“We have a lot inside of ourselves,” says Killer Bee co-founder and bassist Anders “LA” Ronnblom as he discussed the return of the band and their two upcoming shows here in California. “Me and Brian (Co-founder Brian “Bee” Frank) are the only original members left. We are getting older but we’re not ready to dump the apartment key in the mailbox (laughs).”
The Killer Bee was formed in 1990 with rock/metal roots firmly footed in both Sweden and Canada. This international flair has served them well as the world as a whole has gravitated toward their collective hives. “When the band first formed we toured a lot in Europe. We did 14 shows in 14 days back in 1998 on one European tour; we were planning on doing more but they never materialized. We’ve done festivals and largely European shows and we are very pleased with the crowd reactions, especially today. We could be doing other stuff and so could our fans but it’s just a great experience that people still want to hear us (laughs).”
Hear them they did, apparently more than Anders and his band mates had realized and that was never more evident than when the band re-released one album and then released new material in 2012 and 2013 to critical acclaim. “We had a series of three albums and one particular tour in Europe in 2011 got a great response so we decided to re-release a compilation album and then we released an album in 2012 (“From Hell and Back”) and an album in 2013 (“Evolutionary Children”) that were well received. With us being so spread out it’s not always easy to do what we want. We’re in Sweden, Canada and Florida but we managed to do another album in 2015 and we asked our management to set us up with some club dates and we opened for Dokken in Portland.”
Once again inspired to make and perform music, they released more new music; 2015’s “Rock AnotherDay” and two in 2016, “Killing You Softly” and “Eye In The Sky.” Buoyed by the success of these efforts, the band has decided to launch a U.S. tour, which unfortunately has been put on hold due to some work visa issues and yet another new disc in the not too distant future. “New music? Absolutely,” stated Anders with much enthusiasm. “We are looking at putting out a new album in 2017 or perhaps early the next year. We will write songs to keep the momentum going, maybe post them online, we’re not sure exactly just yet. We need to keep the news media interested in what we are doing (laughs).”
Despite the visa issues, members of the band will be presenters at the “Pollstar Awards” on February 2 at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles and the group has also released a new video for their song, “Shout ItOut.” “The Pollstar Awards,” are named after the trade magazine which is published primarily for the concert tour industry. “The 28th Annual Pollstar Awards,” will be hosted by television personality JustinWillman(“Cupcake Wars”, “King of Cones,” “Win, Lose or Draw”) and features categories such as, “Major Tour of The Year,” “Most Creative Stage Production,” “Major Music Festival of The Year,” “Best New Touring Artist” and more.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton Sat. 7 p.m. Kold Blooded, Scripted Chaos, Wasting Time, (TBA). All ages, $10 Sun. 4 p.m. Hate Diplomacy, Through The Discipline, Iron Price, Ground, garland Green, Wraith. All ages, $10 Wed. 6 p.m. Starkill, Spellcaster, Malphas, Eye Of anubis, Dark After Dawn. All ages, $12/$14Bailey's Bar & Grille 6922 Bristol Emilie Road Levittown, PA (215) 946-7992 Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The RedBlend Bar & Bistro 911 Highway 33 Hamilton (609) 245-8887 Tues. 8 p.m. TriviajamBowman's Tavern 1600 River Road New Hope, PA (215) 862-2972 Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Michelle Wiley Duo Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Dales Trio Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters TrioCandlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton (609) 695-9612 Sat. 3 p.m. Lynn Riley Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet) Centro Grille 2360 Route 33 Robbinsville (609) 208-9300 Sat. 10 p.m. "Saturday 80's & 90's Dance Party" w/ DJ John Rossi and more.Chickie's & Pete's 183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown (609) 298-9182 Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor (609) 426-9400 Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich GenovalCOARadio.com Main Street Hightstown (609) 241-7103 Check web site for upcoming programmingDadz Bar & Grill 744 Main Street Lumberton (609) 267-4344 Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament" Fri. 10 p.m. Out Of The Red Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar EntertainmentDempster's Pub 437 Pine Street Mount Holly (609) 261-0500 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL Fri. 9 p.m. DJ ChrisDog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA. (215) 788-2855 Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Paul Donovan Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (4 p.m.) Greg McGarvey Wed. 8 p.m. Dick GrattonFran's Pub 116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. (215)862-5539 Sat. 8 p.m. The Inflexables All shows age 21+Freddies Tavern 12 Railroad Avenue Ewing (609) 882-0978 Fri. 8 p.m. Gyrl Band Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe VadalaGrover's Mill Coffee House Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction (609) 716-8771 Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by AnkerHavana New Hope 105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. (215) 862-9897 Fri. 8 p.m. "Hello I Must Be Going" Phil Collins Tribute. Doors at 6 p.m. (Check for ticket availability. as of this publishing this event is SOLD OUT) Sat. 8:30 p.m. Se7en Sun. 1:30 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke Tues. 8 p.m. Jerry Lee Watkins Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat ForanHopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington (609) 737-4465 Thurs. 6 p.m. (TBA) Fri. 6 p.m. Living The Dream Sat. (12 p.m.) "The 5th Iteration of the Annual Art Exhibit at Hopewell Valley Vineyards" (6 p.m.) James Popik & Friends Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Al OliverIron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus (732) 306-9111 Thurs. 7 p.m. "Girls Night Out" feat. Arbonne Products Fri. 6 p.m. Ed Wilson Sat. 2 p.m. Grouser Girls Sun. 2 p.m. Tom FullerIvy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Fri. 9 p.m. The Ernie White Band Sat. 9 p.m. Polish Nannies All shows 21+John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-5981 Thurs. 9 p.m. Chris Aguayo Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh Sat. (3 p.m.) Minus K (9:30 p.m.) The Fletchers Sun. 3 p.m. Jason Ager Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Tim Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational All shows 21+Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton (609) 588-5454 Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider McStews Irish Sports Pub 5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA (215) 949-9570 Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim Sat. 9 p.m. Great Scott Band Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by MikeMillhill Basement 300 S. Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-1600 Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase Nook's PourHouse 2043 Route 130 South Florence (609) 447-0927 Fri. 5 p.m. Dave Murray Sun. 6 p.m. "Super Bowl Party" Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ QuizoholicsOlde Liberty Tavern 2114 Liberty Street Trenton (609) 396-2262 Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. NightPalermo's Of Hamilton 310 Klockner Road Hamilton (609) 838-7979 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21 +PANJ Radio Bridge Street Lambertville (609) 460-4673 Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Danny RongoPatriot's Crossing 1339 River Rd. Titusville (609) 737-2780 Fri. 8 p.m. (TBA) Sat. 8 p.m. Jeff & Joe Acoustic ShowPete's Steak House 523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton (609) 585-8008 Fri. 9:30 p.m. Deep Release Sat. 9:30 p.m. Jon Savage & The Classic RockersRandy Now's Man Cave 134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 424-3766 Sat. 8 p.m. "Feats Of The Body & Power Of The Mind" w/ Adam Realman. $12.50 (advance)Small World Coffee 14 Witherspoon Street Princeton Sat. 8:30 p.m. Chris Harford and The Band of ChangesSouth Rio 120 South Warren Street Trenton (609) 943-2123 Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV Tues. "$2 Tuesday"1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing (609) 392-6409 Fri. 8 p.m. "Love Is In The Air" Stage Reading of a Romantic Comedy. $12 Sat. 8 p.m. L Town Express. $20 Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown (609) 286-2300 Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G Sat. 10 p.m. Billy HectorTavern On The Lake 101 Main Street Hightstown (609) 426-9345 Sun. 6:30 p.m. Super Bowl Party Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA (215) 944-8050 Fri. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger Sat. 7 p.m. John & MaggsThe Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum ChoirThe HOB Tavern 146 Second Street Bordentown (609) 291-7020 Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night Wed. 8 p.m. John & MaggsThe Ivy Inn 248 Nassau Street Princeton (609) 921-8555 Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee Sat. 10 p.m. Papa DeLux and The Main Street Groove Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn RonThe Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge (609) 208-0050 Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit Sat. 9 p.m. Ned Ryerson and the GroundhogsThe Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton (609) 439-0007 Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out Tues. 7 p.m. KaraokeThe Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 656-3200 Check website for upcoming eventsTir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton (609) 392-2554 Fri. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo & Dennis Gormley All shows 21+Trenton Buzz 702 Pine Street Trenton (609) 392-6000 Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic. Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. NightTriumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 Fri. 10 p.m. Satellite Hearts. ($5 cover charge) Sat. 10 p.m. Jerry Feiss w/ Russell Norkevich ($5 cover charge) All shows 21+ Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location) 138 Nassau Street Princeton (609) 924-7855 Fri. 10 p.m. Challenge Accepted Sat. 10 p.m. Jason Liberatore All shows 21+Wildflowers Inn 2572 Pennington Road Pennington (609) 773-2392 Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia All shows 21+ Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
