YouTube Thursday night at 9 PM Pacific, and the second it went live, it felt like someone flipped the switch on a Vegas power surge. I spun the track on Spotify, cranked up the volume, and watched the video twice back‑to‑back — this vid is straight up Vegas Hot, no filter, no brakes!

“Get Up and Dance” is a high‑octane hard‑rock rager, built on monster riffs, skyscraper‑sized hooks, and that classic arena‑rock DNA that makes you want to stomp, shout, and throw horns until sunrise. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t ask you to move — it orders you to.

Cyanide On Spotify

Get Up And Dance On Spotify

And the video?

It's a pure chaos nuclear cinema explosion!

Fire blasting, lights strobing, bodies flying, the whole thing dripping with that wild‑child, Sin City swagger. It’s a love letter to the golden age of hard rock, but shot through a modern, adrenaline‑soaked lens only Rob Hussey could pull off. This is rock ’n’ roll with gasoline poured on top!

"Official Music Video"

Cyanide didn’t just release a song — they launched a party grenade into the Vegas music scene. And judging by the early buzz, the blast radius is global!

To Rob and the boys: thanks for keeping the Vegas rock heartbeat pounding loud enough for the world to feel it.

Cyanide just lit the fuse! “Get Up and Dance” proves real rock still hits like a desert thunderbolt. Turn it up, watch the vid, feel the burn, and ride the chaos that Rob Hussey & Cyanide bring to the local LV Music Scene!

Gary England

cyaniderocks.com

Cyanide YouTube Channel 

Cyanide Facebook

Rob Hussey Facebook

LaHi Cassiano - Guitar

Greg Percuoco - Guitar

Greg Montoya - Bass

Ryan Gillan - Drums

Keith Robert War - Featured Artist

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My Interview With Rob Hussey About The Making Of His Album: Cyanide Rally The Troops With A 21 Gun Salute Heard Around The World!

 In a year already brimming with nostalgia-fueled comebacks, Las Vegas-based hard rock band Cyanide has delivered a thunderous statement of intent with their latest album, 21 Gun Salute. Fronted by veteran vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Rob Hussey, the 12-track release is a molten cocktail of attitude, anthems, and all-star collaborations that pays homage to the band’s roots while aiming squarely at the future.

(Rob Hussey)

21 Gun Salute was a true labor of love. After a few years of delays, recording finally commenced in August 2022. So many aspects of my life blew up around me during the making of this album.

Many times it seemed as if this record would never be finished. A lot of obstacles were overcome. The finished product is a testament to hard work, courage and resilience as my world disintegrated around me.

Released on October 17, 2025 via Kivel Records, 21 Gun Salute is Cyanide’s most ambitious project to date. It’s a sonic blitzkrieg that fuses sleaze, swagger, and social commentary — all wrapped in a production sheen that doesn’t sand down the band’s raw edge.

Rob Hussey, who also co-produced the album, leads a tight core lineup featuring Greg Montoya on bass, Rob Hussey on lead vocals, Paul Courtois on drums, and LaHi Cassiano on lead guitar. Plus, a guest list for the album that will definitely turn some heads: Oz Fox, Jeff Duncan, John Zito, Keith Robert War, Erik Johnson, and Jeremy Varao make multiple appearances, adding texture and punch to the album’s layered sound!

Track Highlights

• “Fireball” (feat. Oz Fox) kicks off the album’s high-octane streak with blistering solos and a chorus built for arenas.

• “Back the Fk Off”** (feat. John Zito) is a snarling, riff-heavy warning shot that channels classic Sunset Strip aggression.

• “21 Gun Salute” (feat. Keith Robert War), the title track, is a mid-tempo anthem that blends military imagery with personal defiance — a fitting centerpiece for the album’s themes of resilience and rebellion.

• “Social Media Disease” (feat. Oz Fox) takes a scathing swipe at digital addiction, pairing biting lyrics with a groove-laden hook.

(Rob Hussey)

Songs like Back the Fuck Off, Social Media Disease, Take What You Want and As the World Burns directly address many of these obstacles. A very dark heavy vibe was added to the record and these songs from these experiences bring hints of Metallica, Priest, Maiden, Slayer and Anthrax to our sound. As with the first album, there are also much happier party vibes found in songs like Get Up and Dance, Slip N Slide and Sweet Little Trash. These songs conjure old school vibes of Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Van Halen, KISS, Def Leppard and Poison that are instantly memorable and familiar.

A painful ballad about the demise of a relationship and a cover of the Climax Blues Band classic I Love You round out the 12 song set in true arena rock fashion. Thanks to Jason Constantine for keys/synth and La’Shana Smith for piano on these tracks. The album was produced by Ty Sims, who took over for departed producer Jason Constantine, and co-produced by Rob Hussey, who also played drums, bass and rhythm guitar on the album and wrote 9 of the 12 songs solo. Hussey teamed up with former guitarist Marc Mersol on 21 Gun Salute, and his late dear friend Danny Goldstein on Rock and Roll Army.

For Rob Hussey, 21 Gun Salute is more than just a record — it’s a mission statement. “This album is about standing your ground,” he’s said in recent interviews. “It’s for the misfits, the survivors, the ones who still believe in the power of a great riff and a raw lyric.”

That ethos bleeds through every track, from the satirical bite of “We Want You!” to the emotional vulnerability of “Never Let Me Go” (feat. Jeff Duncan). Even the closing ballad, “I Love You,” feels like a defiant embrace rather than a surrender.

Cyanide has long been a fixture in the Vegas rock scene, known for their explosive live shows and unapologetic attitude. With 21 Gun Salute, they’ve crafted a record that feels both timely and timeless, a love letter to hard rock’s golden age, filtered through the lens of modern chaos.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of ’80s metal or a newcomer looking for something with teeth, 21 Gun Salute delivers the goods. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it doesn’t flinch.

(Rob Hussey)

This album has something for all fans of the classic period of metal that dominated the airwaves from 1981 to 1991. A true salute to the decade of decadence. The title track 21 Gun Salute is a tribute to the troops of the USA and everything they have sacrificed for us, with a rocking AC/DC/KISS/Crüe vibe that will have you raising your fist in the air!

21 Gun Salute is now streaming everywhere. The album had over 150k streams in its first weekend of release October 17th. The CD is available to purchase thru Kivel Records at www.kivelrecords.com/store and also thru Eonian Records.

R.I.P. to the fond and loving memories of Ozzy Osbourne, Eddie Van Halen and Ace Frehley who we all lost during the making of this album. Their influence and legacy will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to Count’s Vamp’d, Danny and Korie Koker and the Count’s 77 family for all of their support over the years. Vamp’d will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Thanks to everyone that helped out and contributed to the making of 21 Gun Solute!

~Rob Hussey~

{My Take}

With 21 Gun Salute, Cyanide, and Rob Hussey have fired off more than just a new album, they’ve delivered a declaration of identity, grit, and unapologetic rock 'n' roll spirit. It’s a record that doesn’t just echo the past; it reloads it for a new generation, with blistering riffs, defiant lyrics, and a lineup that feels like a who’s who of hard rock credibility. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer drawn to the fire, this album stands tall as a battle cry for those who still believe in the power of guitars, guts, and glory.

To all the members of Cyanide, all the guest artists on the album, and to Kivel Records.

This Fan and Music Journalist Salutes You!

All's well that ends well!

What's next for Rob Hussey, and for Cyanide?

Only time will tell.

GE

Check these links for more information about Cyanide, their music, and where you can catch them live. 

Cyanide Facebook

Cyanide Instagram

Cyanide Official Website

Cyanide YouTube

Cyanide On Apple Music

Cyanide On Spotify 

Cyanide 21 Gun Salute On Kivel Records

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Three Lock Box Velvet Chains Headline Count's Vamp'd Las Vegas

Friday night, May 16th, 2025

Arriving at the club.

The familiar rumble of amps echoed from inside Count’s Vamp’d, with a sense of change hanging deeply in the air. Tonight was more than just another rock show with two amazing bands. It was like a love letter to one of Las Vegas’s most iconic live music venues, soon to close its doors after years of championing the city’s classic rock music scene. For fans, musicians, and loyal regulars, it wasn’t just about the bands on stage; it was about honoring the legacy of Count's Vamp'd, a place that's given so many local and touring bands a home and has given thousands of fans (Including Me) some unforgettable memories!

Opening the night was Velvet Chains, who I call one of the fastest rising stars of the hard rock scene. Velvet Chains took the stage and gave the packed house a blistering, high-energy performance. Highlighting the band's dynamic blend of hard rock and melodic hooks. With a BaDD-A$$ look and sound that you won't soon forget!

Band Members: (Pictured Left to Right)

• Nils Goldschmidt – Bass, Backing Vocals

• Philip Paulsen – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

• Chaz Terra – Lead Vocals

• Jason Hope – Drums

• Von Boldt – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

About Velvet Chains - "The fastest rising stars of the hard rock scene".

Velvet Chains’ biggest opportunities so far have been the 2024 South American run with Slash, Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators, and the May 2025 Brazil support dates with Stone Temple Pilots. 

On the U.S. side, they’ve steadily built local credits, frequently opening for hard-rock mainstays Todd Kerns and L.A. Guns at venues such as Count’s Vamp’d and The House of Blues.

Festival appearances (e.g., Porão do Rock) show the band branching beyond club supports into mixed-genre outdoor bills, exposing them to broader audiences around the world.

This lineup reflects the band's evolution, with Chaz Terra and Philip Paulsen joining in 2025, bringing fresh energy to the group. Long-standing member Nils Goldschmidt, who founded the band in 2018, continue to anchor Velvet Chains' signature sound. Catch their unique brand of hard rock music on Spotify < Velvet Chains Channel > Velvet Chains Official Website   Velvet Chains Facebook

Better yet, catch one of their upcoming shows! {Velvet Chains Calendar}

Take it from this music journalist, these guys Rock Hard!

Three Lock Box.

To me, Three Lock Box is the next best thing to the Red Rocker himself!

Band Members (Pictured Left to Right)

• Danny Robert on drums
• Brenda Fitz on keys
• Merry Adin on bass/vocals
• JC Martinez, known as "Sin City Sammy (Jay Cee) on lead vocals
• Sherri Klein as their Sexy Dancer
• Steve Heath on guitar/vocals

What can you say about this amazing band? They covered over 20 songs in a little over an hour and a half. Brought in Super Rockers Rob Hussey, John Zito, and Stoney Curtis to heat up the party. 

Three Lock Box covered the entire era of Sammy Hagar. From the beginnings of Montrose, to fronting Van Halen, Chickenfoot, to The Circle. Dedicating "Dreams" to the entire staff of Vamp'd, and to owners Danny & Korie Koker. Ending their final performance inside Vamp'd with "There's Only One Way To Rock".

Three Lock Box Set List 5/16/2025

As the final roar of “I Can’t Drive 55” and "There's Only One Way To Rock" dissolved into feedback and the house lights in Count’s Vamp’d snapped from crimson to white, something lingered in the air—part tequila haze, part shared nostalgia, all pure rock-and-roll camaraderie. Three Lock Box didn’t merely revisit Sammy Hagar’s back-catalog; they reminded a packed Vegas room why these songs still rev the collective engine four decades on. 

Three Lock Box Facebook   Three Lock Box Official Website 

If Count’s Vamp’d truly is steering toward its last curtain call, May 16, 2025, proved it can still throw one hell of a party!

I'll Drink To That!

GE

#NationalNewsMedia #WorldwideEntertainmentNetwork #USAT #LasVegasReviewJournal #LasVegasSun #LasVegasWeekly #VegasInsider #GaryEngland

Facebook Event Link 

Count's Vamp'd Facebook 

Count's Vamp'd Official Website