It has been reported Peter died of heart failure at age 48. Steele (born Petrus Ratajczyk), the burly 6’7″ bassist and lead vocalist of the Brooklyn metal band, formed Type O in the early ’90s after stints in several other groups, including the hardcore act Carnivore.

He had a dark morbid type sense of humor and chilling lyrics that went along with Type O Negatives intensely deep music.  

A spokesperson for Type O bandmates Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly confirmed the report to MTV News on Thursday (April 15).   Garage-Girls will be keeping the band, Peter’s family and all the fans in our thoughts, this is a very sad day in metal.  

On May 16, 2010, five female motorcyclists with diverse backgrounds will depart on an epic journey from the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas with one common mission; to improve the lives of America’s Veterans. Along the way, the trip will take them to four VA Medical Centers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas & Iowa. Once they enter Wisconsin the women will join the LZ Lambeau honor ride leaving LaCrosse on May 21st along with over 1000 Vietnam veterans. As they get to Green Bay, WI, they will ride with a smaller group of 311 veterans into Lambeau Field where the traveling Vietnam wall and museum will be set up. LZ Lambeau is a “homecoming” for many vets from the Vietnam War era who were never properly welcomed home.  The Diamond Posse, as the five women are called, will end their journey on Saturday, May 22nd with a grand finale as they ride 100 miles from Green Bay to Milwaukee escorted by the New Glory Flag Bike Team to open Harley-Davidson’s Women’s Celebration. 

Each of the women has a strong tie to motorcycling and to keeping motorcyclists safe on the road in addition to their desire to serve the Veterans who keep our country free and safe.  Eldonna Lewis Fernandez, a Veteran herself, suffered the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and has dedicated her life to helping Veterans with PTSD.  Cat Hammes, an RN, was involved in a motorcycle crash in which she lost her leg.  She was told she would never ride again and now serves as an inspiration for all Veterans who have lost a limb.  Vicki Sanfelipo, the Founder of the Diamond Posse Ride, in addition to being an EMT and an RN, manages a company to train people to reduce injuries and fatalities at motorcycle crash scenes.  Amy Skaling travels to motorcycle events  and “blings out” clothing and motorcycles for riders, as well as participating in many motorcycle fundraisers.  The final member, Bobbie Carlson, works for Cape Fox and Concentric Methods, providing Motorcycle Safety training for the active duty service members of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.  All these women have been “Forged Under Pressure,” thus making the Diamond Posse a perfect name for them.

At each VA Medical Center, the local Harley-Davidson Dealer will coordinate efforts to host a fund-raising and awareness event where the Diamond Posse will talk with local Veterans and local riders.  All funds generated before the event and during the ride will go to the Fallen Heroes Fund which funds the Center for the Intrepid.  To learn more, donate or to sponsor the ride (proceeds go to Fallen Heros), visit http://diamondposse.us

I was over my friend Jill’s house last week. We often share books. She gave me “Last Song” and said that it was so good, I had to read it. I have seen the previews for the movie and it looked really good so I assumed the book would be too. I told her give me a week or so to read the book and then we could go see the movie. (We are going to see the movie this week.)

 

I started reading the book Thursday and finished it Monday. I couldn’t put the book down! I absolutely fell in love with the characters.  

 

As most of Nicholas Sparks’s books, it takes place on the shores of the Carolina’s. Ronnie and her brother Jonah are forced to spend the summer with their estranged father on the beach. Ronnie and her father share the love of music, particularly the piano but Ronnie gave up music when her parents divorced and her father left. Ronnie quickly makes friends with the wrong people and soon realizes it. As Ronnie becomes involved in protecting the endangered sea turtle she meets a local boy, who she discovers is more down to earth than she thought.   And since I don’t want to give away the entire book I’ll leave it at that….but  I can suggest you reading it! You won’t be disappointed.   

 

There are certain Era’s that are defined by the music and styles that were popular during that specific span of time. In the fifties and sixties it was all about poodle skirts, doin’ the Twist, and Bebopping. Moving on to the next decade, some people say that “if you remember the seventies,that meant that you weren’t really there.” In keeping with that theory,though on the opposite side of it~I say that if you remember the 80’s (into the early 90’s),not only would you recall that time period,but the music that had erupted during that timeframe,all the glitz,glamour and attitude that accompanied it~is undoubtedly engrained into your psyche.

There were quite a few bands that swirled around in the sugary carbonation of that time,that even then were an acquired taste. Only a mouthful or two were worth ingesting. Years later,out of all that frothiness~a BUBBLE emerged and had risen up above it all. A BUBBLE which would contain former Vixen/Contraband bassist Share Ross. (www.shareross.com)

You may remember Vixen as being the all female pop rock band whose videos were played on a constant loop on Mtv. Contrary to skeptics beliefs,Vixen could actually sing and play their instruments,and in my opinion~blew most of the “guy bands” completely out of the water. After Vixen parted ways (due to creative differences), Share played in a couple of different bands, one of which was her husband’s band “Dogs D’Amour.”

In 1997, after a brief stint in that band,Share and Bam founded the “Lovestains”;after a lineup change,and a somewhat new musical direction,BUBBLE was finally formed. 

BUBBLE is comprised of drummer Bam Ross,and bassist Dat T. Ngo,and is fronted by Share~who has traded in her bass for lead guitar,and also commands the lead vocals. Her raspy,snarly vocals are somehow,simulataneously~melodic and smoothe. If the Ramones and Joan Jett&the Blackhearts had a fling and conceived a child,BUBBLE would be their illegitimate lovechild. (www.planetbubble.com)

Their songs are solid straight forward rock,sprinkled with a bit of punk. Tunes such as “Deadender”showcase the bands skills at luring you into the groove. The melody reaches out and grabs you by the throat,asphyxiates you, then resuscitates you~only to leave you breathless again. All in under three minutes. The ballad “Sparkle Star”had won song of the year in the year 2000, in a John Lennon Songwriting Contest,which funnily enough they had submitted somewhat jokingly. Share had also been acknowledged as being the“Best Female Guitarist”( in the Los Angeles area,not once~but twice!)  

A bubble reflects colors from its surroundings. If you look closely at a bubble,you will see an array of different colors swirling around on its surface;the same could be said for Share. BUBBLE is her primary focus,the most distinct hue,but there are other colors that add to her beauty~such as her passion for living a healthier lifestyle. 

One day she had stumbled upon a book which contained information about raw foods,which~after a trial run,had led to a permanent and complete change of lifestyle and eating habits. Soon after she felt compelled to share her experiences,thus the manifestation of the“Raw Pirate Gourmet”website that she,(as well as her husband Bam) manage/host. 

If you want to know how to make a healthy chocolate pudding with avocados as the primary ingredient,or what to make as an alternative to the “A” typical salad,a recipe in which you would find items you wouldn’t necessarily associate with salad,such as seaweed,fruits and kelp~(as being the key ingredients)~then check out their site. (www.rawpirategourmet.com)

Another venture of hers is hosting a podcast show~“Rock n’Roll TV”~an online show that she and Bam had cultivated,delivering rock n’ roll news in an unconventional way. (www.rocknrolltv.net)

In between recording,playing live &concocting meals which consist of things that may have washed up onto the shoreline,Share has also written a book entitled “Punk Knits:26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls and Independent Spirits” and yes, she has a website devoted to that as well! The art of knitting,though in a punk rock fashion(not your everyday knitting patterns).You can even purchase skull sewing needles! (www.punkknits.com)

Share has come a long way since Vixen. As you can see,she isn’t just a typical “rocker chick.” She has overcome many obstacles in her life to be at the place where she is;I urge you to check out her various websites.You will find that there is something to appease all of the senses. 

{Also,if  you are anywhere near Hollywood, CA on April 20th,Share will be moonlighting as the bassist for Lorraine Lewis’ all star band “LA Nookie”at the Key Club. They will be opening for RATT. If you are in the area check em’ out!}.