Friday, January 24, 2014

FROM THE BOOTLEGGER'S, TO FUDGE TUNNEL, TO SEPULTURA, SOULFLY AND BEYOND...THE STORY OF CHRISTINA

This week I would like to introduce my Students to my daughter, Christina Newport.  Quite simply, I could not have accomplished the things I have done in my life if she was not by my side.
Christina and Max at Ozzy's wedding
 From my early roots in the Bootlegger's, Christina has been my rock, my constant supporter.  After school, she would skedaddle to the club and help me in the kitchen, plan shows, organize band's needs, and babysit endless hours.  She taught me about underground music, bands like the Dead Kennedys, SNFU, RKL, SOD, JFA, and Bad Religion.  She would go in the pit ferociously and display her trophy of bruises the next day.
Family time at Christmas
When the cops took the club from us, she mentally supported me through my nervous breakdown, assuring me the world hadn't ended.  After I got my mojo back, we began promoting shows together.  We headed to LA and scoured the clubs looking for small acts to bring to Phoenix.  Dark Angel, LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, Znowwhite and Nuclear Assault among many others.  She introduced me to the Victor Brothers, who gave me a venue to do my thing in.  We were alive again!!
Christina with Danny Lilker 

Christina with Danny and Nino 
Christina was on top of the game in looks and style.  She taught me how to dress, how valuable a good can of Aqua Net was, how to spike a mohawk with Elmer's Glue, all the essentials.  We were the first girls Max ever saw wear Doc Martins!
Getting ready for the show
When I began touring, she took over the house and kids.  True I had to break up fights over the landlines and pay phones and when I came home the house was a disaster, but the kids were happy and nothing ever burnt down!  Funny, all the mail would be tossed in a garbage bag the size of a house and the mini kids were all sporting shaved heads and mohawks, but there was always a big smile on their faces!


As my bands grew bigger and I added Sepultura, Christina began selling merch for us. She was honest, came up with great designs (the Third World Posse shirt-biggest selling Sep shirt ever, was her creation), and worked harder than anyone I knew.  Many times she chased bootleggers down dark European streets, grabbing armloads of merch and giving it away to fans.  This is how she met her husband Alex Newport, of Fudge Tunnel.  I am sure you don't know the FT album GREY was written for and about her.  I must admit I was jealous!!
Fudge Tunnel..................................................Alex^^^

Christina and I with Sepultura at the Louvre

On our way to Sepultura's last show in London
After some time, she graduated to tour manager of Soulfly and held this job for many years.  She was never afraid to kick some ass for us, or to party hardy when we celebrated.  She held this job until the birth of sweet little Moses.  Yes, she endured life at its finest moments and life at its worst, but she always stood by me.
Christina and Moses
Time has moved on and she has 2 sweet little daughters, now by her side, Jadore and Nadja.  I am sure they will stand by her as she has stood by her mother.  That is our blood.
Jadore and Nadja
People remark how organized our Soulfly tours are.  When we walk into a venue, we always know what's up; things are dialed in.  I owe it all to her.  Though she is not visible in the music scene, she is there in all respect.  She advances our tours from home, fights for our rights and makes sure all production details are perfect for our needs.


Every manager needs people who have their back, who supports them when the going gets rosy or bleak.  Remember, it takes more than a quarterback to win the game!



Class dismissed...