Rock Star Journalist

December 15, 2014 by Nick

Podcast #123, “Tony Rettman & NYHC”

It’s been a good long while since we last spoke with author Tony Rettman (going all the way back to podcast number twelve), but his new book for Bazillion Points, NYHC: New York Hardcore 1980-1990 is pretty amazing. We were lucky enough to interview Mr. Rettman for the Runout, and while we had him on the line, we had him play DJ for a few songs.

Thus, there’s nothing but New York hardcore on this particular episode, but it’s a nice mix of both classics and new, and all of it likely a bunch of stuff you’ve not ever heard. If you like what you hear, check out the full Spotify playlist Mr. Rettman put together for the book (and, conveniently, buy a copy of NYHC) at the Bazillion Points website.

Podcast #123, “Tony Rettman & NYHC”
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July 14, 2014 by Nick

McPadden’s “Heavy Metal Movies” a fun and essential read

I’d had the pleasure of interviewing Mike “McBeardo” McPadden in advance of the release of Heavy Metal Movies: Guitar Barbarians, Mutant Bimbos & Cult Zombies Amok in the 666 Most Ear- and Eye-Ripping Big-Scream Films Ever! Sadly, when we spoke, all I’d had a chance to read was the intro and a sample chapter, which was exactly enough to have me foaming at the mouth to get my hands on the full magilla.

Thanks to Bazillion Points being kind enough to shoot me a copy, I’ve now spent the better part of the last month thumbing through Heavy Metal Movies each and every time I’ve been on the couch. It’s taken about that long to get through the epic tome, but every moment spent perusing its pages has been well-spent. In addition to revisiting old favorites, seeing what was left out, and just trying to see what stuff I need to track down.
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September 20, 2011 by Nick

Preview Mark Evans’ new memoir, “Dirty Deeds”

Bazillion Points – they of the ridiculous thorough and obscenely thick rock ‘n’ roll tomes – have another release on the horizon. Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, by former bassist Mark Evans, is due out from the rock press in November, but you can read the intro right now, as well as a glimpse of the title page and whatnot.

It’s a clever little story that sums up life on the road with Bon Scott, and whets your appetite for what appears to be another salaciously ribald memoir of life in a rock-roll band. You can pre-order the book directly from Bazillion Points, and in addition to free shipping, you get a free Dirty Deeds badge. Do so here, if you’re so inclined.

Grab the preview in PDF, courtesy of AC/DC Collector.

February 28, 2011 by Nick

Bazillion Points to release “Metalion: the Slayer Mag Diaries”

Continuing with the cataloging of the underground’s great publications, Bazillion Points follows up their Touch & Go collection with Metalion: the Slayer Mag Diaries. From Slayer Mag creator / editor / publisher Jon Kristiansen comes this epic chronology of metal – be it black, death, or beyond.

Metalion is a 720-page hardcover that reproduces over 600 pages from the original Slayer Mag, as well as its precursor, Live Wire. In addition, this massive tome contains previously unreleased interviews, photos, and the story of Kristiansen’s own life.
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December 10, 2010 by Nick

An interview with Mean Deviation author Jeff Wagner

Author Jeff Wagner recently released his book Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal through Bazillion Points. I reviewed it late last month on the site – I enjoyed it, but found it so in-depth that it was a little difficult to absorb. Wagner was kind enough to speak with me by phone earlier this week. We discussed the book and its reception, as well as the process of putting all those bands in perspective.

You can find more information about the book at its Facebook page or contact Jeff Wagner directly via e-mail: wagner at mean dash deviation dot com. Bazillion Points also made the book’s fifth chapter, “Passing the Threshold,” available as a PDF yesterday, which you can read and preview here.

Download the interview with Mean Deviation author Jeff Wagner.

August 24, 2010 by Nick

A history of prog metal on the way from Bazillion Points

This November, Bazillion Points will release Mean Deviation: Four Decades of Progressive Heavy Metal, by Jeff Wagner. The book will focus on the history of the prog metal genre, and covers a lot of ground:

Beginning with 1970s progressive rock acts Rush and King Crimson, MEAN DEVIATION unfurls a colorful tapestry of sounds and styles, from the “Big Three” of 1980s prog metal-Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater-to extreme pioneers Voivod, Watchtower, and Arcturus. As sparks of inspiration spread to obscure outposts in Scandinavia, Florida, and Japan, progressive metal burst into full creative flame with the successes of prog metal overlords Opeth, Meshuggah, Tool, Between the Buried and Me, and many others.

We’ve got a copy coming to Rock Star Journalist, and we’ll have a review for you to check out soon enough. Suffice it to say, we know you’re probably going to buy it anyway (we know that prog fans are loyal bunch), so you can pre-order it from Bazillion Points and get a free button/badge for your denim jacket.

June 30, 2010 by Nick

Touch & Go fanzine collection due out June 30

Bazillion Points will release Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Zine ’79-’83 on June 30. The book collects all 22 issues of the influential Michigan punk ‘zine, which was ran by Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson, and featured interviews with some of the heavyweights of the early days of American punk rock: “Black Flag, Minor Threat, the Misfits, Negative Approach, the Fix, the Avengers, the Necros, Discharge, Iron Cross, Youth Brigade, Faith, Die Kreuzen, Crucifix, Poison Idea—and all the other punks worth their weight.”

This is one of those “must-haves” for anyone interested in the history of punk rock, especially as this is the scene documented as it arose. It’s each and every page of the Xeroxed magazine, presented in full-size, so you don’t have to strain your eyes, worn out as they are from years of poorly-lit basement shows.

You can pre-order the book from Bazillion Points, and that gets you a free badge, balloon, and some other stuff they’re calling a “hardcore fun pack” for the totally reasonable price of $29.95. Check out an interview with Tesco Vee (whom you might remember from such bands as the Meatmen), and editor Steve Miller (whom I remember from early Touch & Go Records band the Fix) in the little widget below.