D.W. by Deadly Weapon

This Chicago quartet's nine-track disc is chock full of '80s rock clichés, from the song titles like "I Want It All" and "Kiss of Death" to the lead singer's dead-on Paul Stanley falsetto wail to the thunderous drum sound to the infectious yet dated choruses that emblazon each track. Yes, Deadly Weapon's album comes complete with credits thanking a cover model (who bares the band's logo above her belly button) and their hairstylists, and it rocks like the opening act at summer's annual hair-metal jaunt, the Rock Never Stops tour, should. If that's such a crime, then persecute them; otherwise, dig out your denim jackets and stock up on Aquanet and rock out to this group's self-titled arena-rock tour de force.

-Mike SOS

jan.2,05-review from NY rock,street beat by bill ribas.

Deadly Weapon, Deadly Weapon (© 2004 Rocky Records)

Holy hair metal, Batman! Well, that was my first thought when I caught a glimpse of the photo inside the jewel case. My next thought was about hair-care products and costs, but my brain is a bit burnt, so don't get too upset. The good news is, well, if you like rock and roll old-school style, verse/chorus/verse/chorus/lead-guitar solo etc., then you're in luck. Yes, I said, "lead-guitar solo," just like the good old days. After all, the reason many kids picked up a guitar was not to play chords, but to play leads, to make the pained faces, to flick picks at the crowd, the whole nine yards. Deadly Weapon play rock in that old-school vein, and they do it well. Kind of a cross between Kiss and Dio, the music is a tad on the dark side, but immediately accessible. And while I try to think if there is a market for this type of rock at the moment, "Thunder in the Midnight" is playing in the background, and the lead takes off and reminds me of Ace Frehley, and I think, yeah, hell yeah, I'd go see these guys. You won't find ear-stretching pyrotechnics like Satriani or Vai, but you will come across licks from the canon of rock, and for me, at least, I just gotta smile. www.deadlyweapon.org

DEADLY WEAPON - DEADLY WEAPON: Deadly Weapon is a four man, hard rocking band based out of California. All four members sing and two are producers. Their possible influences included Kiss and 80's metal. Deadly Weapon's energized style is propelled by two heavy guitars, a rock solid rhythm section and dark, daring vocals. Their nine-track, self-titled release features fast, furious riffs, roaring solos and kick ass beats. 'Don't Hesitate' is the strong opener that sets the tone for the rest of the CD. There is no holding back its intense guitar licks and driving beat. 'Whole Lotta Man' has a lot of wailing guitars and vocals layered over a solid rhythm. 'Thunder In The Midnight' is dark and thunderous with its cutting instrumentation. 'Blood For Blood' has racing licks combined with passionate vocals and heart stopping rhythms. 'Always In Love' is their metal ballad with a catchy hook line. The second half of the CD returns to a hard driving format featuring a number of strong dueling guitar solos. If you are looking for straight edge rock and roll look no further than Deadly Weapon!

* Recommended Tracks: (1,5) [USA/CA 2004 - web] (Review by Laura Turner Lynch for Kweevak.com)

DEADLY WEAPON ‘DEADLY WEAPON’ (ROCKY RECORDS)

This band from California looks and sounds like the 1980s Californian Rock/Metal, although their same titled debut CD isn’t as good as the 1980s bands. Nevertheless, this band is doing some good old pure mid 1980s American orientated Hardrock like a mix between KISS, WASP, DOKKEN and KEEL. The guitar riffs sound like they should sound, so big riffs a la GEORGE LYNCH and ANGUS YOUNG. These guys make Hardrock sound fresh and new, although not all songs are convincing, but for a debut, they definitely know how to rock. Although “Kiss of death” sounds a bit like the DOKKEN song, it actually reminds me of TWISTED SISTER, and basically every song of the 9 included has influences of mentioned bands, except the semi ballad “Always in love”, which falls a bit out of place here, because it is the weakest and poppiest song. However, these guys surely know how to rock on songs like “Blood for blood”, “Your love” and “Once a bitch, always a bitch”. It’s not a sensational record, but still good to hear some of the good old 80s LA Hardrock. It sounds like those typical Hair Metalbands from the Sunset Strip around 1985-1989, if only these times could return to LA again, I would consider myself immigrating to that place, but I guess the 1980s will never really comeback, although CRUE is doing big business at the moment. If you’re interested in one of the new Californian bands playing good old 80s US Hardrock (without sounding dated), then do check out DEADLY WEAPON at: http://www.deadlyweapon.org

Publication date: 23 March 2005, 16:58:10 | Author: Stuart A Hamilton

I've been waiting for the return of 80s hair metal for quite some time, and it's good to see that a few releases are starting to appear. Deadly Weapon take 82 - 85 Kiss as their template, then they just start rockin'!

For some this will be pure retro heaven, others may take a step back and scream to the gods of grunge for it to be taken away, but there's a fin eline between clever and stupid, and Deadly Weapon straddle it with some aplomb. You may not think that "Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz" was a classic, but me and the 3 other Pretty Boy Floyd fans would argue differently.

If there is one weakness that I would have to point a slightly arched finger at the vocals. Everyone seems to take a shot at the vox, but someone needs to put their hand up and say 'me', then work hard at it. But aside from that this is a rollicking good ride, from the opening yell on "Don't Hesitate", through the widdly widdly guitar onto album highlights "Once A Bitch Always A Bitch" and “Thunder In The Midnight”, the latter more Ace Frehley solo than Kiss and the former, an absolute riff drenched stormer which would stand proudly alongside any original period material. Hell, there's even a power ballad of sorts on "Always In Love", which goes all Suicide Twins on us.

You'll also be glad to know that the cover features a crotch shot, the band all have perms (and thank their hairstylist in the liner credits) and that every song has a chorus you can shout along to. Who knows, once the Motley Crue revival kicks off, there might still be a place for bands like Deadly Weapon. Me, I loved it.

DEADLY WEAPON / Deadly Weapon / Rocky Music

by: DAN SKIBA

Deadly Weapon is a 4-man band out of the Central USA area, and their self-titled album marks their first release. Although collectively somewhat new to the commercial music scene, this band is comprised of veteran musicians who proclaim fatigue with the current state of the Hard Rock/Metal genre prompted them to form as a band and to delve into issuing a CD … a task often only first undertaken by bucking lads less long in the tooth. All band members appear to share the vocal duties (more discussion on that topic later), with Jade Rock and Mike Cardona handling guitar duties, Bob Jaeger on bass, and Rich Lippman pounding the skins.

Deadly Weapon’s music focuses on the simplistic aspects of Hard Rock/Classic Metal … much along the lines of KISS and AC/DC, with basic riffs and chord patterns, integrated guitar solos, and prominent drum and bass lines that give the band’s music a well-rounded and easy to listen to sound. In today’s age of symphonics, electronics, and other musical wizardry, opting for the basic and straightforward approach is not necessarily en vogue, but is truly an art form within itself. Deadly Weapon’s music sounds really easy to play … which sometimes confuses a listener into thinking that the music was also easy to write. Rest assured, that’s not at all the case … it takes as much or more effort to write a catchy, simple, easy-to-play original riff or chord pattern as it does to involve multiple non-traditional instrumental pieces into a Symphonic Metal piece. From that aspect, this album is completely successful – out of the 9 songs found on this debut album, all but the opening track “Don’t Hesitate” have that rare musical cohesiveness that virtually any guitarist could pick up and play after 6 months of guitar lessons. After all, KISS and AC/DC made a helluva living out of doing the exact same thing for many many years.

The glaring weakness in this Deadly Weapon album, however, lies within the vocals. Lyrically, the album follows a similar basic approach germane to the music – there’s absolutely nothing mind-blowing or life-altering found here, but rock ‘n’ roll was never really intended to make political, environmental, or religious statements – instead, rock ‘n’ roll was always supposed to be about “fun.” Editorials aside, the basic singing voice of whoever takes the lead at the microphone for Deadly Weapon, when singing in regular octaves, sounds like an unpolished Paul Stanley. In the tracks, “Whole Lotta Man,” “Once A Bitch Always A Bitch,” “Your Love (Daughter Of The Night),” and “I Want It All,” the vocals are generally held in check and remain in a tolerable tone, but in all of the others, the tracks lose their otherwise enjoyable credibility by a total lack of ability to hit and sustain the high notes. God love ‘em for trying, but in all reality you’re likely to find more high-end vocal talent at weekend karaoke contests at your favorite watering hole.

The obvious suggestion for Deadly Weapon is to do exactly what they did musically on their next release, but to hire a legitimate vocalist to join the band – someone who can do justice to the challenges of each track … or, opt to write songs that don’t require the band members to have the unglorious task of having to strain their vocal chords. In the end, this band has the musical elements and ideas that it takes to gain wide acceptance … they just need to realize and rectify their weakest link – the fact that the vocal talent is in no way commensurate to their musical and songwriting talent.

February 26, 2005

DEADLY WEAPON

Deadly Weapon

© 2004 Rocky Records (6441670432-2)

melodic hard rock

studio album

9 tracks - TT 37:39

release date: December 2004

http://www.deadlyweapon.org

You can say that when it comes to music that is even remotely rooted in the 80’s I am…eh… a bit biased.

Californian 4-piece Deadly Weapon have chosen to operate in the same territory inhabited by the likes of Keel, Twisted Sister and Animalize/Asylum era Kiss, so the simple fact that they had the balls to deliver an album choked full of testosterone fuelled songs already earned them some points in my book.

The vocal duties on the album are shared by all four members and while this definitely adds to the variety factor, the end result-and it pains me to say this- isn’t always pleasing to the ear. Take for example the acoustic led balladry of first single “Always In Love”. Musically it’s a simple yet effective little ditty but whoever handles lead vocals on this cut should stick to screaming his lungs out and let someone with a better suited set of tonsils for the more sugar coated stuff, take care of business.

The guys do handle their instruments pretty well though, with the axe work on cuts such as the Ace Frehley influenced “Thunder In The Midnight” and “Kiss Of Death” (with a tip of the hat to Axl & C°) being of an especially tasty flavour. And along with the boogie like “Whole Lotta Man” and the riff happy “Once A Bitch Always A Bitch” they offer the album’s prime moments.

If you’re not on a quest to find originality in music and you know how to stomach a cliché or two then Deadly Weapon could prove to be tailor made for you. (PS)

Click here: IMPACT Press: Music Reviews: Spring '05

Deadly Weapon • self-titled • self-released • Y'all know I'm a sucker for metal. It's what I grew up on! Deadly Weapon is full-on 80's metal. Think Manowar, Judas Priest and Kiss. Or, for you kids born IN the 80's, did you see "Rock Star" with Mark Wahlberg? Think Steel Dragon. This is metal – crunching riffs, shredding leads and screaming vocals, just like it was meant to be. (SH)

DEADLY WEAPON "DEADLY WEAPON"

To my to seem image and style: "Asylum/Renegade" of Kiss, also could say Keel, is to say to affluent sound ochentas. The truth is that any band of Hard touch Rock wishes to sound at least a little the famous ones made up. Deadly Weapon is a group of Los Angeles and with all subjects of its own responsibility they sent to its disc homónimo recently. "Deadly weapon" contains 9 more than interesting songs, always within the Hard style Rock of 80s like "Don't Hesitate", "Blood For Blood", and "I Want It All". The voice of Jade Rock is of average timbre, for that reason the similarity with the musicians of Detroit, has good lungs for the howls and the rest of the set plays well its role, they are: Voice and Bob Jaeger low, Rich Lippman in action and voice and Mike Cardona in guitars and voice, both guitarists are complemented or and the single ones of cords in general very or are elaborated. I am possible to mention that the cover and the retirement of cover show a good figure of some beautiful grupie of DW, would like to see it completely! I invite them to that they check his web site and they give one him heard to his songs. For but info: www.deadlyweapon.org. Year: 2004.

GC: What is the name of your band and who are the current members?

Deadly Weapon (D.W.)

Bob Jaeger,Jade Rock, Rich Lippman, Mike Cardona

GC:How did you become connected to make music? We have all known each other for years and decided to put a band together that we would like to hear and see.

GC: What are your musical influences? Beatles, Kiss,Led Zeppelin, Slade, Alice cooper, Ac/Dc,Bto...many of the invasion 60's70's bands.

GC: What is your live show like? About 2 hours...no really, it’s an, in your face,sweaty,forget about your problems, rock n roll party.

GC: Tell us about your own unique style of music? in your face hard driving Rock N Roll.lots of hooks and catching melodies lyrics and music..to keep you humming and dancing for weeks."chuckles"... it's nothing unique,it's just missing in todays music scene...

i dated a woman with little kids, and after hearing the songs just a couple times, they could sing em better then i could..they even could hum the music..it floored me!!!

GC: What serparates your band from all the other bands out there? a lot of bands are beginning to sound the same and even look the same,where you can’t tell them apart.it’s very one dimensional. With us,there is always going to be room for variety in sound,look, or what ever. it’s not the same cd or look with every release.

GC: How do you go about writing songs? i don't have a set formula,if it hits me and has a feel to it... it goes from there.some times i can just take a walk down stairs come up with a riff or bit, then i run back upstairs and put it to the guitar!! laffs

GC: Pick one of your latest song and talk about everything from writing it, meanings, the challenges of recording it? the only challenge of recording was with the vocals. We we’re pressed on time and budget, so we just winged it. our next cd will focus a lot more on vocals. There was a lot more we could have done on this cd. But all in all, we’re very proud of the results.

GC: What is your latest news with the band? Tour,tour,tour…

GC: Where do you hope to be in 5 years with your band? Our plan is to be on our 6th cd by then.we have so much music to put out,it’s hard to contain ourselves.we can’t wait for the release of each and every one. Each release will be as fresh and different from the last. Being on tour and playing stadiums will be on our minds and hopefully we will be at that stage in 5 years. One thing this band really strives for,is to play live and to grow in that area. At the stage we are right now, financially,we’re limited in what we can do,but as we grow it will keep getting better each time. We have ideas that no other bands have done before,but til we get to that level,we will just keep cranking it out with the resources we have available.this is what makes rock n roll fun. I remember growing up and following the career of kiss and watching them grow. it was the most exciting thing I can remember in my early teen years.

GC: How are people currently reacting to your music? we are kind of surprised,(since we’re doing classic new rock) the reaction and reviews have been quite positive at most.The biggest thing we really can’t stand is when someone thinks we’re a hair band. It couldn’t be further from the truth. We like our long hair. To me a hair band is a pouting, blonde hair, dressed like girls, 80’s band playing music to attract girls. L.a. crap.

GC: What would be the top 3 reasons for listening to your music? Blood,sweat,and tears…

GC: What is your best experience as a band? Hasn’t happened yet! but, meeting people that enjoy what we do is definitely a great experience!

GC: What is your worst experience as a band? during one song, the fog machine had all this fog blasting out ,and the power went out on the bass and a guitar and the fans so,it couldn’t blow the fog off the stage.. I’m at the side of the stage with my mouth out trying to get air thinking I’m gonna die from this.and that lasted for the entire song.needless to say all the techs were fired!!! laffs.

the worst experience was dealing with,

JET SPEED RECORDS!

GC: What is most important to you in your band? That we never disappoint our DW family! That’s one thing we learned for so many years.every band we grew up listening to(every band),somehow disappointed me in some way or another. I don’t know if it’s too much fame and they lose their sense of direction or what. It will be something this band will be very focused on. I know you can’t please everyone,everytime,but the fans pay our bills and we will do our best to be aware of our fans concerns-always!

GC: Do you have a personal favorite song, could be your own or other, and why? One of my all time favorites is "i'm happy just to dance with you"its not quite 2 minutes long, but it has so much emotion i get chills just from the opening chord, and when the singing comes in ,i'm gone.. but i would say i have so many favorites if you ask me tomorrow, i have another one.depends on the mood..

GC: What was the hardest song to write and why? i really don't have a hard time writing.for the most part it comes easy, if i do need help, i can call several writing partners.

GC: What do you think of the current gothic/ EBM/ Industrial/ noise/ synthpop etc scence today? i don't follow much of what is out there, being so busy with mine own.

GC: What music do you currently listen to, and why? hmmm, what ever mood i'm in,i may listen to beatles, or kiss, then i may just want a hear a song then i'll pull it out and run it into the ground..."laughs"

GC: How do you keep changing your music from album to album or plan to change it? that comes from adding different parts,sounds,arrangements,vocals,the key is to keep an open mind about things, sometimes you get stale to yourself,but when some one else says ..i think this....you have to be open to wow!! that makes it better...its about the song, not personal ego.i've been pretty lucky,cos i haven't written the same song twice. if i see something is sounding the same i do my best not to repeat, but sometimes you just can't get away from it.

GC: What kind of recording environment do you have? most of the time, its very easy,cuz we go in with a plan of what we want,and we can knock it out relatively quick. We don’t like the distractions. We have a job to do. Partying,hot tubs,friends… are not really welcome in the studio. That all comes later. Focus is important.

GC:How long did you spend on your latest effort? In total,it took a little over a month. The problem we had was we were flying back in forth from Chicago to L.A.. You have to remember,we have jobs to pay our bills and all four of us had to work around each others schedules. But, it was a little over a month in total time,but stretched out through a 10 month span.

GC: What is the hardest thing about being in a band for this genre? Because we are trying to bring back the old style of music with a new twist...we call it "Classic New Rock"but we have found out, there is a market for it....so many of the young kids today, are loving the classic rock, cuz they are being scolded by their parents and relatives that grew up with it, and they go, many of this is amazing!!!

GC: Feel free to do any shameless self promotion here of you band, now is your turn to talk about anything you want about your band, ideas, or life in the band. Enjoy life! Love one another,have fun and rock n roll.

DeadlyWeapon

DW 2004 + + +

Tillhör du dom som fastnat i 80-talet & hela

din skivsamling består av Kiss samlade verk?

Då är DeadlyWeapon absolut något för dig!

9 spår som lika gärna kunde vara inspelade

runt 1983 återfinns på bandets debutplatta.

Bandet består av fyra "killar" från Chicago USA

& visst hör man att bandet influerats av vad som

torde vara deras idoler Kiss & inte mycket är

nyskapande men det behöver ju inte allt vara

heller, eller?

Inledande "Dont hesitate" går i samma anda som

en allsångs låt med just Kiss eller varför inte tidiga

Bon Jovi.

Hur som helst är det snyggt framfört & låtsnickrandet

är klart godkänt.

Plattan gör sig hos en sann 80-tals fanatiker eller varför

inte på nästa 80-tals revival...

Average Customer Review: 3