BearoticEntertainment for Bears and the furry at heart.

Elijah Black Delivers Hard Rock Passion

Written by NetBear on July 23, 2008 – 5:27 am -

There’s something very empowering about listening to music that comes from our own community. In the world of hard rock, that doesn’t happen very often. So when we found a rocker who’s big, burly and out, we thought you’d like to meet him.

Elijah Black has opened for so many of the big names in rock like Motley Crue, Kings X, Styx, Neil Young, Cinderella, Deep Purple, Dream Theatre, Nazareth, Blue Oyster Cult, Ratt, Jackyl and others. Like the song says, he will rock you! But as formidable as this mountain of a man looks, he’s also got a tender and emotional side that shines equally well through in his music.

I had heard Elijah’s music as part of the Bears On The Run tour. So I thought I knew what to expect as I started listening to his latest CD entitled Better Man. I wasn’t quite prepared for what I heard.

If there is one element that stands out for me in Elijah’s music, it would have to be his voice. It’s smooth, elegant and so easy to listen to. After talking to him on the phone I can tell you that his speaking voice is pretty nice too. Later on you can hear him in some videos. But on Better Man Elijah reminds me of Anthony Kiedis from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. While Kiedis’ voice is more nasally and a sounds a bit remote on most tracks, Elijah Black has a more mellow sound that is right there in front of you. Even if you didn’t know what Elijah looked like, you’d feel his presence in a very good way. All the tracks on Better Man have that very polished sound — from the carefully crafted orchestrations to every strum of the guitar, you get a feeling like this performance is just for you. And then there are the lyrics…

Six foot and 245… when you’re around I don’t want to be alive. I start to shake when you’re not around.

Throughout the album you get a feeling like Elijah is singing from his heart, singing from a place that feels somehow familiar. In the song Power Of You, when he starts talking about his six-foot, 245 pound obsession, it helps confirm that Elijah is coming from exactly where you hoped he might be. Though the lyrics and emotions transcend being classified as gay or straight, it is both comforting and encouraging to know that this is coming from a man who has gone through the same experiences that we have as gay bear men. You’ll find it very easy to connect with Elijah’s music.

But nothing quite explains an artist’s work like the words of the artist himself. We asked Elijah a few questions to try and learn more about his perspective on life, love and music.

How old were you when you first started getting into music?

I have always been into music. I used to listen to 45’s and stuff when I was growing up. My dad owned a bar and the jukebox guy would give him the old records. Dad would bring them home for me so I had records from all over the place and all eras of music. My babysitter across the street was in high school and very cool. She used to always take me to her house and I’d listen to her records with her. I was pretty lucky as a kid.

You’ve got a very unique sound. Who are some of your musical influences?

I’m a HUGE Beatles and Zeppelin fan. I really like Pearl Jam and Sound Garden, especially Chris Cornell is one of my favorite singers. But singers like Paul McCartney and James Brown I have always thought were great.

When you are writing a song, where does the inspiration come from? How do you go about writing a new song?

Well, inspiration can come from a lot of different places. My last record “Naked ‘Gainst the Blue Sky” was a somewhat angry record and you can hear the angst and frustration. And that is on many different levels, from my own personal frustration to the frustration the world creates, such as drive by shootings, kids shooting up their schools etc. Usually I sit with my guitar or behind my piano and start writing a melody I can attach lyrics to.

Out of all your songs, which one are you most emotionally attached to and why?

I’d say I was most attached to the title track of Better Man. That song prompted the writing for the rest of the record. I think it captures the spirit of the entire record too. It was the one that inspired me to start doing some of the solo singer/songwriter stuff I do, which was very hard at first as I was used to being surrounded by a band. The dynamics are different that way. I had to approach the Better Man record differently than anything I had ever done in the past. Instead of writing it for a band, I wrote it so it would make sense to cover these songs with just a guitar and not use a whole band.

I’m curious… Who is Sammy? (From the liner notes of Better Man)

Sammy was my partner that passed away in October of 2006. That song and the record are for him. He truly made me a better man. It’s still very painful for me. I feel his loss on a daily basis.

How did you come out as a man? And as an artist?

I came out very late in life, probably 30′ish. I told my folks and family — I felt I had to. As an artist, my lyrics have always suggested an inner struggle I was having. I started doing solo shows, singer/songwriter type of shows and did some Bearapaloozas and now Bears On The Run.

You’ve opened for some big names in rock. How do they react to your being a gay man?

Yeah, Motley Crue, Styxx, Ratt, Jackyll, Cinderella, Neal Young, Kings X and more. Well most never knew. I, at this point, have had no problems and have felt acceptance. My band is all straight and they don’t really care. They’re proud I am who I am. They enjoy playing on my records and they like my lyrics too.

Like most artists, your music transcends gay/straight, male/female, etc. Can you share some of your experiences when a fan turned out to be not what you’ve come to expect?

Well, ya know that’s a tough question — especially for me as being a big bear. Nothing is shocking, I guess you could say. I am always surprised, though, when I’m talking to a big burly man and he turns out to be gay. I guess cause I would never have expected that. Now in that same scenario I’m in a gay bar, it wouldn’t be so shocking to me. But I play all kinds of clubs and venues. So I never take for granted or make assumptions.

Where do you want to go with your music?

This record is just out since April so I need to really work it, which I have been. I’ve been doing a lot of touring with the Bears On The Run and on my own too. I’ve been to Columbus, St. Louis, Wichita and more since I got back from the tour.

Where is your music taking you?

I hope my music takes me to a place where I can do it full time. I also hope it helps me be able to take my entire band with me on a tour. I love doing the singer/songwriter tours and performance. But I really miss that power of the band behind me sometimes. I would love to start doing bigger events too, like Folsom Street Fair, Hairrison, IBR and Bear Bust.

I hear you’re going to be the next music video star on LOGO? Is that true?

It’s true! In June I went to New York City to visit LOGO/MTV and signed papers and gave them my video for “Smile for Me,” track 1 off my new Better Man album. I have a great story about the video too. Also on that CD is a documentary. If you put it in your computer you can watch the “Making of the Better Man” album. It’s very cool. Bob “Brutus” Cunningham of Buffalo edited the video for me. He did an amazing job cause he only had my raw footage to work with.

I filmed most of this stuff myself using a tripod. I wasn’t sure why. I just knew I should capture the recording on video since it’s not everyday you make a record. I was glad especially when Bob told me he wanted to produce a video for me. I was so pressed for time I didn’t have time to go to Buffalo and have him direct something. So I sent him an early recording of the song with my raw footage from that track. Bob’s an amazing director. He’s also worked with Kendall on some of his videos.

You’re a big, handsome bear man. So somebody is going to ask. Are you single?

After losing Sammy its’ been rough. I just haven’t really felt like dating anybody. I just don’t have enough heart right now to share with anybody else. It wouldn’t be fair to them. But, as they say, time heals all wounds.

What kind of guy catches your eye?

I like all kinds of men. I love the interesting people I have met. But, yeah, a certain type of guy sure does catch my eye. I like masculine men, usually over 40 and let’s be politically correct and use the word “husky”… I like that for sure.

How about you take a listen for yourself? Here’s Elijah performing Power Of You at Bears On The Run in Albany, New York.

Next Elijah is in Texas performing Impressions.

And last, when you watch Elijah play Better Man in Florida, you’ll know why this song is dedicated to Sam.

Elijah has played bear events in Toronto, Nashville, Buffalo, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Erie, Salt Lake City, Akron, Cleveland and more. Now we just need to get him out to the west coast.

You can listen to Elijah’s music and learn more about him at his web site. His albums Better Man and Naked ‘Gainst The Blue Sky are available for purchase there too. Naked ‘Gainst The Blue Sky is also available on iTunes.

More To Entertain You

• Mating Season At ZooSF Unleashes The FURRy
• Bruin Develops Bear Culture In “Bear With Me”
• 619 Bearcast Is Like Hanging Out With Buddies