January 12th, 2025 - "Hammer Swings Down": An Interview with Drummer Jamey Pacheco

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and metal maniacs!  Your heavy metal beer drinking pal the Meista here today with another great interview for you!  This one is with the very friendly and very talented Jamey Pacheco, drummer of Duran Duran Duran and founding member and former drummer of Babylon A.D.!  We chatted about Jamey's Duran Duran tribute band, Duran Duran Duran (D3), his previous work with Babylon A.D., his rich history as a musician in general, his work as a graphic designer and web designer, and much more!  Here's a link to that video interview: https://youtu.be/tCfEwOh2rNA

Enjoy!!

Learn more about Jamey here: 

• https://www.jameypacheco.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/duran3tribute

Check out Duran Duran Duran here:

• https://www.duran3tribute.com/

And make sure to check out Jamey's girlfriend, Ronnie Wagner's page here: 

• https://www.ladybassqueen.com/

*Photo of Jamey by Glenn Herring

**Special thanks to Jamie Winters for designing the Brews and Tunes logo, Jerry Howard for creating the Brews and Tunes intro video and to DiseNgaged for the use of their song "The Real Me" (copyright 2020)

January 12th, 2025 - NZH-104 in the Domain of the Wretched

 

Hey there headbangers and hop freaks!  Happy Sunday!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here with another killer pairing for ya!  Today, I'm pairing "Domain Of The Wretched", the debut album by New Zealand death metal band Organectomy with a hoppy and delicious NZH-104 Single Hop Pale Ale from Offset Bier Company!  Hells yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Organectomy
• Title: "Domain Of The Wretched"
• Recorded: 2017 
• Release date: December 17th, 2017 (1st full-length studio album by Organectomy)
• Record company: Unique Leader Records
• Production: Organectomy
• Album cover art: Lordigan (aka Pedro Sena) 
• Personnel: Jae Hulbert (drums), Tyler Jordan (bass), Sam McRobert (guitars), Ashton Moore (guitars), and Alex Paul (vocals)
• Guest musicians: Kieran Bircher (vocals on "Intracranial Incubation"), Matthew Bolch (vocals on "Entropic Decay"), Steven Booth (vocals on "Intracranial Incubation"), Stace Fifield (vocals on "Entropic Decay"), Liam Hand (vocals on "Beckoning The Horrors Of The Depths"), Vin Minchington (vocals on "Sanctum Of Deceit"), and Jamie Philpott (vocals on "Inherent Revulsion")
• Musical style: Death metal
• Sound: Characterized by brutal riffs, intricate time signatures, and aggressive vocals, the sound on "Domain Of The Wretched" is death metal perfection!  Organectomy wonderfully and artistically blends old school death metal with more modern slam elements!
• Major themes: Death, destruction, violence, torment, darkness, gore, isolation, evil, the occult, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Eons Of Unyielding Darkness"
2. "Sanctum Of Deceit"
3. "Beckoning The Horrors Of The Depths"
4. "Intracranial Incubation"
5. "Archaic Infestation"
6. "Carnal Bloodlust"
7. "Terror Form"
8. "Inherent Revulsion"
9. "Cascading Into Despair"
10. "Domain Of The Wretched"
11. "Entropic Decay"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Offset Bier Company (Park City, Utah)
• Website: https://offsetbier.com/
• Brew: NZH-104 Single Hop Pale Ale
• Style: Pale Ale 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: NZH-104 hops 
• Pour: The NZH-104 pours a murky, dull golden-yellow hue with a frothy, off-white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots and lots of sticky, intricate lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is tropically fruity, citrusy, and malty.  There are aromas of clementine oranges, lemon zest, nectarine, guava, kiwi, papaya, melon, lemongrass, light caramel, and crackery biscuit.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose: fruity, citrusy, hoppy, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, lemon zest, lemon drop candy, kiwi, light pineapple, honeydew melon, fresh mango, and soft sweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the NZH104 is very crisp and smooth with a clean, slightly bittersweet finish.

Overall pairing: The Offset NZH-104 Pale Ale is a bright, complex, fruity, and hoppy, yet very inviting brew... a great foil for the brutal and dark death metal stylings of the mighty Organectomy on their excellent "Domain Of The Wretched" album!  I like the look of the album with the beer can label as well.  'Nuff said!

Cheers and hails!!

January 11th, 2025 - Manic Nirvana is Where Our Secrets Go

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and artisan beer lovers!  Happy Saturday!  The Meista here today pairing a delicious and bold Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout from Voodoo Brewing Company and Robert Plant's classic and kick-ass 5th album, "Manic Nirvana"!  Oh, yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Robert Plant
• Title: "Manic Nirvana"
• Recorded: 1989 at Olympic Studios in London, England
• Release date: March 19th, 1990 (5th solo studio album by Robert Plant)
• Record company: Es Paranza
• Production: Mark "Spike" Stent, Robert Plant, and Phil Johnstone
• Album cover art: The Leisure Process (art direction and design) and Ralph P. Fitzgerald (photography)
• Personnel: Robert Plant (lead and backing vocals) with Chris Blackwell (drums and guitars), Doug Boyle (lead guitars), Charlie Jones (bass), and Phil Johnstone (keyboards, programming, and guitars)
• Additional musicians: Laila Cohen (backing vocals), Carolyn Harding (backing vocals), Micky Groome (backing vocals), Siddi Makain Mushkin (voices on "Watching You"), and Bob Stride (backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, rock, blues rock, and pop
• Sound: The wonderfully textured, slick, and rocking "Manic Nirvana" is layered, soulful, vibrant, melodic, and wonderfully executed!  More guitar-driven than previous solo albums, "Manic Nirvana" further established Plant's legacy as a rock god and as a powerhouse act of the early '90s!
• Major themes: Life, love, relationships, heartbreak, desire, lust, sex, freedom, spirituality, music, history, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Hurting Kind (I've Got My Eyes On You"
2. "Big Love"
3. "S S S & Q"
   
4. "I Cried"
5. "She Said"
6. "Nirvana"
7. "Tie Die On The Highway"
8. "Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night"
9. "Anniversary"
10. "Liar's Dance"
11. "Watching You"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Voodoo Brewing Company (Meadville, Pennsylvania)
• Website: https://www.voodoobrewery.com/
• Brew: Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout
• Style: Imperial Stout
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV:  9.0%
• Ingredients: Caramel and crystal malts with American hops
• Pour: The Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout pours a deep, dark brown (almost ink black) with a very thin, light mocha head that dissipates quickly, leaving only trace lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, malty, and boozy.  There are aromas of dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, roasted walnuts, roasted malts, dark toasted bread, oak, hints of anise, bitter roots, burnt toffee, and rich bourbon.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose: malty, roasty, earthy, and bold.  There are notes of dark chocolate, hearty toasted bread, espresso, burnt toffee, and boozy bourbon.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with low carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout is thick, velvety, with a dry, boozy finish.

Overall pairing: With the sonic blast of Robert Plant's "Manic Nirvana", you need a brew that has complexity and big flavor!  Thus, the Where Our Secrets Go Imperial Stout from Voodoo Brewing Company!  The bold and earthy flavors of the brew are a great compliment to the rock and roll style of the wonderful tracks, while the sweeter, chocolaty and bourbon notes go great with the soaring vocals and guitars!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!

January 10th, 2025 - Shut Your Pie Hole & Listen to MindWars' "V"!!

 

Hello thrashers, metal maniacs, and hop lovers!  Happy Friday!  The Meista here today getting the weekend off to the right start with a pairing of "V", the wonderful 5th album by thrash metal band MindWars and a juicy, tart, and fruity Pie Hole Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale from Chappell Brewing!  Hells yes!!

Album Info:

• Artist: MindWars
• Title: "V"
• Recorded: January through May 2024 at Magic Shed 2.0 Studios in Los Angeles, California
• Release date: September 2nd, 2024 (5th studio album by Mindwars)
• Record company: New World Disorder Publishing
• Production: Cris Copat and MindWars
• Album cover art: Mario Lopez
• Personnel: Mike Alvord (guitars and vocals), Roby Vitari (drums), and Rick Zaccaro (bass) 
• Musical style: Thrash metal
• Sound: Channeling the raw thrash aggression of Alvord's old band Holy Terror, but with today's production capabilities, the sound on "V" is pure California thrash metal!  The songs are angry, wonderfully crafted, and heavy as hell with loads of killer hooks, riffs, and aggression!
• Major themes: Socio-politically charged, rebellious, and thoughtful, lyrical themes on the album include life and death, deception, oppression, darkness, fear, violence, freedom of speech, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Stand Guard At The Gates Of You Mind"
2. "West Of Nowhere"
3. "The Road To Madagascar"
4. "Chasing The Wind"
5. "Beneath The Trees"
6. "Live To Die"
7. "Crusaders"
8. "Source Of Destruction"
9. "Into The Known"
10. "Vultures Of The Eighth Wonder"
11. "The Logical Song" (Supertramp cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Chappell Brewing (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://chappell.beer/
• Brew: Pie Hole Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale
• Style: Sour / Fruited Gose
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Pie Hole Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale pours a bright pinkish orange hue with a thin and frothy light pink, half-finger head that dissipates quickly, leaving a thin ring with light lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity, tart, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of freshly sliced strawberries and rhubarb, strawberry jam, lemon zest, light cracked wheat, pale malts, a hint of salt, and a splash of wild honey.
• Taste: The taste follows the nose with lots of tart and fruity flavors along with more subtle maltiness.  There are notes of strawberry preserves, fresh strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice and zest, a hint of orange juice, crackery biscuit, and light honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Pie Hole Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale is crisp and tart, yet very smooth with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: Those fruity, tart, and very crushable flavors of Chappell Brewing's Pie Hole Strawberry Rhubarb Tart Ale are a great companion the thrash metal assault of Mindwars' killer "V" album!  The bright juiciness is a nice foil to the band's aggression and Alvord's vocals while the tarter flavors go great with the crunch of Alvord's fiery and emotive guitars, Zaccaro's thunderous and intricate bass lines, and Vitari's hard-hitting, machine gun fire drumming!

If you haven't done so already, check out my most recent interview with Mike Alvord here: https://youtu.be/Gw9dHCfmdBQ.  You can see my first interview with Mike Alvord from 2021 here: https://youtu.be/lalanROeddI .  Also, check out my interview with MindWars drummer Roby Vitari from 2022 here: https://youtu.be/CiExf_FY4_A

Hails and cheers!!

January 9th, 2025 - The Haze Between Redemption or Peace

 

Hello and happy Thursday metal maniacs and craft beer freaks!  The Meista here tonight with a pairing of "Redemption Or Peace", the great 3rd album by California metal/hard rock band Tyranny and a bold and hoppy The Haze Between (Deadhead IPA Series) from the fine folks at DESTIHL Brewery!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Tyranny
• Title: "Redemption Or Peace"
• Recorded: 
• Release date: January 2012 (3rd full-length studio album by Tyranny)
• Record company: J
• Production: Robert Mirabilio
• Album cover art: Hipgnosis 
• Personnel: Matt "Wolff" Chazin (drums and percussion), J.P. Iacoune (guitars), David Mirabilio (bass and backing vocals), and Robert Mirabilio (keyboards and vocals) 
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: Blending pure old school heavy metal and hard rock with classic rock, modern rock, progressive rock, and even a dash of punk, Tyranny's sound is very unique and complex yet provides some really straightforward rockin' goodness!  Robert Mirabilio's excellent finger work on the keys is reminiscent of Jon Lord and Ken Hensley.
• Major themes: Rebellion, life, death, hope, rock and roll, anger, freedom, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Stick It All, Sick Of It All"
2. "Plastic Dolls"
3. "Final Romance"
4. "Wish You Well"
5. "Waking The Dead"
6. "Off The Leash"
7. "Adios Amor"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: DESTIHL Brewery (Normal, Illinois)
• Website: https://www.destihl.com/
• Brew: The Haze Between (Deadhead IPA Series)
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.7%
• Ingredient: 2-row barley malt, flaked oats, and wheat combined with Citra, Simcoe, El Dorado®, and Idaho 7™ hops
• Pour: The Haze Between pours a very hazy, pale golden-yellow with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head with good retention and lots of sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy, tropical, floral, dank, and herbal.  There are aromas of tangerine, zesty orange peel, lemon zest, grapefruit rind, pineapple, mango, wildflowers, bold pine resin, herbal tea, crackery biscuit, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: Like the nose, the taste of The Haze Between is citrusy, tropical, slightly acidic, earthy, and herbal.  Hop-forward, there are notes of tangerine, pink grapefruit juice, orange juice, mango, grassy hops, orange tea, pine, and sweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, juicy, and smooth with a dry, bitter, slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The Haze Between is a delightfully crisp, hoppy, and complex brew... a great beer for the wonderful rock and roll sensibility of the very underrated Tyranny and their killer 3rd album, "Redemption Or Peace"!  'Nuff said!     

Cheers and hails!!

And make sure to check out my interview with Robert Mirabilio from 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvPJDrOO6U

January 5th, 2025 - Fresh Experience Sesh

 

Hello and happy Sunday rockers, rollers, and hop-lovers!  Your pal the Meista here with a pairing of the very entertaining and edifying "The Experience Sessions" by the late, great Noel Redding and a tasty Fresh Sesh IPA from the fine folks at Bewilder Brewing Company!! 


Album Info:

• Artist: Noel Redding
• Title: "The Experience Sessions"
• Recorded: 1967 through 1968 at Olympic Studios in Barnes, West London, United Kingdom, the Record Plant in New York City, New York, and  L'Olympia in Paris, France on January 29th, 1968
• Release date: 2003 (posthumous compilation album by Noel Redding)
• Record company: Image Entertainment / Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. / MCA Records
• Production: Chas Chandler, Jimi Hendrix, and Noel Redding
• Album cover art: Experience Hendrix, L.L.C.
• Personnel: Noel Redding (bass, rhythm and lead guitars, 12-string guitar, and lead and backing vocals) with Jimi Hendrix (lead and rhythm guitars, bass, and vocals), Dave Mason (sitar), Mitch Mitchell (drums and backing vocals), and Chris Wood (flute)
• Musical style: Hard rock / heavy blues rock with elements of psychedelic rock
• Sound: Full of wonderful hooks, grooves, and harmonies, this is Noel Redding at his best!  The previously unreleased recordings are worth their weight in gold and the energy and inventiveness is a joy to hear!
• Major themes: Life, love, relationships, loss, desire, rock and roll, the blues, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "There Ain't Nothing Wrong" (previously unreleased recording)
2. "Little Miss Strange"
3. "Walking Through The Garden" (previously unreleased recording)
4. "She's So Fine" (previously unreleased alternate recording)
5. "Little, Little Girl" (previously unreleased recording)
6. "How Can I Live?" (previously unreleased recording)
7. "Noel's Tune" (Take 1) (previously unreleased recording)
8. "Noel's Tune" (Take 2) (previously unreleased recording)
9. "Little Miss Strange" (previously unreleased alternate recording)
10. "She's So Fine"
11. "Dream" (previously unreleased recording)
12. "Red House" (live at L'Olympia in Paris, France on January 29th, 1968)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Bewilder Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://bewilderbrewing.com/
• Brew: Fresh Sesh IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Warrior, Citra, and Mosaic hops
• Pour: The Fresh Sesh pours a golden-yellow hue with a 1-finger, eggshell white, frothy head with good retention and intricate, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, floral, malty, and herbal.  There are sweet aromas of caramel and doughy bread, earthy aromas of pine resin and cedar as well as herbs and wildflowers, citrusy aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit, lime, and tangerine, and summer grass.
• Taste: Lots of citrus in this taste of this one.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, orange peel and pith, lime, tangerine, light melon, pine resin, and more subtle notes of black tea, orange tea, and grassy hops.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Fresh Sesh from Bewilder Brewing Company with all its complexity and balanced flavors, does a pretty fine job of accompanying the swinging grooves, heavy-duty punch, the multilayered depth, and the sheer rockin' fun of "The Experience Sessions"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!

January 4th, 2025 - Black Rose Beauty

 

Hello and rockers, rollers, and craft beer freaks!  Happy Saturday!  The Meista here on this snowy day pairing Thin Lizzy's phenomenal "Black Rose: A Rock Legend" album and a very bold, rich, roasty, and boozy Black Beauty Imperial Stout from my friend Dwight at Gossorino Brewing!  Hells yeah! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Thin Lizzy
• Title: "Black Rose: A Rock Legend"
• Recorded: December 1978 through February 1979 in Paris and London
• Release date: April 13th, 1979 (9th studio album by Thin Lizzy)
• Record company: Warner Bros.
• Production: Tony Visconti
• Album cover art: Jim Fitzpatrick
• Personnel: Brian Downey (drums and percussion), Scott Gorham (rhythm and lead guitars, and backing vocals), Phil Lynott (bass, twelve-string guitar, and vocals), and Gary Moore (rhythm and lead guitars, and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians:  Jimmy Bain (bass guitar on "With Love"), Huey Lewis (harmonica on "Sarah" and "With Love"), and Mark Nauseef (drums on "Sarah")
• Musical style: Hard rock, blues rock, Irish folk music
• Sound: HUGE double lead guitar harmonies, killer hooks, driving and grooving rhythms, and Lynott's soulful voice are all captured on "Black Rose: A Rock Legend"... that perfect, classic Thin Lizzy sound!!
• Major themes: Love, drugs, alcohol, partying, despair, rock and roll, and Celtic themes.
• Tracks: 
1. "Do Anything You Want To"
2. "Toughest Street In Town"
3. "S&M"
4. "Waiting For An Alibi"
5. "Sarah"
6. "Got To Give It Up"
7. "Get Out Of Here"
8. "With Love"
9. "Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Gossorino Brewing (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://gossorinobrewing.com/ 
• Brew: Black Beauty
• Style: Imperial Stout
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV 10.0%
• Pour: The Black Beauty Imperial Stout pours a deep, dark brown (almost ink black) color with a creamy, 1+ finger, mocha head with great retention and lots of sticky, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, malty, chocolaty, and boozy.  There are aromas of dark chocolate syrup, cocoa, dark toasted bread, roasted malts, dark roasted coffee beans, oak, rich bourbon, vanilla beans, and burnt toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Black Beauty Imperial Stout follows the nose with notes of espresso, dark chocolate, cocoa, rich bourbon, vanilla, black licorice, and hints of bittersweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with low carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Black Beauty Imperial Stout is velvety smooth, thick, and creamy with a dry, slightly bitter, and boozy finish.

Overall pairing:  The Gossorino Black Beauty Imperial Stout is a bold, dark, and richly complex brew... perfect for the soulful, heartfelt, rockin' goodness that is Thin Lizzy's fantastic "Black Rose: A Rock Legend"!  'Nuff said!

Sláinte!!  Rock on!!