Bill Berends: Merry Christmas and Happy Everything 2014

Season's Greetings folks.
http://billberends.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Everything 2014

Bill Berends: Gibson 70's Tribute Firebird

100w Marshall JCM800. No pedals.
The Berends Brothers Band
http://berendsbrosband.com
http://billberends.com
Gibson 70's Tribute Firebird

Bill Berends,Cheryl Pyle,JampyKeys: Beyond The Outer Imagination Of Dreams

Cheryl Pyle (NY) Poem & Flutehttp://www.youtube.com/user/redhaired...
Bill Berends (NJ) Guitar http://billberends.com/
JampyKeys (IT) Music, Synthesizers, Programming, Mix & Video montage

Poem:
a spaceship exploring...
quietly soaring out
to the endless edge of galaxy
following the fractal road map
beyond the outer imagination of dreams
nothing is as it seems...

a spaceship exploring...
silently traveling out
to the endless edge of the unknown

hovering suspended time alone
beyond the outer perception of dreams
nothing is as it seems....

Some movies from ESA-Hubble

BEYOND THE OUTER IMAGINATION OF DREAMS

Plus

Ancient mysteries are out there - with Cheryl Pyle - flute

Bill Berends: birthday and CD release party tonight!

Wrapping up this Kickstarter with the official CD release today, December 18th!

For those who haven't done so, you can now visit billberends.com to make a CD or download purchase, and various distribution options will be added as time goes on, but ordering direct is the best method. Again, many thanks to everyone who pledged on Kickstarter to help make this album a reality!! I love you guys!!

Also a reminder to folks in the local NJ-PA area about the combination birthday and CD release party tonight, Tuesday, December 18th at John & Peter's in New Hope PA!! Starting around 8pm with The Berends Bros Band and other jam participants. We hope to see some of you there!!

Dec. 18th, 2012, 8pm - Bill Berends' birthday and CD release party - John &amp ; Peter's, New Hope PA

Info and map: billberends.com/schedule.html

All pre-orders were shipped out a week ago, so everyone in the USA should have received theirs by now and hopefully, overseas participants will be getting their's shortly. If anyone has any problems, or for some reason doesn't get their disc, please get in touch and I will take care of you. As mentioned previously, it will still be a little while before the posters get mailed out, but soon! Sometime this week.

So far the initial feedback has been very positive! Very nice, indeed. Thank you all!

Best holiday wishes to everyone!!!

Bill Berends
billberends.com

Bill Berends: talks the storm

Project Update #4: The last day!

Posted by Bill Berends

Hi there!! Only one day left to go till this Kickstarter campaign comes to a close. I couldn't just leave you hanging with the last video, so here's a post storm wrap up. It's been a long, stressful month, but I am super pleased with the outcome! Thank you!!

I will be getting a survey email out to all participants next week to gather your vital information. Once again, many MANY THANKS (!) and a garland of martian fire flowers to everyone who kicked in to bring this album to life!! You guys ROCK!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/billberends/1920478859/

BB-MM Mailing list: http://billberends.com/list/signup.html

Dean Ween & friends: http://www.facebook.com/events/275813352521413/

Bill Berends Kickstarter video #3 (last day)

Bill Berends: Kickstarter video #2 (superstorm)

67
backers
$2,632
pledged of $2,000 goal
8
days to go

Bill Berends: Kickstarter video http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/billberends/1920478859/

Bill Berends Kickstarter video #2 (superstorm)

Bill Berends: Very happy fund raising update

Bill Berends gives an update on the progress of his kick starter capaign 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/billberends/1920478859/

AWESOME!!! INCREDIBLE!! WE DID IT!!! WOOHOO!!! On October 16th we hit the $2,000 mark, so in just 10 days we are solidly in the funded zone! YAY!! With your help this new CD *will* be a reality now!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!! Really.. this is just incredible! Wow.

Sorry it took me a few days to get an update on here, I had a busy week with my furnace crapping out just as it's getting cold (I fixed it), the muffler on my car broke off (I fixed that too), a Berends Bros Band rehearsal, then a gig on Saturday. Oh, plus I've been sick the past three weeks, up and down with some kind of cold thing which has been slowing me down, so it's been a crazy week. Anyway, I wanted to get on here as soon as I could and thank each and every one of you who has kicked in. All you guys and girls are awesome! Thank YOU!!!

haha.. now I can get some sleep!! You know, I had NO idea going into this how it would pan out, so this just knocks me out. I had been having a two week long anxiety attack, basically. Holding my breath. Now I can relax a little and spend a few days catching up on some real life stuff that's demanding my attention.

Kickstarter can't be changed once it's in play and will continue thru Nov. 5th, so I hope more people will continue to pledge and pre-order the CD so they can get the music as soon as possible. My goal, after all, is to move as many CD's as I can to spread the music wide and far and I ask everyone who may be interested to pre-order here if you can. Kickstarter campaigns that go over their goal get more attention and it is great PR for the album!!!

The first $2,000 covers basic CD mfg, but as I said in the longer video, the stretch goal is to try and go far as possible and all the money that comes in will be plowed right back into album promotions, updating production tools, and speeding along more music. There is so much more music I'd like to see get finished and released: New Mastermind, more solo stuff... even some electronic music I've been working on. If we can reach $3,000 or more I will upgrade reward packages above the $50 level somehow... not sure how yet, but I will toss in some perk.

Next week I'll post a little follow up video with some more music for you to hear and again, my most sincere gratitude to all of you for helping me bring this album to life!! Thank you for your faith in the music, in me... YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Bb

ps: I made a Facebook page so feel free to stop by there and say hello....

https://www.facebook.com/events/109776079180524/

Bill Berends: Kick start solo album "In My Dreams I Can Fly"

I just ordered my copy...


Hey! I've finished my first solo album of rock guitar instrumentals and I need your help to kickstart the CD into the world!
Launched: Oct 6, 2012
Funding ends: Nov 5, 2012
Remind Me
Bill Berends - In My Dreams I Can Fly

Hey thanks for looking in! My name is Bill Berends and many of you may know me from my band Mastermind, but I'm stepping out on my own here!

I'm really excited about this record! I've worked on it for quite some time now and in some ways I think it may be the best recording I've ever made, but I need YOUR help to get it released. Rather than deal with labels I am going to release it on my own StellarVox label and go directly to the people, but only YOU can make it happen! So I'm asking for a little help from my friends.

The big stuff is already covered... recording, artwork, etc., so the $2,000 I am asking for will cover disc pressing, printing, shipping, postage, and Kickstarter fees, hopefully leaving a little left over for some promotion. I am asking you to help get the CD pressed and in return, I have some cool music for you!

Bill Berends: Streams - sounds awesome

Bill Berends: Mahavishnu Orchestra

G.Calvin Weston's Treasures of the Spirit - music of the Mahavishnu Orchestra
G. Calvin Weston - drums
Bill Berends - guitar
Elliot Garland - bass
Marina Vishnyakova - violin
David Dzubinski - keyboards
Triumph Brewery Philadelphia, November 18, 2011
http://billberends.com/treasures

Treasures of the Spirit - Trilogy

Bill Berends: Treasures of the Spirit

Treasures of the Spirit - The Dance of Maya

Bill Berends: Big Bad Blues from the Berends Bros Band live

Berends Bros Band - Stepping Out - duet w/ interpretive dancer


Berends Bros Band - Hideaway



Berends Bros Band - Snowy Wood

Jeff Beck: Emotion And Commotion out plus USA tour dates!

Bill Berends messaged me on facebook to voice his approval:

Have you heard the new Jeff Beck record?! ... Incredible... The last track 'Elegy For Dunkirk' his guitar actually sounds like Dawn Upshawn singing!

Jeff Beck Releases New Album -
Emotion And Commotion



Jeff Beck
Emotion And Commotion
Label: Atco Records
(Rhino Entertainment)

Release Date: April 13th, 2010
(out now)

Official Site:jeffbeck.com
Album Site:
emotionandcommotion.com

Twitter: twitter.com/jeffbeckmusic

Facebook:facebook.com/jeffbeckFirst Album In Seven Years
Deluxe Version Includes Guitar Tabs
Emotion and Commotion - the new album from legendary guitarist Jeff Beck is now available everywhere. The new album is a collection of songs that suit Jeff's adventurous style, with some cushioned by a symphony orchestra and another featuring young soul singer Joss Stone. The exclusive iTunes deluxe LP includes the bonus track 'Poor Boy', guitar tabs, Jeff Beck track-by-track, 30 minute video interview with Alice Cooper and more!


Retail:
- Available at Amazon for $4.99 (rel. date only):
http://amzn.to/9kDmqQ

- iTunes deluxe LP:
http://bit.ly/bfxqKr

Emotion & Commotion Tour (First Leg of U.S. Tour):

April

16 San Francisco - Nob Hill Masonic Centre
17 Los Angeles - Nokia Theatre LA Live
18 Temecula - Pechanga Resort & Casino
19 San Diego - 4th & B
24 Houston - Verizon Wireless Theatre
25 Dallas - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
27 Tulsa - Brady Theatre
28 Kansas City - Starlight Theatre
29 St. Louis - Fox Theatre

May

1 New Orleans - Jazz Festival (Gentilly Stage)

Emotion & Commotion Tour (Second Leg)

June

3 Boston - Bank of America
4 Mashantucket - Foxwoods Casino
5 Atlantic City - Borgata
7 Vienna - VA Wolftrap
11 Atlanta - Chastain Park
14 Montclair - Wellmont Theatre
15 Asbury Park - Paramount Theatre
17 Kingston - UPAC Theatre
18 Rochester - Rochester Festival
20 Detroit - The Fillmore
21 Indianapolis - Murat Centre, Egyptian Room
23 Cincinnati - PNC Pavilion

More dates TBA

Bill Berends, Jens Johansson: mastermind interview

Over what time frame where the songs written and have they changed somewhat since their original conception?

All of the Insomnia material was written shortly after Tracy joined the band in 2001 with the exception of Night Flier which was recorded in a separate session with Jens [johansson] . Once I had a fair idea of what we were shooting for, the material didn't change that much throughout the recording process. The album was basically finished in 2004, it just took 6 years to get it released. Ideally this album should've been released in 2004 but it didn't work out that way. There was another behind-the-scenes element too... we had an A&R guy at a major label very interested in the band and we went back and forth with them and a big management company for almost a year, so that delayed things as well. I suppose that may have had some bearing on the shape of a few songs. I edited some things down to shorter times and cut back some of the solos at their suggestion, but ultimately that deal fell apart and we were still nowhere, but I liked the modern edge the changes brought about and kept them. Inside Out suggested calling it something other than Mastermind, which I considered, but they weren't into the female vocal thing anyway so I thought, this is the same people as Mastermind, calling it something different would be silly. It would be like The Beatles changing their name because Sgt. Pepper didn't sound like Love Me Do... so we soldiered on as Mastermind. In retrospect they may have been correct, who knows. I am better at making music than marketing which is why I prefer being involved with a decent label.

http://www.virtuosityone.com/mastermind_int.htm

Bill Berends: mastermind wins EKR poll!

Mastermind (American band) “Broken” has won The EKR Listeners Poll for the favourite EKR A-List track for the week commencing 08/03/2010″ — www.ekr.net (UK) Excellent!

Bill Berends, Charly Sahona: two lion music releases

CHARLY SAHONA - NAKED THOUGHTS FROM A SILENT CHAOS
Genre - Progressive Metal

Charly Sahona is best known as the guitarist in the modern French progressive metal band Venturia. Late 2008 saw Charly begin work on what has become his debut solo album entitled “Naked Thoughts From A Silent Chaos”. This 8 track release is built around heavy riffs, catchy vocal lines and crazy solos. Comparisons can be made if one was to fuse Dream Theater with Muse and 30 Seconds To Mars. This album offers a fresh sound, modern and direct, heavy and begs to be heard.

[click here for full information]



MASTERMIND - INSOMNIA
Genre - Progressive Rock

Progressive rock band MASTERMIND is back with their first full length album of original music in almost a decade. “Insomnia” is the band’s seventh album and marks the album debut of vocalist Tracy McShane. Since their formation in New Jersey by brothers Bill and Rich Berends in 1986 the band have become synonymous with delivering original sounding progressive rock with diverse arrangements and room for a healthy dose of experimentation and combines with the keyboard interplay of Jens Johansson for a musically interesting package.

[click here for full information]

Bill Berends, Jens Johansson: mastermind release date

Released Feb 19th 2010
LMC279 EAN6419922002797



Progressive rock band MASTERMIND is back with their first full length album of original music in almost a decade.

Since their formation in New Jersey by brothers Bill and Rich Berends in 1986 the band have become synonymous with delivering original sounding progressive rock with diverse arrangements and room for a healthy dose of experimentation. Once again the instrumentation is strong, Bill Berends guitar transcends numerous genres and combines with the keyboard interplay of Jens Johansson for a musically interesting package.

“Insomnia” is the band’s seventh album and marks the album debut of vocalist Tracy McShane. The tracks have been built around McShane’s powerful vocals and focus more on songs as opposed to over the top instrumental play of previous releases. As a result “Insomnia” is arguably the most accessible Mastermind album to date - yet a progression over the bands career can be heard continuing on “Insomnia” along with the elements considered to be Mastermind trademarks.

Bill Berends comments, “I don't want to keep writing the same symphony over & over again, so this seventh effort features a different approach and a different diva than the previous work. Basically we want to try new things stylistically and make a good album that would reach beyond the boundaries of progressive rock in the traditional sense. We started to move in that direction with "Angels", so "Insomnia" is something of an extension of that thinking. People tend to judge you on your last work, but what they don't seem to realize is trying something new doesn't negate our entire history, it just adds to it. We released two tracks from "Insomnia" on our own as the "Broken" EP single in 2005 and they were extremely well received, but it took some time to find a label that could see the potential since we don't sound like everyone else. We had several offers, but nothing I thought would really be to our benefit until we connected with Lion Music.”< br>
Lyrically the album focuses on observations and reflections from everyday life experiences that might drive one to sleeplessness. Bill Berends continues, “I lost a lot of sleep during the time spent making this album. The title came about after the recording was well under way, it just seemed appropriate. However, in another sense it is definitely a complete work that is best appreciated by listening to the entire album straight through. Certainly you can pick out individual songs to feature, and they do stand on their own, but I don't think you will "get it" until you hear the whole album in its entirety. In that respect it is a very big work, and perhaps that might be the 'progressive' element to it”.

Mastermind are a band happy to follow their own sound and have built a worldwide fan base which appreciates this outlook.

TRACKLISTING
01. Desire (5:33)
02. Break Me Down (3:29)
03. One More Night (5:23)
04. Meltdown (4:13)
05. Piggy World (4:42)
06. No Answer (4:08)
07. Broken (4:22)
08. Night Flier (3:49)
09. Nietzsche (5:23)
10. Last Cigarette (9:16).

MUSICIANS
Bill Berends: Guitars, Synth, Bass, Vocals.
Rich Berends: Drums
Tracy McShane: Lead vocal.
Jens Johansson: Keyboard & Piano.

GUEST MUSICIANS
Chris Eike (ex-Handfarm): Bass
Greg Hagen: Bass

CREDITS
Produced by Bill Berends and Rich Berends.
All music & lyrics written by Bill Berends.
No Answer lyrics by Tracy McShane & Bill Berends.
Art direction & design by Bill Berends.
Digital images by Arthur Dorety, Avalon's Reach.
Photos by David Olah & Anthony Thompson.
Recorded, mixed & mastered at Lakeside Recording, NJ.

OFFICIAL WEBSITES
http://www.mastermindband.com
http://www.myspace.com/mastermindband

Bill Berends, Jens Johansson: mastermind rides again -new cd

I can highly recommend the last CD with Bill Berends and Jens Johansson, so I'm really looking forward to this release.

LION MUSIC SIGN MASTERMIND

Lion Music have just signed progressive rock outfit MASTERMIND. The band will be releasing their first album for the label entitled “Insomnia” on February 19th 2010. The new album marks the bands first full length studio album in 9 years.

“Insomnia” is the first album to feature new vocalist Tracy McShane who joins founding members Bill Berends (guitars, synths, bass) and Rich Berends (drums). Jens Johansson (Stratovarius) once again contributes keyboard solos.

Full release information to follow shortly.

Check out Mastermind at the following links:

http://mastermindband.com
http://myspace.com/mastermindband

Bill Berends: mastermind group

http://mastermindband.com

Personal information:

An American progressive rock / metal / fusion band formed by brothers Bill Berends & Rich Berends active from 1987-2007, currently gearing up for a renewed assault. New studio album coming in early 2010.

1. download music: http://mastermind.bandcamp.com
2. download music: http://mindawn.com/artists/mastermind
3. download music: http://nimbitmusic.com/mastermind

http://myspace.com/mastermindband
http://mastermindband.com/band_bio.html

Bill Berends: Firebird Strings On Fire

This one might have missed the cut... but awesome all the same!

Another take on the Firebird... but a day too late for the contest. Oh well... I played it in time, I just didn't edit the video last night, too tired. Here is my first video with the 335 which I finished in time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf8Q32...

I was pretty annoyed at this point because I did what I thought was a great take and Windows Movie Maker jammed up resulting in a 30 second loop... aaarrrggh!! So here is take two and three... I did an edit for visual purposes, mainly because I wanted to see the Firebird headstock. These guitars rock!

Anyway, this was fun. All the settings are the same as the 335 video so you can hear the difference between the guitars. I though what would be more appropriate than Strings on Fire on a Firebird. :) Thanks for looking!

ps: I had to put on darker shades because the halogen lamp was killing me.

What it's about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srKWOD...

http://billberends.com
http://mastermindband.com
http://truthinshredding.blogspot.com

*****
http://billberends.com

Bill Berends - Firebird Strings On Fire - Truth In Shredding