Marco D’Auria

VIDEO: You won’t believe it! Mail from Tim, Marco and Amazon!

Who doesn’t love musical mail?  Check out some thoughtful gifts from Tim Durling and Marco D’Auria, plus a really cool surprise from Amazon.

Marco and Tim were apparently on the same wavelength when these two parcels are sent.

Sometimes Amazon’s listings are not accurate, and you have to take a chance.  Fortunately their return policy makes things easy if you ordered the wrong thing.  In this case, I ordered a CD that I need for an upcoming show.  I found a Japanese import reasonably priced, but there was also a deluxe edition that I was told was really good.  Check out what happens next.  You won’t believe it!

#1159: The Community is Dead – Long Live the Community!

RECORD STORE TALES #1159:
The Community is Dead – Long Live the Community!

Once Upon A Time, the old WordPress music Community was an important part of our daily breakfast.  It was a wonderful way to connect and talk music with like-minded folks.  It was even a good way to seek support in our lives.

Then in 2023, the Community died.  I don’t know why, and I no longer care.  It’s possibly a “type of feint, or fake technique, whereby a player draws an opposing player out of position or skates by the opponent while maintaining possession and control of the puck.” People just…disappeared.  Ghosted.  I actually don’t want to know why.  “Let the past die,” Kylo Ren said.  “Kill it, if you have to.”  That is done, but not by my own hand.

I knew it was dead in 2024, when several people from the old Community refused to watch or acknowledge my trip to Toronto with Aaron, the Community’s spiritual leader.   It was a shunning, with intent.  Rest in peace, Community!

Whatever their issues are, I hope they find peace and harmony, wherever they went and whatever they are doing now.  I miss them. But there was a silver lining.

A new Community awaited me.  A bigger, more welcoming Community.  A Community that stretches from Australia to America, east coast to west, and up north to Canada.  A stronger Community. For me it began as the old Community died in 2023.  Marco D’Auria encouraged me to work with the Contrarians, and suddenly I started getting invites to appear on other shows, such as Rock Daydream Nation and My Music Corner.  With these fine folks, together, we have rebuilt what was lost.  Bigger, better, faster, stronger!

I welcome you to the Community!  A place where we support each other, collaborate, and celebrate the power of music!  A place where you will not be judged for your mistakes, nor shunned.

Welcome…I bid you welcome!

A Mighty Wind Appreciation, with Dan Chartrand, Uncle Meat & Johnny Metal

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 73:  A Mighty Wind Appreciation, with Dan Chartrand, Uncle Meat & Johnny Metal

In 2003, Christopher Guest unveiled his third improv comedy movie, following Waiting For Guffman (1996) and Best In Show (2000).  While each film has its focus (a small town play; a dog show), it was 2003’s A Mighty Wind that “tapped” into the spirit of music that made Guest a fan favourite in the first place.  This time it’s folk music!

The Folksmen are a fictional folk band that actually opened for Guest’s “other” band, Spinal Tap.  Ironically, all three members are the same:  Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer.  Together with Mitch & Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara) and the New Main Street Singers (Jane Lynch, John Michael Higgins, Parker Posey, Paul Dooley et. al.), the bands have reunited for a big folk show in New York City.   As he often does, Fred Willard stole the show in this film.

This hilarious comedy boasts an incredible soundtrack of originals and one cover (“Start Me Up”), and tonight I’ll be joined again by Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat to discuss it.  With them will be John “Johnny Metal” Clauser, who has wanted to do this topic with us for some time now.

You might not be as family with A Mighty Wind as you were with This Is Spinal Tap, but you won’t regret spending an hour with us tonight.  It may not be heavy metal, but good music is good music, and this soundtrack is loaded with great songs.  Join us tonight!

Friday October 4 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

“Tap” into the show! 40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

A huge thank you to Marco D’Auria of the Contrarians, Dan Chartrand of Off the Charts, and the near-legendary Uncle Meat for comprising our expert panel tonight.  The subject was Spinal Tap, the band and the music.  It may be fair to call Dan a “superfan”, as he had some Spinal Tap rarities that I don’t.  Dan provided some cool physical product, including CDs and LPs of This is Spinal Tap, Break Like the Wind, and he even unfolded his Back From the Dead CD packaging to show us what it looks like when it’s a little paper stage set.

Taking a cue from another big Spinal Tap fan, Peter Kerr, I stole a tactic from Rock Daydream Nation and did some discussion questions in rounds.  Here’s what we tackled:

  • Were you ever in the blissful unawareness that Spinal Tap was a fake band?  Or were you always in on the joke?
  • Evaluate the musicianship of Tap.
  • Pick a favourite song from the soundtrack.
  • Pick a favourite song from Break Like the Wind.  
  • And a quick discussion of Back from the Dead.

Along the way we discussed the history of Tap, both real and fictional.  We had a look at the DVD for the Return of Spinal Tap, and had a chat on that subject.  I peppered the panel with trivia throughout the night.  We had an insightful discussion about talent, and the three actors who played the central characters:  Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer.  We speculated on director Rob Reiner’s role in the songwriting, and technical aspects of the writing and playing.  Did Harry Shearer play fretless bass on “Break Like the Wind”?  I don’t know, but we do know he can play upright bass thanks to his role in A Mighty Wind.  In short, the music and movie were given as much appraisal and analysis as we could do in an hour.

Meanwhile in the comments, Pete Jones provided quote after quote after quote, from a variety of Tap interviews and performances.  Thank you Peter!  And thank you to everyone who watched and joined in.  

I started the show with a quick unboxing, from Australia’s Ash Geisler, who has been a huge supporter of the show.  Thanks again Ash for watching, and for sending me this awesome package.  I guarantee some of them will be getting a review.

One topic I didn’t get to mention on the show, but did come up among the viewers:  Spinal Tap II is coming to theaters in 2025.  How do you feel about this?  Let us know in the comments.  I for one don’t think it’s necessary or a good idea.  The cameo-laden cast seems gimmicky, but Rob Reiner is back is the director’s chair.

Thanks for watching, and if you didn’t, the link is below.  This is one I’ll be watching over again.  

NEXT WEEK:  A Mighty Wind with Dan Chartrand, John Clauser & Uncle Meat!

40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 72:  40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

Tonight we’re gonna rock ya, tonight!

Formed as the Thamesmen in 1964, Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins scored a hit with the single “Gimmie Some Money” / “Cups and Cakes”. The band soon employed bassist Derek Smalls. After a name change to Spinal Tap, the band wandered through progressive rock, jazz fusion, funk, reggae, hard rock, and heavy metal.  In 1984 they became a household name with the release of the documentary film by Marty DiBergi, called This Is Spinal Tap.  It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since that film brought Tap to the silver screen.

Tonight, Contrarians Marco D’Auria and new face Dan Chartrand will join Uncle Meat and I, as we Tap into the history of this great band’s music.

From rock and roll (“Gimme Some Money”) to hippie flower power (“Listen to What the Flower People Say”, “Rainy Day Sun”) to heavy metal (“Stonehenge”), few bands have struggled to find a direction like Spinal Tap has.  Now with DiBergi back on board, the band are primed to release a new documentary film on their more recent exploits.  Our panel tonight will try to avoid talking about the drama (puppet shows, air force bases, girlfriends) and focus on the music.  And what music it is!  Nigel Tufnel is one of the most critically acclaimed guitar players in the world, not just for volume but also for pioneering the art of double his guitar solos with voice.  David St. Hubbins is such a legendary lead singer, that Ronnie James Dio wouldn’t allow him to sing lead on Hear N’ Aid’s “Stars” for fear of breaking the board.  And Derek Smalls?  His solo album Smalls Change proves he’s not a one-trick moustached pony.

Join us tonight, and Tap into the music of Spinal Tap.

 

Friday September 27 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

REVIEW: Stir of Echoes – Stir of Echoes (2008)

STIR OF ECHOES – Stir of Echoes (2008 Stir Records)

When Hamilton’s near-legendary metal band Mystique broke up at the end of the 1980s, singer Ray D’Auria bounced back with the hard rocking Slam Glory.  That is a story and album unto itself.  D’Auria’s next major release was a full lengther with quartet Stir of Echoes.  The band formed in 2006 with a self-titled CD release in 2008.  According to a note from filmmaker Marco D’Auria, the album was engineered by Steve Negus of Saga fame.  What musical avenues would Ray explore this time, two decades after the end of Mystique?

The answer is:  if Mystique was metal, and Slam Glory was hard rock, then Stir of Echoes is good old rough n’ raw classic rock.  A heavier Led Zeppelin, perhaps.

Ray’s voice has transitioned to a rougher, more raspy delivery though still with the power and range we expect.  Opener “Sentimental” boasts some slippy-slidey guitar bits and bites, while a locked-in bass/drum groove keeps things moving.  This bluesy rocker is world class.  I like how the rhythm guitar part drops out when the solo comes in – very live sounding.  That’s Marco Ciardullo on guitar.

Track two, “Alone” is an upbeat rocker with Ray shredding the vocal cords throughout.  It’s actually a bit of a drum showcase on the side, with plenty of solos and fills by Darryl Brown.  There’s a bit of Zeppelin in the vocal delivery when Ray sings, “I, I…” at the midway point.  A brilliant track that smokes with a bass solo (by Carmine…just Carmine) and impressive musical exposition.

The groove of “Sold It All to Fame” recalls the classic British blues of bands like Humble Pie.  It sounds like it was born from a jam.  There’s a tasty guitar riff to bite into.  Following this groove, they go heavier on “Bonefoot” which might recall a Sabbathy vibe, circa the first three or four albums, in the riff and looseness.  “Lies, lies, lies!” screams Ray D’Auria like a man wronged.

Stir of Echoes slow things to a nocturnal crawl on the blues “In the Cold”.  Many classic heavy rock bands boast a classic slow blues, and this sounds like Stir of Echoes’ stab at the genre.  The band gets to stretch out musically while Ray focuses on the pain.  “All of this time…alllll of this time…”  Like a classic-era rock singer, Ray sounds out of another decade.

The burner gets turned up to 10, and things start smoking again on “Little Dog”, an absolute blitz.  Then they go for a more fun vibe on “Shot Gun”, which has one riff that definitely reminds us of Zep’s “How Many More Times”.  You have to question how Ray could sustain this kind is singing!  It’s top level, at all times, with the rasp and high notes!  At the end of the song, they ignite the afterburners and the whole thing goes stratospheric.

The first respite on the album lies within the acoustic intro of “Burning in the Rain”, the closest thing they offer to a power ballad.  Emphasis on the power.  Really, it’s more of a bluesy showcase for Ray to offer up some of his most passionate singing.  “Shake” takes things back to boogie, and the mid-tempo groove really allows the bassline to breathe.  This is a great song to dance or drink to.

The only song you might consider “soft” would be the acoustic closer “Too Late”.  Very Zeppelin III in feel.  The lack of volume allows Ray to lay back a bit and really just sing.  It’s just him and some acoustics, so the spotlight is on, and he uses it well.  Brilliant performance.

Except “Too Late” isn’t the closer!  There is an unlisted bonus track called “Wild Eye” which may be the best of the bunch!  It’s certainly one of the most memorable.  The stuttery opening riff is just a little different from the pack.

Stir of Echoes aren’t as diverse as Mystique, and the subject matter is more grounded.  Stir of Echoes is more laser-focused on a specific kind of rock, and they go all-in.  They do what they do very well.  The last band that attempted this kind of sound and did it this well was called Badlands.  If you know, you know.  Get it.

4/5 stars

VIDEO: Unboxing Amazon, and Gift from Slam Glory & Marco D’Auria

They say if you do anything, it has to be on camera these days. In this case, I agree.  In this video you will see:

  • A generous gift from Marco D’Auria and Slam Glory received with genuine warmth.
  • Some remastered glam/”hair” metal, in preparation of an upcoming episode of Rock Daydream Nation with Peter Kerr.
  • A Japanese import of the Durling pursuasion.
  • Gratitude.

I still can’t find the words so “thank you” will have to do for now.

 

All About the MYSTIQUE Film: Standing On The Firing Line with Marco D’Auria

In a word: passion!  Marco D’Auria is a creator with a passion for fulfilling his artistic drives.  Since his youth, he had a passion for his uncle Ray D’Auria’s band, Mystique.  He loved the music.  He loved the history.  He wanted to bring that story to the world, and he achieved it.  The accolades are wonderful, but holding the DVD of Mystique:  Standing On The Firing Line in his hands is the real reward.

In this hour-long interview, co-host Jex Russell and I quizzed Marco on the following subjects:

  • Getting the band back together for the interviews
  • Editing down over four hours of film into 1 hour 39 minutes, and finally 95 minutes
  • Unseen footage of Martin Popoff and other interviewees
  • Unreleased music
  • Awards and movie festivals
  • Getting the new version of the film out there for you to see
  • And a February 2024 sale on the DVD, available here:  mystique-black-rider-online-store.com

The Mystique story is compelling.  The music justifies itself.  This band had potential.  There was magic happening.  The big break never quite took shape, and this film is the story of what might have been.  Nobody seems to have any regrets.  The film is warming to watch, and I recommend you check it out while the February sale is on.

Thank you Jex and Marco for an awesome Friday night.  Check Marco out at the Contrarians on Youtube!

 

Feb 9 – our 50th show! – Doctor Kathryn returns with Jex Russell and her cassette collection from the 1980s!

Feb 16 – Too Much Music? 2 (pre-recorded)

Feb 23 – LeBrainless with Jex, Harrison, Roger, John Snow & Aaron

 

 

Standing On The Firing Line with Marco D’Auria: All About the MYSTIQUE Film!

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and Jex Russell

Episode 49:  MYSTIQUE:  Standing On The Firing Line with filmmaker Marco D’Auria

We’ve spoken to this fine gentlemen about this excellent film a couple times, so why is Marco back to talk about Mystique: Standing On The Firing Line?  The new cut of the film is in, and it is turning heads.  The new version of this rockumentary has been making the festival circuit and picking up awards!  (Couch Film Festival 2023, AltFF Alternative Film Festival 2023.)  Director Marco D’Auria is eager for you to see this film, and talk about what he has coming next.

Mystique was a Hamilton heavy metal band that released some iconic independent music such as Black Rider and I Am the King back in the 1980s.  The band never “made it” and faded into obscurity by 1989…until their old records and tapes started commanding insane prices on the collector’s market.

Why?  What is that made Mystique special?  We will delve into this with co-host Jex Russell tonight.  Marco will explain what is new about this recent cut of the film, and what he hopes to do for a re-release.  Tune in tonight!

 

Friday Feb 2 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube, on Facebook!

 

Feb 9 – our 50th show! – Doctor Kathryn returns with Jex Russell and her cassette collection from the 1980s!

 

 

MOVIE REVIEW: Mystique – Standing On the Firing Line (2022)

Note:  This review is of the new 96 minute cut of Mystique – Standing On the Firing Line. 

A collaboration with Jex!  For Jex Russell’s review, click here!

MYSTIQUE: STANDING ON THE FIRING LINE (2022, 2023 edition)

Directed by Marco D’Auria

“EPIC METAL” – Martin Popoff

They had the raw talent to make it.  They just needed a break.  They didn’t get it, but what they achieved instead was a legendary status with a handful of priceless releases left behind.  They were Mystique, a progressive heavy metal band from Hamilton Ontario.

Standing On the Firing Line is a 2022 documentary film by Marco D’Auria, finally shedding light on the history and music of this lesser-known band.  They always deserved more attention, and hopefully the film brings them that.  From the first shots of the band, the music of “No Return” assaults the senses with chopping riffs and unholy screams.  Why didn’t they make it?

The main driving force of Mystique from their beginnings to their demise were opera-trained singer Ray D’Auria (originally from Naples Italy), and perfectionist drummer John Davies, who had spent time in a few hard rock bands before Mystique.  Many other talented members joined and enhanced them along the way, but it was Ray and John who were there ’til the end.  The two met up when John auditioned for Ray’s band, Orion.  A friendship was formed, but the band wasn’t paying them the money they were owed.  They split as a pair and didn’t waste time starting their own thing.  15 year old Dave Dragos was a shredder – rated 2nd best in Canada at the time – and was first on board.  He introduced them to bassist Mark Arbour (a mixture of Geddy Lee and Chris Squire), and a solid band was formed.  A 1984 basement tape of “Black Rider” shows the nameless band had the goods.  It was Ray who blurted out “Mystique”, which felt right.

They found a rehearsal space, and added keyboardist Victor Barreiro.  The band practiced hard, and pushed each other to improve as musicians.  Davies tended to handle the business side, but they were attracting attention to themselves.  They found a manager (Ted Smirnios), money was borrowed, and songs were improved upon, until they were finally in shape to record.  Primitive but technically inventive tracks were recorded on 1/2″ tape, on a 16-track desk.  Not the best for sound quality, but good enough to get the songs down.  They went as far as to butcher a classic Leslie speaker to get a driving keyboard sound.

A stoned viewing of the animated Lord of the Rings movie captured John Davies, and inspired the song “Black Rider”.  The band had a sort of gothic bent in the mid-80s, but Ray D’Auria’s voice was appropriate for this progressive style of metal.  Journalist Martin Popoff remarks that the keyboards brought them into that progressive world.  Melodic guitar/keyboard solos took time to work out.  They were unafraid to play ballads, which Martin compares to a vintage Judas Priest dirge.  Mystique were a serious band!  The Black Rider EP impressed their peers for the playing if not the sound.  Popoff heard a strong Maiden influence, but compares more to Armored Saint and Odin with elements of power metal.  1000 copies were sold, an impressive amount.  Their manager got it as far away as Greece, and even accidentally set himself on fire as part of their stage show!

The band were doing well but dreams were not exceeded, and eventually members left for greener pastures, leaving Ray and John to rebuild.  Bizarrely, they met a talented French guitarist named Eric Nicolas in Jackson Square, and went to France to record their next demo:  1987’s I Am the King.  They struggled with the language barrier, and were recording digitally for the first time.  Ray blew everyone away with the “God note” that he held in “I Am the King”.  They were offered a record contract with Elektra in France, which didn’t pan out.  They brought the tapes home to Canada for release.

They added a new bassist, Les Wheeler, and evolved from metal to “hair”.  “The explosion in the costume factory look,” as described by Popoff, of their new extreme look that didn’t match their music.  “It looked good, from a distance,” jokes Ray.  Teenage girls loved their posters though!  Unfortunately having a guitar playing living in France was a barrier.  Wheeler broke his wrist in an accident.  A new lineup formed.  They felt forced to go more commercial, which resulted in the 1988 Poison-esque single “Rock and Roll Party Tonight”.  It was vastly different from “Black Rider”, but they went straight from that to recording a proper album, funded by EMI.  They taped 11 to 12 songs…but the album was never released and is partly lost today.  The masters tapes were sold and erased.  There were some good songs on that tape.  Ray, however, looks back at their change of direction as a mistake.  More shuffles in band members caused long breaks in activity, and the writing was on the wall.  Ray no longer identified with the music, and was the one to leave.  By 1989, their music was out of date anyway.

Manager Ted Smirnios is given a tremendous amount of credit for making Mystique happen.  It’s a touching part of the film.  The band members went their separate and sometimes surprising ways, but the story never really ends so long as people keep discovering the music.  Their releases are now valuable collectables today, worth a small fortune on the second-hand market.

Rare live clips and candid photos really bring an intimate look at Mystique.  You feel like you get to know the personalities.  This new edit of the film cut a substantial amount of footage, mostly interview footage with people who were there at the time.  The movie gains better pacing from this, as it just flies by in no time.  A new ending to the film brings us to the present day, and the movie’s theatrical premiere in front of a cheering audience.  The original cut might be considered for more hard-core viewers who want that “feels like being there” experience, but the current 96 minute edit is better for the enjoyment of Mystique.  It’s a much tighter and more direct story.  There is still plenty of unreleased music and vintage images.

Stay tuned for the mid-credit scene!

4.5/5 stars