Metal Sludge The Power and the Glory
‘Rock N’ Skull’ weekend festival to feat: Danger Danger, Faster Pussycat, Black N’ Blue, Tuff, Roxy Blue & Babylon A.D
Illinois — Smack dab in the middle of the heartland Rock N’ Skull is kicking off their inaugural festival with a bang bang for sure. This 3-day extravaganza will surely peek the interest of 80s hairband fans from near and far. The event is slated for mid November and is the offspring of last year’s Skull Fest. Promoter Justin Murr is also known for his Liberty N’ Justice group which has released music and worked with numerous name musicians over the years.
The 3 day concert series will be held November 14, 15 & 16 with roughly 2 dozen artists. The bill will be represented by bands from coast to coast. The Friday features Chicago local heroes Enuff Z’Nuff, Danger Danger from the East Coast on Saturday and the West Coast bad boys Faster Pussycat headline the Sunday. Support on the bill is made up of bands the die-hard fans have come to know and love. Black N’ Blue, Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns, Tuff and Russ Dwarf (Killer Dwarfs). All of the above have appeared at larger marquee rock events in recent years, including Rocklahoma, the M3 Music Festival and the Monsters or Rock Cruise.
Event founder Justin Murr says: “These bigger festivals have helped re-launch some of the Headbangers Ball level bands back into the heads and hearts of a legion of hairband lovers that won’t go away.“
Murr adds: “We are striving to make Rock N’ Skull a fan friendly event, where you get to see some of these bands up close in a very intimate setting. We realize it’s all about the memories and hanging with these people that you have a common bond with. We are sort of like Disney Land with a Mullet.”
Rounding out the weekend line-up are other names that will ring a bell for the heavy metal lifers who once read Metal Edge and Hit Parader magazines. Friday will see Roxy Blue and 3 members of Leatherwolf on stage. Saturday will feature sets by Babylon A.D. and American Dog (featuring Michael Hannon of Salty Dog). Sunday notes David Reece appearing who once fronted Accept and Bangalore Choir.
Last year Murr headed up Skull Fest and the 3 day event played in full with a solid line-up. 20 bands over 3 days. “The 2013 event was great, but 2014 will surpass that for sure. The fans loved it.” says Murr.
With some notable and recent failed rock shows Metal Sludge asked Murr what makes his different, and why they can ensure the fans – that Rock N’ Skull will go off as planned.
Murr proudly says: “There is no doubt there should be a concern about some events. Similar shows have seen the fans get ripped off by advertising bands that never appear, and others cutting 3 advertised days down to 2. This won’t happen with Rock N Skull.”
Metal Sludge was first to report the cancellation of Rock Gone Wild (Iowa) back in 2009, the catastrophe that was Rock Harvest in Maryland where 35 bands cancelled and the recent Rockesha debacle in Wisconsin. Murr admits; “Clearly we are not the Monsters Of Rock Cruise, we are a baby brand. But Rock N Skull has had healthy ticket sales this year and fans will not be disappointed.” A local Illinois resident, and music lifer, Murr continues, “I was one of the two promoters that brought the fans Skull Fest in Nebraska in 2013. We had 20 bands who performed as advertised. From that experience, I have branched out to launch Rock N’ Skull and have now promoted concerts every month in 2014 here at “Hat Tricks” in Pekin Illinois.”
Recent “Hat Tricks” events promoted by Murr include Styrper, John Corabi (Ex Motley Crue/The Scream) and the Cinderella offshoot Cheap Thrill. Other up coming events for Murr include Autograph, Lillian Axe, Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Lynam, Randy Jackson of Zebra and Rock N Skull.
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