Jim Markunas

Position: Editor-in-Chief

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Jim Markunas is a music industry futurist and editor-in-chief of Chicks With Guns Magazine. Jim has a decade of new media and music industry experience, he's run highly successful new media campaigns and has worked with James Brown, Miles Davis, The Walt Disney Company, Sam Sparro, Mick Fleetwood, and Minty Fresh Records. Currently Jim's focus is monetization strategies for record labels and digital business development.

Likes: Alternative, Rock, Metal, Hard Rock, Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop.

Twitter: Twitter.com/jimmarkunas

Facebook: Facebook.com/jimmarkunas

Myspace: Myspace.com/jimfuckinmarkunas

E-Mail: Editor@CWGmagazine.com

Victoria Hill

Position: Urban/Pop Editor

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Victoria is an established writer, poet and multi-tasker. She writes CWG's infamous White Chicks On Rap Column and handles most urban/pop releases.

Columns At CWG: White Chicks On Rap, Album Reviews

Likes: Rap, Hip-Hop, Pop, Brit-Pop.

Twitter: Twitter.com/PumpkinHill

Facebook: Facebook.com/profile.php?id=1493742618

Myspace: Myspace.com/victoriarmhill

E-mail: Victoria.Hill@CWGmagazine.com

Darwin Green

Position: Senior Editor

Location: Sherman Oaks, CA

Bio: Born March 4th, 1981 in Ojai, CA. Grew up writing and listening to music. Went to boarding school for high school. Worked in the Los Angeles entertainment industry for seven years in various fields. Currently working as a writer/lyricist in the Los Angeles area.

Likes: Everything that sounds good. I love experimental, electronica, classic rock, indie, classical, world, and stuff that pushes the boundaries the most. Some bands include (though hard to list just a few), Animal Collective, Phoenix, Metric, Radiohead, Vampire Weekend, Of Montreal, Pixies, Shins...I need to stop there or else I could go on for days.

Contact Darwin

Jeff Markunas

Position: Americana/Country Editor

Location: Chicago, IL

Bio: I was born with a Tele in one hand and a keyboard in the other (Sorry, Mom). I wrote my first song at age 5, and since then, I've played 20 years worth of gigs in clubs and on Tour. I’ve played with and seen the mundane and the musical geniuses of several decades.

I’ve also paid dues as an Audio Technician and Amp Designer, both independently and with multi-national music companies. I understand what it takes to put together a guitar string, or a guitar band, and I can build a guitar amp or a guitar riff in my sleep.

Currently I’m masquerading as a Webmaster for a large suburban educational body
and trying to get the word out to CWG readers about interesting new americana, country, soul and blues bands

Likes: Any Band that appreciates the history of American music and is trying to push the envelope. Show me that you know where you came from and that you know where you want to go - I'll support you 100 percent.

Columns At CWG: Otherside of Country

Contact Jeff

Jason Coldiron

Position: Rock/Metal Editor

Location: Sacramento, CA

Bio: I am a freelance writer and have found a way to make a living doing what I love. Music is my true love and life's passion. I am a bass player and still have the Rock N Roll dream, but I'm also realistic.

My primary mission on this website is to find and give a voice to as many bands as possible. 'The cream will always rise to the top' as they say, so my vision is to get as many people into the pot as possible so that they will have a chance.
In talking to bands I, of course, cover the basics, but my goal is much bigger. I want to know what makes them who they are and where the source of their artistic expression comes from. I am looking for the essence of what makes great music possible and to do that, I try to get into the minds and processes of musicians.

Likes: I believe that we have only scratched the surface of what is possible in music. I love any band that pushes boundaries. I can appreciate any music, even if it doesn't do anything for me. In my own time, you will mostly find me listening to any variety of metal and experimental music. To that end, the gods of metal like Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Pantera are high on my list, as are the artists of music such as Pink Floyd, The Mars Volta, Tom Morello and Les Claypool.

Columns At CWG: Coldiron Continuum

Twitter: twitter.com/coldironjason

Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

Myspace: myspace.com/coldironjason

E-mail: jason.coldiron@cwgmagazine.com

Colette Weintraub

Position: Contributor/Editor (Rock is a Girl's Best Friend)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Colette is a strategist and social media marketing consultant with a passion for music and writing. Colette has worked with companies including: (RED), Discovery Channel, Warner Bros., MySpace, Atlantic Records, RCA/BMG/Sony, Interscope, Fox, Music Today, Dreamworks, Disney, LP33.tv, and AEG. She’s created and executed marketing campaigns for musicians whom are lauded as “brilliant” (and they are), and who don’t want you to know they hire marketing people, so they’re not listed here.

Colette sees a lot of live music – sometimes as many as 3 shows in one night. She’s traveled to Dublin to see U2, to London to attend Live 8, and is a resident at festivals in the U.S. including: New Orleans JazzFest, All Points West, Bonnaroo, Rothbury, Outside Lands, Coachella, and Vegoose (RIP). Some of her favorite live performances to date are: U2 in Dublin (2005), Nine Inch Nails at The Henry Fonda Theater (2009), Radiohead at The Hollywood Bowl (every time), and Springsteen at Bonnaroo (2009).

Likes: Music (are you looking for something more specific?)

Columns At CWG: Rock Is A Girl's Best Friend, Live And Direct

Kelly KO

Position: Political Columnist/Editor (KO Zine)

Location: San Pedro, CA

Bio: Kelly KO recently graduated with her B.A. in communications with a minor in political science. She grew up in a small town in the Midwest. At the age of 20, she moved to NYC to work in the music industry. She moved to Los Angeles 3 years ago after visiting once and realizing she never wanted to see snow again. The 26-year-old deejays in her spare time and she’s also working on an independent magazine (“zine”) that she hopes to produce this summer. She is currently applying to grad schools.

Columns At CWG: Liberal Bias, KO Zine

Twitter: Twitter.com/kozine

Facebook: Facebook.com/deejayknockout

Grace Koh

Position: Columnist (GK ClusterF*ck)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: I'm an Iowa girl...born & raised. (That seems to shock the shit out of most.) I just spent 2 cultureless years in Vegas. (No...I wasn't a stripper.) I've been in Print Production & Graphic Design for nearly 8 years. Then I told my wildly successful professional career to "f*ck off" so I could finally bite the bullet. At the end of April 2009, I moved to L.A. with -$1800 in my bank account...and a cliché dream to go freelance.

Other random facts about me: I legally divorced my parents when I was 16. I was a fully licensed stock broker at 23. I've informally interviewed with the CIA for a clandestine agent position overseas. I've designed and managed projects for the biggest names in the liquor/brewing industries, for the most prevalent casinos in Vegas. Because of all this? I can't get hired as a waitress in L.A. (despite desperate, repeated attempts). Aside from writing, I dabble in many ventures. Sketch Comedy. Stand-up. Music. Art. Oh-so-much more. Most days you'll find me typing away in my breathtaking studio, scrupulously editing my latest non-fiction work or comedy sketch. Learn more about me at gracekoh.com.

Likes: (I have an affinity for...) farmers market. miniature things. points of ellipsis. old maps. typewriters. used book stores. kraft paper. office supplies. weekend getaways. latin. power tools. wood grain. snail mail. occasionally falling utterly in love with a complete stranger. very old houses. polaroid. a cleverly employed post script. foreign languages (particularly singing in them). things made by hand. windows. being ridiculous. manual cameras. trains. daydreams. astronomy. paper. randomness. the smell of scotch tape. the part of harmony in music. graphic novels. hardwood floors. independent films. genealogy. slide & overhead projectors. cigar boxes. obscurity. collecting books. paper & pantone swatches. silhouettes. museums. hydrangeas. art.

Columns At CWG: GK Clusterf*ck

Topher Jenkins

Position: Columnist (More Underground Than China)

Location: Sacramento, CA

Bio: Chris is a writer who treads lightly and carries a big stick -- literally. He mastered the didgeridoo early in life, and has been traveling the world with the lengthy wooden instrument ever since. He's recognized as a performer, but prefers to use the written word to unfurl this generation's deeper truths. If you ask him for a word of advice, he's likely to say, "Refine your style to a niche."

Likes: Chris enjoys music that makes him laugh, like Ween. If he's working on something difficult or serious, it's Deftones; only loosening up when MGMT plays in clubs. He's currently finding an interest in Sacramento indie bands, Be Brave Bold Robot, Goodness Gracious Me, Phantom Jets, and Prieta. Rare and peaceful world-beats, like Yat-Kha, comprise his penultimate musical preference, especially in type-A traffic jams. Overall what he listens to the most is dated underground hip hop that stirs thoughts, like Binary Star, Blueprint, Eyedea and Abilities, Living Legends, People Under the Stairs, Sage Francis, Visionaries, and Zion I.

Columns At CWG: More Underground Than China

Christopher Martinez

Position: Live Show Correspondent (No-Cal)

Location: Sacramento, CA

Bio: I play guitar and eat, sleep, live music. I really like going to shows, even local unknown bands. I'm also a professional photographer.

Likes: I'm really into punk, pop punk, power pop, emo, indie, ska, grunge and much more. Some of my favorite bands include: Blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, Nirvana, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, Gallows, Anti-Flag, Midtown, Forever The Sickest Kids, 3OH!3, Cobra Starship, New Found Glory, Danger Radio, and many more.

Columns At CWG: On Tour, Live and Direct

Twitter: Twitter.com/kickstartchris

Facebook:

David Carr

Position: Live Show Correspondent (Los Angeles)

Location: Long Beach, CA

Bio:David Carr is the assistant director of new teacher development and recruitment for a charter school management organization. David divides his time between going to education job fairs, both in and out of state, to recruit the most outstanding candidates to teach in charter schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area. When he is not working with first year teachers, he is a freelance writer, interviewing bands/artists and writing reviews of CDs and live shows. David was a 1993 Los Angeles Teach for America corps member. David is also a featured writer for Associated Content, an online magazine. He has taught at Compton High School Franklin Middle School, Animo Venice Charter High School and was a Teach for America program director in Los Angeles from 1998-2001.

Likes: Rock, alternative, hip-hop, punk, reggae, funk, blues, old school soul, metal - Foo Fighters, King’s of Leon, The Roots, TV On the Radio, Living Colour, Common, De La Soul, Social Distortion, Yeah Yeah Yeahs…the list goes on and on!

Columns At CWG: Reality Check, The Features

Twitter: Twitter.com/dcarr70

Facebook: Facebook.com/home.php?#/davidcarr70?ref=profile

Amanda Mac

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: My name is Amanda Mac and I am a 23-year-old gal living in Los Angeles. I grew up in a small town in the Bay Area where most of my weekends were spent listening to friends play shows in their garages, awww nostalgia. After spending 17 years in a small town I decided college would need to spice things up a bit and enrolled in San Francisco State University where i graduated with a BA in television broadcasting with an emphasis in writing for the internet. After living in SF for 4 years I bounced around a bit between various Bay Area locations and NYC. In May I woke up and found myself in LA, weird right? Well, that is enough about me. FIN.

Likes: I am a fairly girly -girl who hangs out with all dudes so my music has a very wide variety. My first concert ever was BSB however, my 18th birthday was spent at a Gwar show. Some of my current favorite music is: Of Montreal, Wave Machines, The Kill, Mock Orange, Discovery, Ra Ra Riot, Q and Not U, and basically anything I can dance to.

Twitter: Twitter.com/xxamandamacxx

Facebook: Facebook.com/msamandamac

Website/Blog: allidoisbitch.blogspot.com

Khadeeja Coonrod

Position: Contributing Writer (Features)

Location: Everywhere

Bio: Writer. Photographer. Dreamer who travels often. Music and book lover.
Explorer.

Likes: Bob Marley. Sade. Jimi Hendrix. The Temptations. Atmosphere. Brother Ali. U2. Gyptian. Lauren Hill. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Saul Williams. Sage Francis. Michael Franti. Alicia Keys. Harry Belafonte. Tom Waits. Matisyahu. I Self Devine.

Columns At CWG: The Features

Twitter: Twitter.com/khadeejac

Facebook: Facebook.com/khadeejac

Pablo Cortez

Position: Live Show Correspondent (Los Angeles)

Location: La Verne, CA

Bio: Pablo was raised on awesome music. Listening to Beatles, Vicente Fernandez, Los Freddys and Led Zeppelin albums blasting through his parent’s stereo led to a broad, rich musical taste he continues to explore. PC resides in the city of La Verne, CA and is currently pulling design duties with a degree in landscape architecture as well as contributing to music and video game review sites. He’s an avid reader and has been writing since the high school days with plans to continue doing so and share stories, thoughts and ramblings with anyone willing to sit through them. You can follow his daily musings on Twitter and be friends with him on Facebook.

Likes: All good music. What is good music? I’ll tell you when I hear it. Though I do tend to prefer the Indie sounds of rock, hip-hop and everything in between, or is that outside?

Columns At CWG: Reality Check

Twitter: twitter.com/PabloCortez

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pablo.cortez

Daniel Alcantara

Position: Contributing Writer

Location: St. Charles, IL

Bio: Dan has been writing since elementary school and only took a break to play the guitar. After a couple years of working in the Chicagoland indie scene, Dan decided to focus on really local music and the cultural phenomena known as an open mic. He is a husband, soon-to-be-daddy and a beginning copywriter(http://danwritesit.com). You can contact Dan at Twitter.com/DanWritesIt or through danwritesit.com.

Likes: Indie rock of the finest kind, singer-songwriter, and classic rock (Beatles and Beach Boys).

Columns At CWG: The Features

Paul Losada

Position: Contributing Writer (Features)

Location: Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, CA

Bio: This sums it up:

I'm working register at Amoeba Music when I do a double-take and see novelist Brett Easton Ellis approaching me from the line. I'm sweating and capable of folding a quarter with my asshole by the time I see his name imprinted on his American Express card and have to inform him we don't accept 'AmEx.' He mutters, "Fuck," under his breath while juggling a script and a slew of other cards emblazoned with that iconic 3-part name.

I ring him up and try to remain as cool and uncaring as possible. I say nothing and make no eye contact, but watch to see if he's willing to break the ice first. With each second that nothing happens I'm feeling more tense, and at some point hear myself say, "I'll hand this over to you at the other end." We walk side by side in our steps and when he passes the sensor I hand him the bag and suddenly erupt.

"You are the reason why I'm a writer living in Los Angeles!"

I want to cover my mouth and gasp but before I can I start rambling on about reading Less Than Zero at age 10, how I'm learning more about myself as a writer than ever before, and that a recent attempt to live happily on the east coast failed, hence why I'm back in LA and having the most surreal and serendipitous moment of my life.

I think we shook hands, I'm pretty sure he asked for my name, and I could of swore he said something about how he was glad I said something to him. We wished each other a good day and within a blink he was gone.

As I walk back to the register I'm tasting colors and hearing furniture, smiling like a goofball and ready to tell my co-workers to kill me now because my life had come full circle. Suddenly I stop dead in my tracks as disappointment crashes on me like cartoon anvil.

I realize Brett Easton Ellis just bought a CD by the Killers.

Likes: The Stooges "Funhouse" and The Velvet Underground & Nico album are good starting points.

Columns At CWG: The Features, Live and Direct

Hallie Madenski

Position: Contributing Writer (Features)

Location: Lake Oswego, OR

Bio: I live in Lake Oswego, just a few miles from the famous Indie melting pot of Portland, Oregon. I spend most of my time with my fiance, family and friends. I love playing tennis and watching most sports; excluding golf. I thrive on music and try to go to concerts often. I like to laugh and make others laugh. I'm enthralled with video games, making me somewhat of a nerd. I have three cats and don't mind being called a crazy cat lady. I love to read. I believe in reincarnation. I sometimes wish I was born in Canada, but I guess Oregon is second best. I blame my love of writing on my mom.

Likes: I like every genre of music, the majority of my favorites are rock or indie bands. Some of my favorites are: Metric, Garbage, Sonic Youth, The Kills, Depeche Mode, Tegan & Sara, Nirvana, Lady Gaga, Heatmiser, Gregory Isaacs, Faith No More, The English Beat, Fight Like Apes, Kill Hannah, Five Finger Death Punch, Britney Spears, Suffrajett, The Cliks, Seaweed, Boy Kill Boy, The Sounds, Noisettes, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Silversun Pickups and Be Your Own Pet.

Columns At CWG: The Features

Twitter: Twitter.com/halliem03

Facebook: Facebook.com/halliem03

Warren J. McCrickard

Position: Reviews Writer (Female-Fronted)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Born and bred a Southern boy, Warren J now resides in the North East LA community of Eagle Rock. Since moving here over five years ago, he has created for himself a niche in both the film and music world. He works at Summit Entertainment and owns his own music management company, YNM Management. He is fortunate to have the greatest wife in the world and is thankful to be apart of such a talented staff of writers. So inspired by Chick With Guns, Warren J thought he might start a site called Dudes with a Curling Irons but thought better of it.

Likes: I like music that is challenging; that provides thought and inspiration. I spend a lot of time listening to real jazz (not smooth jazz) - www.jazzandblues.org - Folk, Americana, Indie, Indian, Singer/Songwriter, sophisticated Hip-Hop, and lax Latin. I enjoy artists like Alexa Woodward, Damien Rice, Iron & Wine, Jeben Marshall, Common, Drew Stedman, Adele, Citizen Cope, Grizzly Bear, Lauryn Hill (I miss you!), She & Him, The Decemberists, U2, The Beatles, Seu Jorge, and occasionally Kelly Clarkson, Third Eye Blind, and ODB (You gotta have Pop and Rap crushes!).

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Twitter: Twitter.com/managerwarrenj

Facebook: Facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/YNM-Management/138167914175

James Swigart

Position: Reviews Writer (Modern Rock)

Location: Torrance, CA

Bio: My educational background is in business and in mathematics. I've worked in the restaurant, banking, consulting, energy, software, investment, and education industries. I've lived primarily in southern California and also in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Houston, Manhattan, and Saudi Arabia.

Likes: My favorite bands are R.E.M., Van Halen, the Babys, and Echo and the Bunnymen. My favorite genres are alternative and classic rock. The first concert that I saw was ELO. The best concert that I've seen was the Waterboys.

Twitter: Twitter.com/JimSwigart

Jack Walker

Location: Sacramento, CA

Bio: Jack is a writer and likes music.

Likes: Influences range from Trad. Jazz to Funk and a little bit inbetween but my main influences are John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, The master of smooth Michael Franks, Gary Bartz, George Duke, Osiris, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Emmons, John Anello, Johnny Paycheck, Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Tower of Power, Chicago, Sly Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, and the Sweat Band. I also like AC/DC, Led Zepplin, and Eric Clapton on the Rock side....

Twitter: Twitter.com/fulltilt2000

Facebook: Jack Walker, Sacramento, CA

Myspace: Myspace.com/spiritzoneprod

Tim Bannock

Position: Reviews Writer (Metal/Hard Rock)

Location: North Hollywood, CA

Bio: Music became one of Tim's long-lasting and most torrid love affairs when he was exposed to AC/DC and Jimi Hendrix at the ripe age of 1. After working at The Music Outlet in Enfield, CT (at a notably more legal working age), he witnessed the rise of the "Boston-area Metal Scene" and the likes of Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, and others. Now in the Hollywood-area, Tim hopes to continue the romance by hearing new albums, experiment a little with cheating by checking out new bands, and get his groove-thing on loud enough for the world to hear by reviewing all this stuff!

Likes: Arcturus, Front Line Assembly, Fear Factory, Skyclad, Solefald, Soilwork, Testament, AC/DC, Black Sabbath (all eras), Delerium, Balligomingo, Goldfrapp, Deftones, Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend, Zimmers Hole, Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Darkane, Godflesh, Pitchshifter, Meshuggah, Prototype, Sikth, This Is Menace, Killing Joke, Ministry, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Stuck Mojo, OLD, Phantomsmasher, Faith No More, Billy Joel, Machine Head, Rorschach Test, Warmen, Angel Dust, Dream Theater, Blind Guardian, Voivod, Razed In Black, DJ Pr0n, Junkie XL

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Twitter: Twitter.com/timbannock

Facebook: Facebook.com/tim.bannock

Justin Rands

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Just recently moved back home after living in San Francisco for 7 years. Developed a horrible case of internet ADD over my lifetime which is intensified by drinking way too much coffee during the day. Usually have music playing all day, am playing music, or writing about music. Getting used to living back in Los Angeles. You can probably find me stumbling around Silverlake / Echo Park area, either at a show or at a bar.

I'm on the internet constantly: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Likes: In no particular order... The Wrens, The Zombies, Radiohead, 13th Floor Elevators, Women, The Crocodiles, Girls, Sunset Rubdown, Andrew Bird, Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, French Miami, The Whigs, A B and The Sea, Wilco, The Walkmen, Spoon, Modest Mouse, Ugly Cassanova, The Tornados, Syd Barrett, The Rolling Stones, Pavement, Elvis Costello, Fiona Apple, St. Vincent, Department of Eagles, Elliott Smith, Grizzly Bear, Beck, Deerhunter, Built to Spill, Califone, Broken Social Scene, Animal Collective, Black Lips, The Pixies, The Postal Service, Patrick Watson, Caribou, Explosions in the Sky, Autolux, Allen Trouisant, The Strokes, Air, Battles, Beirut, Bowie, Electrelane, Guided by Voices, John Vanderslice, Joy Division, M. Ward, Little Joy, Menomena, Midlake, Mogwai, TV on the Radio, The Velvet Underground, Sufjan Stevens

Huge indie fan obviously. Any rock and roll. Electronic gets me at times. Jazz. Folk.

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Twitter: Twitter.com/justin_rands

Facebook: Facebook.com/J.randz

Gchat: jrands@gmail.com

Heather Wysocki

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Santa Monica, CA

Bio: Las Vegas born and Massachusetts bred, Heather Wysocki worked as a newspaper reporter while attending a college down the street from Harvard, then packed up everything to pursue fame and fortune (or at least writing about it) in Los Angeles. She currently splits her time between freelancing, working as a publicist's assistant in Beverly Hills, and attempting to find the perfect pad thai recipe. She loves Los Angeles' palm trees, hates its freeways, and refuses to give up her love for the Boston Red Sox (sorry, Manny).

Likes: musicians that are/sound like: Led Zeppelin, Modest Mouse, The Doors, Pixies, Toms Petty and Waits, Wilco, Weezer, Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Green Day, Queen, The Cars, Brand New, Muse, The Kills (and The Killers), David Bowie, Billie Holiday, Queen, My Morning Jacket, The Bravery, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Iron & Wine, Smashing Pumpkins, Ryan Adams, etc.

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Dave Brooks

Position: Reviews Writer (Metal)

Location: North Hollywood, CA

Bio: Just your typical guitar wielding maniac trying to find the other mentally disabled people in society. I promise to make you feel uncomfortable if we meet.

Likes: 2pac, 311, A Life Once Lost, A Perfect Circle, AC/DC, Aerosmith, An Endless Sporadic, Beastie Boys, Beatles, Beck, Between the Buried And Me, Black Label Society, Black Sabbath, Bloodsimple, Bob Dylan, C+C Music Factory, Chevelle, Chimaira, Commodores, Coolio, Counting Crows, CCR, Crowbar, Cryptopsy, Cypress Hill, DMB, David Bowie, Deftones, Dethklok, Devildriver, Divine Heresy, DJ Shadow, Doors, Down, Dr. Dre, Eagles, Eazy E, Elton John, Eminem, Eric Clapton, Fear Factory, Fleetwood Mac, Frank Zappa, Fuck...I'm Dead, God Forbid, Gojira, Gorillaz, Green Day, G 'n R, Immortal Technique, In Flames, Incubus, Jay-Z, Jimi Hendrix, Killswitch Engage, Kreator, Lamb of God, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, Ludacris, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Machine Head, Mariah Carey, Mars Volta, Marvin Gaye, Mastodon, Meshuggah, Metallica, Method Man, Mudvayne, NIN, No Doubt, Notorious B.I.G., OutKast, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Poison the Well, Primus, Queen, Radiohead, RATM, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Refused, Remebering Never, Rolling Stones, Rumplestiltskin Grinder, Sevendust, SFU, Skee-Lo, Slayer, Slipknot, Snoop Dogg, Soulfly, Soundgarden, Spin Doctors, Staind, SRV, STP, SYL, Sublime, Superjoint Ritual, SOAD, Tenacious D, Testament, The Acacia Strain, The Guess Who, The Roots, The White Stripes, The Who, Threat Signal, Throwdown, TLC, Tom Petty, Toni Braxton, Tool, True Zero Hook, Unearth, Van Halen, Warren G, Ween, Weezer, Wigonix, Wreckx-N-Effect, Wu-Tang Clan, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, ZZ Top

Facebook: Facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?ref=name&id=100000412976149

Twitter: Twitter.com/davebreview

Tom Kielty

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Portland, Oregon

Bio: Born in Boston, MA. 22, Graduated from UO in 2009 w/ a Russian History major. I enjoy snowboarding, reading, Netflix, dancing+happy hours, and playing guitar w/ The Bird Dogs. Favorite quote "It is a short walk from the hallelujah to the hoot." - Nabokov

Likes: The Jesus Lizard, Can, Andres Segovia, Jason Becker, Lush, Tokyo Electron, Sparks, Red House Painters, Gang of Four, Pantera, Squeeze, The Fall, Paganini Niccolo, Faust, The Intelligence, Big Black, Bad Brains, Fatal Flying Guilloteens, Cash Money, Mac Dre, Hammerhead, Chris Lake, DJ Assault, DJ Secret Squirrel and Underground Elephant, Hot Chip, CCS, Ghostland Observatory and any many more!

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Website: nwigc.blogspot.com

Mike Acker

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Portland, OR

Bio: I've been living in Portland since 2002, and am about to finish a Masters of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing at Portland State University. I have spent all but five of my twenty-six years living in the Pacific Northwest. In about a month I'll be among the many overeducated and underemployed in the Rose City

Likes: Almost everything. I tend to favor indie rock, and underground hip-hop, but I've been known to bump a little classic rock and the occasional pop album.

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Twitter: twitter.com/mikeacker

Ralph Greco, Jr.

Position: Reviews Writer (Hard Rock)

Location: New Jersey

Bio: Ralph Greco, Jr. is a world-wide published author of short stories, essay, one-act plays, SEO copy, pre-recorded 900# phone sex scripts, reviewer and children's songwriter. Ralph is an ASCAP licensed songwriter and Internet DJ as well, and lives in the wilds of suburban NJ.

Likes: Mainly 'progressive' rock of the 70's-ELP, Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Yes

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Ben Millikan

Position: Reviews Writer (Modern Rock)

Location: Diamond Bar, CA

Bio: I just recently graduated in May with a Bachelors Degree in English/Comparative Literature from Cal-State Fullerton. I am a voracious reader and an avid writer. I have lived in Southern California my whole life and when time permits (and I’m not engrossed in a novel) I enjoy playing guitar, ice hockey, photography, and going to shows in and around my local music scene.

Likes: I enjoy everything from heavy-metal to folk. There is too much music out there to be confined within a single genre. Some of my favorite bands/singers are: Strung Out, Thrice, Brand New, Nancy Sinatra, The Low Anthem, Less Than Jake, and on, and on.

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

John Rabb

Position: Reviews Writer (Metal)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: John Rabb is exactly like the characters he writes about. He is very tough and has been known to break a Vienna roll with his bare hands. He lives in a French Provincial chateau on Mulholland Drive. It is a fairly small place of forty-eight rooms and fifty-nine baths. He dines off gold plates and prefers to be waited on by naked dancing girls. He has fourteen telephones on his desk, including direct lines to New York, London, Paris, Rome, and Santa Rosa. He does not regard himself as a dead shot, but is pretty dangerous with a wet towel. All in all his favorite weapon is the twenty dollar bill.

Likes: Metaaaaaaaaal!!!! Lamb of God, Black Sabbath, Slayer, White Zombie, Motorhead, Pantera, Opeth, Hank III & Superjoint Ritual, Amon Armoth, Black Flag, Bad Religion, Chimaira, Guns N Roses, and Throwdown.

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews, All Things Heavy

Joe Cardenas

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Portland, OR

Bio: University of Oregon Alumni with a degree in Digital arts. I love music and play multiple instruments such as guitar, ukulele, and more. I'm currently a freelance Designer and really enjoy hanging out with friends, jamming, working out, and just being outright ridiculous.

Likes: The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Offspring, Buckethead, Built to Spill, Jimi Hendrix, Gorillaz, Infectious Grooves, Audioslave. I really love all types of of music, especially rock-based genres.

Twitter: twitter.com/paperjoe

Facebook: facebook.com/people/Joe-Cardenas/11503016

Myspace: Myspace.com/jzzam

Blog/Website: paperjoe.blogspot.com/

Victor Alfieri

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Greenville, SC

Bio: Victor grew up on Long Island, NY, but moved south when he realized he could not survive the cost of living. He lives in Greenville, SC with his wife and three kids. After spending eleven years in financial services, he has traded suits and ties for shorts and t-shirts and is trying to make a living as a freelance writer.

Likes: He grew up with parents who were obsessed with music. His father would turn him on to Led Zeppelin, the Stones, the Who, Clapton and all the great rock bands of the seventies. His mother lived for Motown. The Tops and Temptations, Smoky and the Supremes as well as the Jackson 5. Victor is never far from his IPod and its always on shuffle. You could go from Miles Davis to Linkin Park, Ben Harper to U2, The Beatles to Phish.

Twitter: twitter.com/WordKraPHt

Blog/Website: www.wordkrapht.com, http://wordkrapht.com/blog2/

Sebastian Barnum

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Portland, OR

Bio: I've lived all over the pacific coast, and the Portland atmosphere is my favorite, and so I have lived in portland for the last 10 years. I play in a band around Portland, and have been playing guitar for 6 years.

Likes: Indie, Rock, AltRock, Grunge, and Punk. I am a huge "Led Head," and grew up listening to the greats (The Who, Rush, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, etc.) The top five concerts I've been to would be 1. Alice In Chains, 2. The Raconteurs, 3. The Kills, 4. Silversun Pickups, 5. The Dead Weather.

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/profile/sebastian.barnum

Myspace: myspace.com/knobbers123

Lindsey Hecht

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Seattle, WA

Bio: Lindsey has always been involved in the local/global music scene and since age 16, she has organized events and booked venues. Thinking that a record label was the logical next step, she interned at EMI Music and soon found out that her love for music could not possibly be satisfied in Miami. She is an avid traveler, having been as far as Thailand, and as close as Mexico, but recently moved to the heart of grunge - Seattle! She loves going to live shows, watching movies, drinking beers and hopes to get her name out there in effort to spread the joy of music! Underground and Mainstream bands alike!

Likes: The Avett Brothers. Death Cab for Cutie. The Thrills. Portishead. The Cure.Incubus. NIN. Smashing Pumpkins. Wilco. Smoking Popes. Monsters of Folk. Alkaline Trio. Bright Eyes, Bjork. Emiliana Torrini. The Shins. Dandy Warhols. Postal Service. HotHotHeat. Modest Mouse. Pink Floyd. The Strokes.

Facebook: Facebook.com/Lindsey.Hecht

Myspace: Myspace.com/Tafebannaw

Blog/Website: Tafebannaw.livejournal.com

C.W. Ross

Position: Reviews Writer (Alt/Indie)

Location: Johnstown, PA

Bio: I grew up listening to rock music but can appreciate almost any style. I've been writing about music for close to 30 years now for magazines and newsletters, along with running several music related blogs over the past several years including, The CD Reviewer.com and ChristianRockersOnline.com. I also collect Pez dispensers. I lost count but I think I have around 250-300 of them now in my collection. Keep Rocking!

Likes: Alternative, Blues, Pop, Rock, Christian Rock, Hard Rock, Punk, and Zydeco. My two favorite bands are AC/DC and Lynyrd Skynyrd (only the original lineup).

Columns At CWG: Album Reviews

Casandra Armour

Position: Live Shows Writer

Location: Burbank, CA

Bio: As a small child, I had a pretty sincere appreciation of who The Beatles, The Stones, The Who and other legends were. It is rumored that in Portage County, in the dregs of Northeastern Ohio, a toddler incarnation of me used to thoroughly entertain stoned friends of my parents. Vinyl record sleeves from my their substantial collection were laid out all over the room. Any one person could point to any one of albums and I could name it. Later, finding that same little daughter lost in in the grocery store was easy for my young mother. I was singing "Billy Jean" at the top of my lungs a few aisles away.

My favorite FM radio station played "Its The End of The World As We Know It" for 24 hours on the day of its demise, in 1999. Cleveland's 107.9 The End had fostered a deep and exhaustive love of alternative music in me during the late nineties. When I got ready for school each dark chilly morning or laid to rest late, late, at night, it was my best friend. Oasis' What's The Story Morning Glory was the first CD I ever purchased for myself. Used record stores became havens where I indulged my every alt and indie whim during my teens. I got Licensed To Ill one day, ten years after it was released, used and loved. I bought every Beastie Boys release I could ever find after that.

In my earliest twenties I was a straight girl deejay in a gay bar in Downtown Pittsburgh, where I also tended bar and spent nearly all my free time. Everything I knew about music from the 70's and 80's was expanded: more disco, better disco, in fact; more glam rock, the best; the most killer pop and R&B. I loved hearing Bowie's "Rock N Roll Suicide" wailed during karaoke or requesting cheesy dance remixes of Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" (or Erasure's cover) on drunken Saturday nights. I fell hard after being introduced to drum & bass and dub and working them into my playlists: which abolished my prior prejudice that techno and electronica were just for snotty suburbanites disguised as ravers. And the internet brought me every request or curiosity I needed to fulfill.

At the end of the summer of 2009, I moved to Los Angeles where some of my favorite acts were spawned, where some of my most respected have lived on stage.

Likes: What I'll karaoke sober includes Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man," The Cardigan's "Lovefool," "Stay" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories. After a few, I might do a throaty rendition of The White Stripes' "Dead Leaves and Dirty Ground." While I'm totally shit-faced I'll go for broke with The Bangles' "Eternal Flame" or The Beastie's "Paul Revere." Someday I plan on doing The Foo Fighters' "The Best of You" or The Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon." I practice Erasure's "A Little Respect" and Elvis Costello's "Veronica" when I'm alone. I've been coerced into "Stan" by Eminem before (I was Dido), as well as "Groove Is In The Heart" by De La Soul and "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind. None of which do I know the words to as well as one would hope. I fell in love with the first boy to karaoke "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty, with me.

Facebook: Facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1263259922

Myspace: www.myspace.com/cashole

Website: If you can stand reading this self indulgent bio, look for the launch of my blog on 01/01/10!

Quinn Allan

Position: Contributing Writer (Interviews)

Location: Portland, OR

Bio: I'm Quinn. I'm an actor, a musician, a writer, and a Buddhist. I live in Portland OR with my girlfriend, and I'm always looking for new and exciting prospects. As a writer, I pride myself in providing a scope from which my unique views can be seen from and strive to ask questions that others wont.

Likes: I love folk music and indie rock. Some of my favorite bands include: Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, Tom Waits, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Nick Drake, and The Decemberists.

Columns At CWG: Live and Direct

Twitter: Twitter.com/QuinnAllanPNW

Facebook: Facebook.com/home.php?#/quinn.allan?ref=profile

Chris Young

Position: Contributing Writer (Live Shows)

Location: Portland, OR

Bio: Goal-oriented: Discover a band every day. Ambitious: Catch a concert every night. Possibly deaf: But I can still feel the beat.

This lad is a PDX native passionate about rock'n'roll, electro-dancepop, hip-hop, synthesizers, and things with buttons and lights. Tell him about a show. Send him a song.

Likes: Jimi Hendrix, Bloc Party, The Raconteurs, Heavenly Oceans, The Strokes, Sigur Rós, Beirut, Sufjan Stevens, PYRAMID, The Black Keys, Metric, Baustelle, Cut Copy, Joy Division, Elbow, Hockey, Fanfarlo, Kings of Leon, Empire of the Sun, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters, New Order, Digitalism, LCD Soundsystem, Ray Lamontagne, Mando Diao, The Roots, Queen, and who can't resist a little Beyoncé or Rihanna.

Twitter: twitter.com/wizzoman

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chrisyoung19

Blog: whoareyouamico.blogspot.com/

Michael Raysses

Position: Contributing Writer (Politics)

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio:Born in Gary, Indiana, (yes, that Gary, Indiana), Raysses is an ex-attorney-turned-writer/actor. Having a profound love for the classics, he has fashioned a writing career that harkens back to another era—which is to say, he writes. Author of the syndicated column Greek to Me, Raysses’ work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times Sunday magazine. He contributed to the New York Times bestseller The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2. Raysses has also lent his pen (and voice) to National Public Radio’s Day to Day Show, contributing several pieces of commentary to that program.

In life as in his writing, Raysses appreciates candor. To that end, he is currently looking for creative ways to avoid finishing a first draft of his memoirs, entitled “Lies I’ve Told Myself.”

Musically speaking, Raysses was the little-known sixth member of the Spice Girls, Old. Since being drummed out of the band, he has refocused his efforts on creating a Dixie Chicks tribute band comprised entirely of post-operative transsexual men-to-women called the Chicksie Dicks.

Hope springs infernal…

Columns At CWG: Politics

Luke Winkie

Position: Reviews Writer - Alt/Indie

Bio: Just your averege 18-year-old music critic with SERIOUS OPINIONS about Television's Marquee Moon.

Likes: All sorts of music, specific bands that have touched me in some way; Nurse With Wound, Wu-Tang Clan, Daft Punk, Radiohead, David Bowie, The Pop Group, Nas, Animal Collective, Los Campesinos! Can, Led Zeppelin

Twitter: Twitter.com/ourillwills

Facebook: Facebook.com/luke.winkie

Andy Sweat

Position: Contributing Writer

Location: Los Angles, CA

Bio: All I have is my OCD. Addicted to coffee and bacon.

Likes: post-punk, punk, no wave, indie, shoegaze, mom and pop spittoon singing blues

Myspace: myspace.com/rudetoodo

Pandie Suicide

Position: Rock/Metal Writer

Location: Hollywood, CA

Bio: Alt pin-up model/writer from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Music is my life. Other than music, making art be it through posing for the camera, putting words down on paper or otherwise, vegan food, words, getting to the next level, traveling, and adventure are the reasons why I breathe!

Likes: Metal - specifically death metal, black metal, grindcore, 80's metal, industrial metal, actually most forms of metal haha, hard rock, some punk, a little electro and hip hop. But generally, the heavier the better!!

Twitter: Twitter.com/pandie_suicide

Myspace: Myspace.com/pandie_suicide

Website: theadventuresofpandie.blogspot.com

Nicholas Bates

Position: Photographer

Location: Pasadena, CA

Bio: Originally an alien being, Nick now resides in the body of a human being. He may not have liked it much in the past, but has learned to love it and has made the best of it. You can usually find Nick working on music, or taking photos at hardcore shows while evading kicks to his head and equipment. He enjoys repealable decals and psychology, southern California summers and anything that will “open his mind.” His works range from fashion photography and event photography to music and auto racing events. His work can be seen at: www.batesimaging.com Drop him a line, he loves that. info@batesimaging.com

Likes: From IDM to ragtime, I never stop discovering new music. Boundaries are useless. In life, and in music. Some favorites: Amenra, Cex, DJ Sasha, Buried Inside, R.L. Burnside

Facebook: Facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1451719722

Website: www.batesimaging.com

Charlie Hanks

Position: Features Writer

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Bio: Mom for the last 3 years, vocalist for an unsigned metal band for the last 8 years, graphic designer for 10 years and writer for over 15 years. Starting with cut and paste high school zines to editing and managing a regional monthly magazine for 2 1/2 years, I have been passionate about music and writing as long as I can remember.

Likes: I love all music but tend to lean towards metal, hard rock, and alternative. My favorite bands right now are Dillinger Escape Plan, Bury Your Dead and Made out of Babies

Myspace: www.myspace.com/bipolar, www.myspace.com/charliehanks

Website: www.domesticrockstar.wordpress.com

Sara Ledesma

Position: Staff Writer

Location: L.A. transplant from San Francisco

Bio: A story-teller and student of Life, known for always taking her artistic and journalistic passions seriously, but never making the mistake of taking herself too seriously.

Likes: the smell of fresh laundry, a good glass of wine, interesting conversation, playing with my dog, Chico, the Arts and Entertainment, telling stories, creating art, seeking Wisdom, spreading knowledge, and the great outdoors.

Columns At CWG: Politics

Website: SaraLedesma.com

Steve Sawyer

Position: Contributing Writer

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Bio: Steve is one half of the creative force for 16 Bits of Fashion Fury, and Sin Dee Custom Sewing and Design. He's unusually obsessed with all things gaming, music, media, and fashion. When he's not wasting inordinate amounts of time on Steam playing Left 4 Dead he can usually be found hanging around in K-Town listening to his friends Sahtyre, and Lyraflip rhyme, or yelling at pigeons in Downtown Los Angeles while sourcing materials for his various, and nefarious creative projects. When asked what he ultimately wanted to accomplish with his life and career Steve responded by saying "You're not a plate of croissants!"

Likes: strangers, videogames, food, adventure, clothes, electronics, and pretty much every conceivable genre of music outside of country music, and even then, there are exceptions.

Twitter: Twitter.com/16boff

Facebook: facebook.com/rageofthemage

Myspace: Myspace.com/ninjacpu

Jake Sigi

Position: Photographer

Location: San Ramon, CA

Bio: Northern California native who enjoys reading, sarcasm, people, travel, conversation, music, and of course, photography..

Likes: I really enjoy the 1950's and 60's, before music started being made with computers. In addition, I enjoy indie, alternative, rock, folk, grunge, punk, etc. Some favorites include: The Velvet Underground, Animal Collective, The Clash, Glasvegas, Modest Mouse, Sigur Ros, and the freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

Twitter: Twitter.com/hey_jake

Facebook: Facebook.com/jakesigl

Myspace: Myspace.com/popsigl

Flickr: Flickr.com/photos/jakesigl

Josh Tremba

Position: Contributing Writer (Politics)

Location: Forest Falls, CA

Bio: I am a English school dropout. Or is it, an English school dropout? Who cares, as long as you know what I mean. The school I dropped out of was Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, otherwise knows as Amish wonderland. I decided to move westward to the Golden Coast, where dreams come true. Five years passed and I am still in Southern California, now I just need to figure out what the 'dream' really is, and where the hell its hiding.

Interests: A quote from Jack Kerouac's "The Dharma Bums" recently caught my attention: "...my karma was to be born in America where nobody has any fun or believes in anything, especially freedom." Although this quote hold tinges of Hinduism and reincarnation, it shapes a critique of the American standard of living by comparing it with Buddhist allegory and all the while opening up to what kind of society we are capable of. That's a lot to take in for a small quote if you ask me, that's why I never finished the book. I don't think Jack ever wanted me to finish it. If he did he wouldn't have put all these ridiculously thought provoking quotes in it. The Buddha found true freedom by eliminating suffering and abiding by logical life rules. I suppose like a lot of people, my main interest in life is pursuing true freedom of mind and soul. Whether it be sliding down a snowy peak, sipping coffee on perfectly dreary day, or watching the right flock of birds fly overhead on the right sunset. In particular, I believe music and art are the most freeing of all. that is because they are the most important languages we posses. A beautifully composed song, or well done art can communicate ideas where words just don't suffice. Let me draw you a picture, you will understand then.

Columns At CWG: Politics

Erik Rader

Position: Contributing Writer (Features)

Location: Seattle, WA

Bio: Singer/songwriter since 1981, married since 1993, dad since 2005. Recent experiments in instrumental/soundtrack music under the name Pyrolysis.

Likes: Who, Small Faces, Jam, Guided By Voices, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Spoon

Columns At CWG: The Features

Twitter: Twitter.com/erikr

Facebook: Facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=516127777&ref=profile

Jamie Sean Lardner

Position: Rock Writer

Location: Northern, VA

Bio: I was born in England. Grew up in Virginia. Rocked hard as a firefighter in Delaware. Served some time in Mississippi. Had a reaffirmation of what's important while in rehab in California. Now I'm back in Virginia to pursue a degree in Liberal Arts. I lift massive weights, drink vast amounts of Livingston's Burgundy and Heavy Screwdrivers, write intoxicating epics, take sweet care of my lady, and play with puppies.

Likes: I live to get radical and the sweet jams that help in that cause are by Type O Negative, Meshuggah, Adversary, Eyes Set To Kill, Tool, All That Remains, Throwdown, Megadeth, Strapping Young Lad, Van Nuys Music Corporation, Kina Grannis, Machine Head, Black Sabbath, Weedeater, Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Babes In Toyland, Primus, Alethea, Mercy Screams, The Game, Classic Guns N' Roses, Dream Theater, Tool, Slayer, Lamb Of God, Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Sinead O'connor, Earth Crisis, Leonard Cohen, Down, Rise Against, Sepultura, 30 Seconds To Mars, Crowbar, Tupac, Deftones, Concrete Blonde, Mastodon, E. Town Concrete, Hatebreed, Pantera, Straight Line Stitch, Killswitch Engage, Alice In Chains, Rush, Fiona Apple, The Agonist, Danzig, Staind, Ministry, Soulfly, Queen, Trivium, Within Temptation, Flaw, Van Halen, Corrosion Of Conformity, The Haunted, In Flames, Dragonforce, Led Zeppelin, White Zombie, Evanescense, Ozzy, Faith No More, Byzantine, Crucial Taunt, The Misfits.....And many more.

Facebook: Facebook.com/JamieLardner