By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: June 2, 2009

I now have a new travel planner. The next time the Center for Disease Control or the World Health Organization declares a, "Threat to all of humanity," I’m booking a trip. I recently returned from that hotbed of swine flu, Mexico and had probably my best vacation yet: no crowds, excellent service, my choice of rooms and, oh yeah, no swine flu either.

By Jake Ryan
Published: April 23, 2009

For several years, one of Colorado’s most talented music groups has been right under the metal scene’s nose. Referred to by many as the local scene’s most underrated metal act, 9/10 of the Law has been tirelessly performing to satisfied crowds without gaining the accolades other groups get. But like most things, Colorado metal fans can’t stay ignorant to 9/10 of the Law’s prowess for much longer.

By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: April 1, 2009

There are many places in the world I have yet to see: The canals of Venice, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and Aisle Eight at our local supermarket. To visit the first three have been lifelong dreams, the last: a nightmare. That’s the aisle assigned to the Feminine Hygiene products, or at least that’s what the sign warns.

By Jerry Roys
Published: February 23, 2009

Joshua Blue, winner of NBC’s 2006 Last Comic Standing contest, has been taking away people’s breath with laughter for years. But it was Josh who had a hard time catching his breath when he was born.

By Jake Ryan
Published: January 12, 2009

Many people within the local music industry, as well as some outside of it, know that it’s no secret Colorado has a big player lending a major hand in boosting the exposure of the state’s music scene to the rest of the country. He is best known to metal fans everywhere as the current lead guitarist of the Latin-metal band Ill Niño, and former guitarist of Machine Head. With over 1.5 million albums sold throughout his career, nationally and internationally known guitarist Ahrue Luster has been producing and aiding local metal bands in the area he has made his home, Colorado.

By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: November 13, 2008

Start spreading the news. That’s right folks, Ma and Pa Ryan are back from the Big Apple. The Wife and I recently returned from a trip to New York City and I promise I will never again take it personal when someone calls Denver a "Cow-town."

By Jake Ryan
Published: November 4, 2008

Very rarely does the opportunity arise to interview and give insight on a band that has yet to hit the local metal scene with a live show. However, given this particular band’s jaw-dropping music, as well as their uncontainable drive and outlook on music in general, giving local metal fans an advance look at Spare the Legion (myspace.com/sparethelegion) is a no-brainer.

By Rock Ryan
Published: September 3, 2008

In 1965 the Colorado Hall of Fame inducted three members: Earl "Dutch" Clark, Jack Dempsey, and Bryon "Whizzer" White. The careers of Jack Dempsey and Bryon White have been well chronicled down thru the years.

By Momma Tee
Published: August 6, 2008

Trying to name your band? Look in your old a high school science book. That’s what Todd McMullen, 23, did. Todd is the guitarist/ukulele and lead vocalist for the band Synthetic Elements.

By Rock Ryan
Published: July 10, 2008

That loud thud you heard during April and May was various Denver newspaper sports columnists falling off the Rockies’ bandwagon. After an appearance in the World Series last year, there were high hopes for another championship season. Last year the Rockies were the Media’s darlings, this year they dropped them faster than the left dropped the Clintons.

By Jake Ryan
Published: June 2, 2009

For many years, the worlds of heavy metal and hip hop have collided with in several projects and musical acts. These seemingly polar opposites have somehow gravitated towards each other, and made for a recipe for success by bridging genres and creating a larger mass appeal. However, Denver’s No 1 Left Standing has managed to meld these two genres of music into a style that forces you look at it as a style in and of itself rather than a mixture of the two.

By Jake Ryan
Published: April 22, 2009

With less than two years as a band, they already have several accomplishments under their collective belts. They have opened for nationally famous metal acts. They earned one of Colorado’s most sought after awards for local bands. And they are ready to unleash their debut album on the world. On April 25, fans can finally get their hands on 20XIII’s full-length CD, Just Take Two and Call Us in the Morning.

By Jake Ryan
Published: March 20, 2009

It’s not often that a local band’s album has music fans chomping at the bit in anticipation for the release, or literally counting down the days before they can get their hands on a copy. Yet, Less Than Under’s newest album accomplished just that.

The wait is over.

By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: February 11, 2009

I have a real pain in my butt. No, for once I’m not talking about The Kids, or even The Wife, I mean a real pain. Someone mentioned it may be my Gluteus Maximus and I was thinking: isn’t that the character Russell Crowe played in Gladiator? Thank God for the internet. I now know what’s hurting me so bad: that’s right, it is my Gluteus Maximus after all. It is a butt muscle for those of you without internet service, a big honking one at that and the reason for my discomfort.

By Jake Ryan
Published: December 9, 2008

Melodic brutality reinforced by originality.

This, in a nutshell, is the simplest way to describe the sounds coming from the Denver metal quartet Iconocaust.

By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: November 28, 2008

"Hello, my name is Mike Ryan and I am a musician."

There, I said it. I feel like I’m at an AA meeting and the room is full of teary eyed addicts, waiting to hear my tale. That’s how I’ve been made to feel since applying for a job. Yep, you heard me right, quit the snickering: a job. I thought I’d go straight, leave the seedy life I have been living, leave the "Dark," side, and join the rest of normal society. Actually I feel like a criminal, out on parole and unable to convince anyone I can be a viable contributor to society. I recently applied to work for a financial institution which shall remain nameless. To give you a hint, their name rhymes with Wachovia. Okay, I’m a little upset with them after what they have put me through. A little back-history is in order.

By Jake Ryan
Published: October 8, 2008

Fresh off of their advancement into the Top 6, second performance round of KBPI’s Best Band in Denver competition, Denver’s thiC is building up steam and rolling forward like a band on a mission. They are working on back-to-back years in the competition, all the while gaining fans and making sure the metal community is taking notice of their infectious sound along the way.

By Mike "Hammer" Ryan
Published: August 22, 2008

I have been having quite a few Olympic moments lately. Just last night, after nailing my entire routine, flawlessly I may add, I stuck the landing on my dismount, threw my hands up over my head and puffed out my chest in triumph. The Wife just rolled her eyes, muttered something to the effect of, "Oh brother," then rolled over and went to sleep.

By Jake Ryan
Released: August 14, 2008

Time and time again, one local musical act has forced fans to recognize that great metal music isn’t something to be based on gender. Denver’s Saved By Ruin (purevolume.com/savedbyruin and myspace.com/savedbyruin) has had music fans in Colorado, as well as other states, taking notice of their talent and originality. The metal quartet offers three opportunities to see their live set between this and next month, with shows on Aug. 23 at The Toad Tavern, Sept. 6 at the Oriental Theater and Sept. 20 at PT’s Club Inferno.

By Jake Ryan
Released: July 10, 2008

Fort Collins-based rock/metal group 20XIII has begun to turn heads in Denver, which has earned them higher-profile shows in the Mile-High City (Online: myspace.com/2013rock). The five-piece group, Pete (vocals), Shamrock (lead guitar), Mikus (rhythm guitar/backup vocals), Ian (bass) and Brandon (drums) will be headlining at the Gothic Theatre on July 17.