The Rocker Blog

The Rocker Blog is an ever growing beast. So, come back frequently and voice your thoughts. Subscribe to RSS feed!

DRIVIN & CRYIN @ THE READY ROOM! w MODEL CITIZEN Feb 19th!!!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

Model Citizen "another Aj project" lol! will play with Drvin and Cryin on  Feb 19th at The Ready Room! 22 Palafox st, Pensacola! Get tixs now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AJ, CHRIS, JOE and Mike (Model Citizen) go on shortly after doors open. Doors 8pm! Check back soon for details on THE "FESIVAL OF MUSICANS in Foley Alabama March 11,12,13 and 14th.  Aj and company will play at dusk on the 13th (pending city council permits) stay tuned! Find info on myspace for "FESIVAL OF MUSICIANS" R. Shell is the man behind the massive event bringing potes, rockers, thrashers, country cats, jazz you name it to one huge concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY TRIALS TO YOU ALL.... AMERICAN SOLDIER IS "HOME AGAIN" FOR GOOD

Friday, November 13, 2009 | 4 Comment(s) | Permalink

Wow......... It is now the end, the soldier will be put to rest and I will shine on in another light. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I got to live a dream come true but now it's time to return to the other side of the fence. Just like all of you I will be cheering for those on the big stage and enjoying that as much as being on it myself. Fear not! I will be back!!!!! I will surface but not until the time is right. Now it's time to reflect on what I've learned about myself, other people and the biz in general. I feel like Cinderella, it's midnight but my carriage has not turned back into a pumpkin just yet......... We'll see what lies ahead..... stick with me folks, I'll make you proud yet, just spread the word baby! Queensryche is an amazing band with amazing fans and I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of their history. Thank you to all in the organization for all lessons learned and the friendship as well....... class all the way, outstanding people. Geoff, Whip, Ed, Scott, Parker, Tony. M, Susan, Miranda, Em, Gino, Alan, Kelly, Chris, Mike, Lee, Ritchie, Sean, Fozzy X, Jason, Garret, Justin, Lita, Jim, Rocco, James, Boomer, Jon, Bill, Sam, Randy, Kevin, Jeff Albright, Gary Buck, Neil S., Alan B., Brother Vince S. and all of you beautiful people out there!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​!​ I hope I made you happy, I hope I made you proud. Stay gold and God bless you all. It's now time to for me to "walk in the shadows.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​.​ walk with me?"

Take hold and Stay gold,

AJ FRATTO
AMERICAN SOLDIER OF QUEENSRYCHE

METAL EXILES: "AJ HAS THAT KIND OF UPBEAT POSITIVE ENERGY, HE'S A BULL OF A MAN". GEOFF TATE

Thursday, November 05, 2009 | 1 Comment(s) | Permalink

Geoff Tate - Queensryche                             Geoff Tate - Queensryche    by Rob ”Bubbs” Harris                  Queensryche have been creating music and taking it on the road to share with their fans for almost thirty years now. With the latest release, “American Soldier”, we find the progressive rockers bringing a whole new dynamic to the live show, with dramatic and epic performances dedicated to the brave members of our armed forces. I had the pleasure of catching them live in my hometown, and I will share some of the photos from that show with you here. Also, I was fortunate enough to get a call from Geoff Tate two days later to talk about the state of things in the QR camp. The following is what transpired.                     Metal Exiles: Let’s talk about “American Soldier” for a minute. What kind of experience was it for you to be on the other side of the interview process, asking the questions instead of answering them?       Geoff: The whole experience was really rather powerful on a lot of different levels. In my career, I’ve done thousands of interviews, but this was the first time I was ever on the other end. I had to learn how to ask questions without just getting the inevitable yes, no, or maybe answers, you know? I had to learn how to dig without being too obtrusive and make them feel enthused enough to share their experiences in an emotional way. Most people I talked to were pretty comfortable talking about what they do and stuff like that, but it was different when talking about emotional details and how they felt about things. After talking to hundreds of soldiers, I heard a lot of interesting stories. When we took those tapes and used them in the studio, it was hard not to become inspired by them.                     Metal Exiles: You have somewhat of a mascot for the “American Soldier” tour in AJ Fratto. I’m curious to know how you came across him and ultimately chose him to represent the armed forces on this tour.       Geoff: I met AJ kind of in a roundabout way. I’ve known Lynne Anderson (I hope I got that name right. -Bubbs), a former pilot with the Blue Angels, for several years, and he called me up to invite me to a show that the Blues were doing in Seattle. The wife and I went to the show and took our kids. My daughter, Bella, was very interested in becoming a pilot at that time, so Lynne took her under his wing, so to speak. That was also the same day we met AJ, who was the crew chief for the Blue Angels, and we got along really well with him. So when the Blues would come to town, we would go out and see them and talk to Lynne and AJ, whom we had become friends with. When the idea for “American Soldier” was germinating, I was talking to AJ about it, and he said “You know I sing in a band, right?”. So I told him to give me a cd, and upon listening to it, I said to myself “Wow, I have to use him on something.” He is a very charismatic person, with a certain style of singing that could come into play at some point. When I was writing the song “Sliver”, I thought of AJ right off the bat. I called him up and asked him if he wanted to do this spot on the record, and he was really excited. We flew him up to Seattle and he just knocked it out of the park. So that led to asking him to do a few shows with us, which eventually led to him doing the entire tour.       Metal Exiles: That’s really cool that you picked him, especially since he’s from my hometown of Pensacola and is kind of a local hero. You said he was only supposed to do a handful of dates, but ended up doing the entire tour. What do you think AJ brings to the show?       Geoff: Well, the part that he plays on the album is kind of like a drill Sergeant. You know, when soldiers first arrive at boot camp, they meet this pumped up guy who’s job it is to get them up and in shape. AJ just has that kind of upbeat positive energy, and he’s a bull of a man. He’s the kind of guy that if you were in a plane or boat crash out in the middle of the ocean, you would hope that a helicopter would drop someone like him down to get you. I just really like his personality as well. He’s a lot of fun to hang out with and be around. As far as the element he brings to the show, you saw it. I think he does a pretty good job of getting the crowd on their feet and pumped up.       Metal Exiles: You performed the song “Home Again” with your youngest daughter, Emily. I saw the video for that song and you look so happy and proud. Tell me what it was like to duet with your little girl.       Geoff: It was wonderful on a number of different levels. First and foremost, being a musician, I’m traveling pretty much most of the year, so I don’t get to see her as often as I would like to. It seems like when I come off the road, or she comes out with us for a date or two, she’s all grown up. When she comes out on the road with us it’s cool because we get to hang out and see each other a bit more. Secondly, just watching her become comfortable singing in front of lots of people is wonderful. The first couple of shows she did, she was petrified and held my hand the entire time. After a few more times though, she was like “I got this.” As a father, I couldn’t be more proud.       Metal Exiles:  Speaking of being a father, you have an older daughter that is now married to Queensryche’s new guitarist. How’s that working out for you? Do things ever get weird? Do you have to keep a wooden spoon handy, like an old Italian woman, to smack him in the back of the head with every now and again?       Geoff: No, Parker’s a good kid. I actually knew him before he started dating Miranda. He played in my solo band and became the musical director for that and did a fantastic job. When he started dating my daughter, I was cool with it. Who am I to stand in the way of love? I’m very happy for them. They are great for each other. He’s a hell of a guitarist too. When we were looking for a guitarist, I asked him to learn a few songs and jam with us. Turns out he learned our entire catalogue and showed up to rehearsal ready to go. When we started jamming, he fit perfectly. It’s not easy working a new guy into a band that has been around as long as we have, but Parker had it all down in about a week.                       Metal Exiles: Apart from the musical aspect, has Parker been openly embraced by the rest of the band?       Geoff: Yeah, we’re a pretty tight knit group of guys and Parker fits right in. Now that he’s in the family, it only helps to make that bond stronger.       Metal Exiles: I spoke with Parker briefly after the show, and he said that he is stoked to be a part of the band, but he is eager to play some different tunes. When do you plan on doing some different material, apart from the three suites of music that you are currently playing on tour?       Geoff: I don’t know. This tour ends in December, and we will start work on the new Queensryche record after that, so we will probably do something completely different for the next tour.       Metal Exiles: Back to the current tour. You advertise very clearly that you guys are performing the three suites from “Rage For Order”, “American Soldier”, and “Empire”, yet you still have those people out in the crowd hollering “Mindcrime” between songs. Does that bother you at all?    Geoff: Not at all. We are very proud of everything we have created. “Operation Mindcrime” is part of our legacy. As an artist, if you create something that has truly had a profound impact on somebody, that is something to be very proud of and humbled by.                       Metal Exiles: You guys have Lita Ford out on tour with you, sans her band, and QR is providing the music. What led to that decision, and how much fun is it to have Lita out on the road with you guys?       Geoff: Well, if you were to look at everyone in the band’s record collections, you would see just about everything imaginable in there. We are huge music fans and we absolutely love playing with other musicians. We kind of have this policy that we go by where we invite other musicians on stage with us. If we are in the same town as an artist that we really enjoy, we will ask them to come up and jam with us. We played with Edwin McCain the other night, which might seem odd to some, but it was a lot of fun. We’ve had Lars and James from Metallica and Jerry Cantrell come up and play with us, as well as many more. So it’s fun to do stuff like that. I spoke to Lita a while back and she mentioned that she was working on putting together a tour to promote her new record, and I asked her to come out with us. We told her to not even worry about bringing a band, we would just lay down the music, and it’s worked out pretty well. Doing “If I Close My Eyes Forever” is a great experience. I have always loved that song, so being able to sing it with Lita is a tremendous opportunity.       Metal Exiles:  What on Earth is the Queensryche Cabaret?       Geoff: It’s a free show thing we’re doing in Seattle in February, kind of like a Mardi Gras celebration. We wanted to make this date at home more of a show, rather than just a musical performance. We went through our catalogue and selected a list of songs that would go well with some other visual aspects and kind of married them together. I’m not exactly sure how to describe it yet. It is like nothing we have ever done before, and there will be a lot of other very talented performers working with us on this presentation, so we’re very excited to start putting it together.       Metal Exiles: You also have a cruise coming up with a lot of other bands. Tell us a bit about that.       Geoff: Shiprock, in November. It’s a big floating party with lots of great bands. I’m looking forward to it.       Metal Exiles: Well, thanks for your time.       Geoff: Thank you very much for the interview. I hope we have the chance to talk again.       www.queensryche.com                                                                                                                       © 2008 Metal Exiles & JBohatch-Easton Designs Home Features Interviews Contact Store Photos Features Reviews Announcements New Releases

AJ Fratto News! 9 more Queensryche shows for The Big Fella!

Monday, November 02, 2009 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

Hi to all! After almost 80 amazing shows with Queensryche, AJ Fratto has  9 gigs  left.  Check Queensryche.com for remaining show dates. On Halloween night, AJ started sporting a new get up on stage. .he's caped with jungle camo and a black commando vest covered in Tri-ryches! "We thought it was time for a change so I switched out uniforms." The Desert camo will be up for auction at a later date for charity.  To all fans!!!!!!!! If you have any photos, footage, anything AJ Fratto related; we will post it on this site as long as it's in good taste. You can submit it directly to the ROCKERAJ.NET site and it will be put up in the order it's recieved. Send all you have, AJ  is all about the people!!!!!!!!!!!!  Mr and Mrs. Fratto will enjoy the fun, sun and rock-n-roll concerts at ship Rocked, so it will be great to see you all there! AJ Fratto will be working on his first ever solo record with studio musicians and some close friends, keep your eyes opened!!! AJ Fratto's band Below The Switch CD "NEVER WALK ALONE" is on sale at The Queensryche concerts for $5.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $10.00 on line. There will be a few demos from now defunked United Front floating around at some point. Look for Chis Haller, Chris Weaver, Chis Osbourne, and Brad Mayer to kick some ass in thier own new way. Much love and respect to the boys......... AJ and the boys will get together from time to time to create, "we are all brothers" says Aj!  Look for former Baqslash / AJ Fratto drummer Nick Gray who just got signed by a pro indie label as a singer song writer, way to go Nick! "If you like Days of the New or Creed you'll like Nick says Aj" Look for Nick Gray music on myspace. 


Happy trials to all you Rychers!!! That's for all your love and support. I am honored to be a part of your history now. You guys and gals are the most die hard fans ever!  To all of Queensryche (band,crew,management,label) thanks for making my dreams come true, I hope I served you well, I did my best. I got your back for the rest of my life, you can count on that!!!! 

Now I will walk my puppies Luke and Lila, take my children to school and have a date night or two with my wife.............see you all again when I rise up............. 
I'LL COME FOR YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S SHOW TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PENSACOLA DAY FOR AJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

A.J. Fratto returns to Pensacola and commands you to get 'on your feet!' Larger-than-life Rocker A.J. returns to the stage at The Saenger Theatre Rebecca Ross • rross@pnj.com • October 17, 2009   A.J. Fratto is back where he belongs.   The 35-year-old former Blue Angels crew chief has returned to Pensacola, a city he loves, and to the stage, his boyhood dream. Better known as Rocker A.J., frontman for local metal bands Below the Stitch and Imperial Shreds, Fratto retired from the Navy in July to pursue a full-time career in music. "I was up in Pittsburgh, doing really well as a Navy recruiter, when this amazing opportunity came along," he explained in his trademark, rapid-fire chatter. "I couldn't pass it up." In 2007, Fratto was on his way back to Pittsburgh after receiving a top recruiter award in Florida when opportunity came calling. Susan Tate, manager of Seattle-based rockers Queensryche, called the part-time musician to see if he was interested in taking part in the band's new album. Lead singer Geoff Tate was working on a military-based concept, and had Fratto, whom he had met at a Blue Angels air show, in mind for a certain role. "Geoff wanted to do something for the troops, something from their perspective," Fratto said. "Susan said, 'You've got a huge heart and a lot of talent. We want to give you the chance to be the American soldier for Queensryche.' " The married father of three said his response was, "this Scooby-Doo 'ruuh?' I couldn't believe it. Nobody else believed me, either." Fratto was invited to Seattle to help record Queensryche's "American Soldier" album, which was released in March. "The first thing you hear on the album is my big, raspy, growling mouth," he said, laughing. "They wanted me to be like the company commander or drill sergeant, so the first thing you hear is 'ON YOUR FEET!' " On tour, it's the first thing audiences hear, as well. The burly Fratto, in character as the "American Soldier," gets the crowd pumped with his "shock-and-awe" role. "I step out like Godzilla," he said. "I'm the thunder and lightning, baby!" In a recent interview, Geoff Tate said he enjoyed working with the passionate Fratto. "A.J., if you've ever met him or know him, he's got a great, warm, giving personality. Just working with him in the short time in the studio was enough to tell me that this was a guy that I wouldn't mind having on the tour bus for months at a time," Tate said. "He just brought an energy to the song that I think it really needed, and it helps tell the story of what the song's about in a very in-your-face kind of way." And Fratto, it seems, has energy to spare. Inspired by his "American Soldier" experience, the Geneva, N.Y., native is focused on taking his music career to the next level. "It hurt me to leave the Navy after 15 years. I love being a patriot," Fratto said. "But I've wanted to be a musician since I watched my dad, who was a wedding singer, rehearse 'Shout' when I was a kid." When not on the road with Queensryche, Fratto is in the studio working on a solo project, and performing "melodic motivational metal" with Below the Stitch. The band just released an album, "Never Walk Alone." "There's nothing worse in life than wasted talent," Fratto said. "I don't know what's going to happen with my career, but I'm just excited to be here."                         A.J. Fratto, former Blue Angels crew chief, will perform with Queensryche at the Saenger Theatre. (Photos special to the News Journal) A.J. Fratto performs with a member of Queensryche in New Orleans. (Special to the News Journal) Want to go? - WHAT: Queensryche in concert, featuring A.J. Fratto. - WHEN: 8 p.m. today. - WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place. - COST: Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50 (additional fees may apply), available at the Saenger box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800)-745-3000. - DETAILS: ww.queensryche.com, belowthestitch.com and rockeraj.net. Related Topics Places - Pensacola, FL Contextual linking provided by Topix   #AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .topix_powered {display:block; position:absolute; bottom:5px; right:10px; font-size:10px;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .topix_powered img {border:none; vertical-align:middle;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .topix_powered a {text-decoration: none; color: #164C97; }#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .topix_powered a:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #FF9900; }#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container {border:1px solid #ccc; padding:10px; font-size:12px; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif; position:relative; text-align: left;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container .topix_ph_storyheader {font-weight:bold; font-size:12px; padding-bottom:2px; color:#666; margin-bottom:4px; border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container .topix_ph_topicheader {font-weight:bold; font-size:12px; padding-bottom:2px; color:#666; margin-bottom:4px; border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible ul {list-style-type:square; color:#666; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; margin-left:14px; margin-bottom:10px;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li {padding-bottom:4px;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li .topix_ph_source {font-size:11px; color:#666;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li .topix_ph_art,#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .topix_ph_osubclass {font-size:11px;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_art {color: #164C97; text-decoration: none;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_osubclass {color: #164C97; text-decoration: none;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_art:hover {color: #FF9900; text-decoration: none;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_osubclass:hover {color: #FF9900; text-decoration: none;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li .topix_ph_oclass {font-size:11px; font-weight: bold;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_oclass {color: #164C97; text-decoration:none;}#AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 #topix_ph_flexible #topix_ph_container ul li a.topix_ph_oclass:hover {color: #FF9900; text-decoration:none;}   More Life headlines A.J. Fratto returns to Pensacola and commands you to get 'on your feet!'  (11) Pensacola.MomsLikeMe.com: Child faces mom's fear of frogs   My Pet Photo: Meet Bruiser, who's a lover, not a fighter   Faith at work   Festival honors Tennessee Williams     #AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce #AOLMsgPart_2_c71e778e-61ac-406f-ac2a-54a44d60f806 .p360_listing { cursor: pointer;}     #AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce .AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } #AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} #AOLMsgPart_2_e7c639b2-413a-48e3-8e3f-ab0c24bb2bce .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}   .AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}  

Pensacola!

Thursday, October 08, 2009 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

MUSIC | Vol. 11, No. 37, October 8, 2009
(Tan, Rested & Ready to Run)

E-mail this to a friend

Tour of Duty

by Rob

Queensryche's American Soldier Comes Home

Queensryche has been one of the standout names in hard rock and heavy metal for over two decades. Their latest full length album, entitled "American Soldier," is a hard-hitting tribute to the heroic men and women of the U.S. military who put their lives on the line every day to protect the freedom that Americans sometimes take for granted. With personal accounts from actual soldiers and their family members who have witnessed the grief and pain of war first hand intertwined with the music, "American Soldier" is one of those albums that really hits home, especially as a Pensacola native. As Queensryche makes their way to our little city on their current U.S. tour, I caught up with the local man who was granted the most tremendous opportunity to represent our armed forces as the "American Soldier."

A.J. Fratto is a fourteen-year veteran of the armed forces and ex-Blue Angel who recently completed his service to our country this past July. The father of three and devoted husband from New York who now calls Pensacola home is now on another tour of duty, but this time the battle isn't on the ground or in the air--it's on the stage. Fratto, after a chance meeting in Seattle, was asked to accept the honor of touring with Queensryche and being the face of the "American Soldier" campaign. As a longtime fan of heavy metal and one who would never pass on an opportunity to serve his country any way he can, he jumped at the chance and never looked back. Now, after more than fifty dates with the band, he is finally coming home, not to relax, but to rock this town to its core before heading back out for another thirty dates.

Fratto will be joining Queensryche on stage when they storm the Saenger Theatre later this month with Lita Ford. But performing in front of the hometown crowd is nothing new to this gentle giant, who has the hulking frame of a professional wrestler with the charismatic personality to boot. As the lead singer of Below the Stitch, a local rock outfit that will be celebrating their own album release at The Break on Oct. 10 while Queensryche takes a break from the road for two weeks, getting up there and capturing the hearts of the fans is almost second nature for Fratto. "I'm a rocker," he says. "It's what I love to do. To be able to be a part of this tour and the Queensryche family is a great honor and a heck of a lot of fun." After lobbying very diligently to have Pensacola added to the list of cities on the tour, Fratto is determined to make this show one that the audience won't soon to forget. "I can't wait to get up there next to Geoff Tate and perform for the hometown crowd. This means the world to me, and I'm going to give it everything I got. You're not going to want to miss it."

As a former rescue swimmer, Fratto knows that a few short minutes can be crucial, and he sees his time with Queensryche in the same light. "When I was jumping in that water to pull somebody out and up to safety, I couldn't hesitate or falter for one second. With this tour, I only have seven minutes to win the hearts of the crowd and make them remember those few minutes for the rest of their lives. If I don't get up there and put everything I have into it, I am not just failing myself, but I am also failing the fans, the band and my country. I just can't do that."

You might be wondering how, out of the tens of thousands of soldiers in the U.S. armed forces, Fratto was picked to become the poster boy for the album and tour. "We were doing a show up in Seattle," recounts Fratto of his time spent as head crew chief of our beloved Blue Angels. "I was asked to give a presentation to a group of folks, who just so happened to be the Tates. One of my daughters was around the same age as their little girl at the time and we hit it off and became friends. Not too long after that, Susan Tate called me up and asked if I would be willing to lend a hand to the new record and tour with Queensryche." The chance was one that Fratto could not turn down, not in a million years. Not only does he get to stalk the stage and pump up fans in every city lucky enough to host this live spectacle, but his voice is actually the first thing you hear when you pop "American Soldier" in your CD player. "When you hear that big loud voice say 'On your feet' at the beginning of the first track, that's me," Fratto boasts. "How cool is that?"

Fratto, who is no stranger to the effects that war has on those who fight, as well as those that wait with baited breath for them to come home, having served in several conflicts in the Middle East, knows that Queensryche's salute to our brothers in arms is not just another rock record, but a truly heartfelt and captivating testament to the triumph of the American spirit. "This album is not a political record in any way. Nor is it a way to cash in on exploiting the war. It was written by Geoff Tate as a gift and a way to say thank you to our troops. Queensryche has an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for what these men and women do for us so that we can live our lives how we want to. It's personal, it's emotional, and it's real."

While Fratto enjoys some much needed relaxation time with his family in Pensacola before getting ready to head back out on the road for the remainder of the tour, he reflects on the good fortune that has befallen him. "I have been given a wonderful gift. Even though this tour will end and I will return home, I will always be a part of the Queensryche legacy, and nobody can take that away from me. I am the 'American Soldier.'"

info@inweekly.net

QUEENSRYCHE
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct.17
WHERE: Pensacola Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place
COST: $27.50
DETAILS: queensryche.com





Winter 125 X 125 Overstock.com, Inc.











Apple iTunes




QUEENSRYCHE / LITA FORD - PENSACOLA, FL OCT 17TH

Thursday, September 17, 2009 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

 

BELOW THE STITCH TO PLAY THE BREAK ON OCT 10TH!!!! THE NEW ALBUM" NEVER WALK ALONE" WILL BE FOR SALE AS WELL!!!!! 7 DAYS LATER YOU CAN SEE BELOW THE STITCH LEAD SINGER AJ FRATTO WITH QUEENSRYCHE AND LITA FORD AT THE SANGIER THEATER IN PENSACOLA!!!!!!!!!! PASS THIS ON PEEPS!!!!!!!!




PEOPLE GET YOUR TIXS FOR QUEENSRYCHE AND LITA FORD OCT 17TH AT THE SANGIER THEATER IN PENSACOLA FL!!!! SEND THIS TO ALL YOUR PEEPS. AJ FRATTO WILL CONTINUE HIS ROLE AS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER AND LEAD SCREAMER AS MR. TATE CALLS IT ON "SLIVER"!!!! WHAT'S UP! WHAT'S UP!!!!!!!!! SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR QUEENSRYCHE AND YOUR TRANSPLANT HOME TOWN ROCKER, X RESCUE SWIMMER, X BLUE ANGEL, AJ FRATTO!!!!!!! PENSACOLA!!!!!! LET'S BRING IT!!!!!!!!!!

AJ FRATTO'S "UNITED FRONT!!!!!!!!!  WORKING ON THREE DEMOS: 'ELMWOOD AVE" -  "SUPER-SILLY-IOUS" -  "LAW OF ATTRACTION" DETAILS TO FOLLOW SOON!!!!!!!!!!!

22ND CENTURY ROCK NORTH AMERICA'S #1 INDEPENDENT ROCK MAGAZINE!

Thursday, September 10, 2009 | 1 Comment(s) | Permalink

Fall 2009

 

22NDCRM.COM

 

ORDER ASAP! AT YOUR DOOR ASAP!!!! AJ FRATTO, RONNIE JAMES DIO, LEMMY and many more!!!!

 

AJ FRATTO's band BELOW THE STITCH to play OCT 10th at THE BREAK on Pensacola Beach for their album release party for "NEVER WALK ALONE!"

 

New dates posted soon for AMERICAN SOLDIER AJ FRATTO'S  final battle  with  his band of brothers: Progressive Metal God's QUEENSRYCHE

AJ has enjoyed a very sucsessful run with the iconic QUEENSRYCHE and is thankful for the chance of a life time opp. Stuff of dreams!!!!!!!

R & R @ ROCK-N-ROLL!

Saturday, August 08, 2009 | 2 Comment(s) | Permalink

Hi to all! Just got off another killer leg of the Queensryche American Soldier tour. It was a great time.  Boston was wild, the band took me to the state house with them and I got to learn some cool history. We played the House of Blues right next to the baseball park and it was cool, You could see the the Red Socks play from a top the H.O.B. Lockport  ROCKED!!!!!!!!!! THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time and every place I get a chance to jam rocks. I love this life! After a gig in DC with Zappa ans Dream Theature, I'm back in Pensacola FL with the fam soaking up the sun at the beach, the Sam's fun city water park, and jamming, jamming, jamming! Below the Stitch is slowly but surely getting into all the local stores as well as creeping up and selling well on I tunes and other on line stores. It's cool to see checks come in the mail for something you love to do and create as well. I hope to get out with Below the Stitch as soon asap and do a gig. My solo band is going to crank out an album by X-mas. It will rock you! United Front is the cats I play with in that part of my music life. I got out of the Navy on the 4th of July and I will deside what to do with my life by Jan 1st.......... School??? job???? We'll see what happens after my time with Queensryche is up and what happens with my music projects. For now to make more cash and fun I'm joining up with some pals to do "DROP DEAD LEGS" a tribute to classic Van Halen + 80 rock! It will be a blast. I have about 30 more shows with Queensryche, what a dream come true.......... I don't know if life get's better than this but I'll never rest to find out! Take hold of the Flame M F'ers!!!!!!

QUEENSRYCHE bringing the Beast from the East back! Also Below The Stitch!!!

Friday, June 26, 2009 | 0 Comment(s) | Permalink

Rocker AJ Fratto will go back on the road with Queensryche for another kick ass tour!!!! Dates will be poster soon. Aj even has his own pick to throw out to the fans! Three a night will be flicked out to the peeps!!!! The first run for Aj was a learning curve, now he's got the ball and running with it!!! Below The Stitch album NEVER WALK ALONE is doing very well word of mouth, mom and pop stores, The Queensryche tour, and now: AREA RECORDS on Seneca st. in GENEVA NY!!! AJ'S Hometown!!!!!!----


BELOW THE STITCH ALBUM: NEVER WALK ALONE!----Digital Download MP3's Available NOW! - June 25, 2009----You can now download individual songs or the entire album in MP3's at these online stores. ----www.amazon.com----www.napster.com----www.apple.com/itunes----www.rhapsody.com----

www.cdbaby.com----MORE will become available soon.----ROCK ON PEEPS!!!