Staff & Management of Empire Extreme

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The staff of Empire Extreme is made up of a dedicated group of individuals who live and breathe music. Many of them have spent their entire careers working in various corners of the industry, bringing firsthand experience and deep passion to everything they do. Some are active musicians, while others specialize in management, sound production, and merchandise—each contributing their expertise to the world of heavy music.

Get to know them, follow their work, and connect with them on their social media platforms.

ATTENTION Labels, Publicist, Tour Managers & Artists:
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a part of Empire Extreme and they are not listed on this page, then they are NOT part of our organization, and we can not vouch for their credibility nor take any responsibility for your interaction with them.  If you are approached by somebody claiming to be part of Empire Extreme under these circumstances, please feel free to contact our Publisher: Josh Drespling, at josh@empireextreme.com.

Josh Drespling – Publisher, Writer, Photographer, and Web Guy

Josh Drespling (AKA Tha Doc)

Josh, also known as The Doc, is the mastermind behind Empire Extreme. He has a huge background in the print and design industry and runs his own marketing and design firm called Majesty Marketing. Along with being an accomplished illustrator and artist, he is also a successful journalist and photographer. He has seen his work published in some of the planet’s largest and most prestigious publications. By nature he is an “idea guy,” but not one of those sit-back-and-bark-out-order types; he would rather be down in the dirt making it happen. He has also been in several noteworthy bands that toured extensively in the Midwest and Northeast. Josh was also behind the launch and development of Kingdom Extreme Magazine, a sister publication to Empire Extreme, and has also been on staff at several other publications and newspapers.

Those who know him understand that there is no idea too big and no obstacle that can’t be destroyed by the unconventional ideas falling out of the head of this man. Josh lives by the motto “There has got to be a better way,” and his work and innovations prove that statement to be true.

Jason L Nelson – Lead Photographer and Visionary

Jason L Nelson

Jason Nelson is one of those people who everybody knows, and no matter what your situation or your position in life, he is able to make you smile. He has professed that as a youngster he wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but since that dream never came into existence, he is content to make people laugh on a more personal level.
He is an extremely accomplished photographer with a passion for music and capturing those moments of pure energy and expressionism with his camera. He has produced mountains of amazing shots of every rock star and celebrity that you can name. He has a list of published photos so long that even he can’t remember half of them.

Aside from his passion for the camera, Jason also has some interesting hobbies. One is that he is pen-pals with a number of the planet’s most “infamous” people (seriously, his mom used to get mad at him because these people would send letters to her house and thus know where they lived). Someday he will find the time to put together a book of all those letters and stories.

Other pursuits that keep Jason out of trouble are his never-ending quest for celebrity autographs, being a die-hard wrestling fan, and being an avid music collector.

Managing Editor

Ron S. (AKA P.)

Ron, or simply “P” to some, has been in love with all aspects of music since a very early age. He has been a part of various bands and groups spanning just about every genre imaginable. He has also spent many years being behind the scenes of the music industry. From being a musician, a fan, and an industry insider, P has built up a vast collection of useless information, when combined with his love of writing, creates a whimsical and harmonious blend of information and entertainment.

With a keen eye for talent and a love for the underground, “P” has no fear of going where nobody dares or wants to go. He is in the trenches working on the scoop and digging for the information about the newest artist before they break or working an angle with a veteran artist you know and love. Never one to back down from an assignment, “P” is always game for a challenge.

Writer / Photographer

George Archibald

George Archibald has been a metal connoisseur for many years, starting with working at his local CD store in town, On Cue. The CD store opened up a collection of music that would have remained a mystery to him otherwise. This inclusion, paired with his musical abilities, shaped his taste for the underground scene. George spends his time looking for up-and-coming bands that are pushing the envelope of the extreme metal genres.

You may also know George from the local music scene, as he has been in several bands that have played throughout the Eastern Ohio and Central/Western Pennsylvanian areas. An experienced guitar player for over 25 years now, he likes to review music not only from a fan standpoint but also from a musician’s perspective. He also brings this informed point of view to his band interviews, having experienced some of the same situations as the musicians he is speaking with.

J.J. Ulizo – Pittsburgh Area Staff Writer

J.J. Ulizio

JJ considers himself to be the luckiest guy for being given the opportunity to write for Empire Extreme. He is a lifelong music fan of all genres; he made his first mark on the local music scene by starting the (currently defunct) Rockshow Productions in the Beaver County area outside of Pittsburgh. He also continued his foray into local music by fronting his own band, Pittsburgh metalcore act New Shores Burn (currently on hiatus).

Eventually crossing paths with Tha Doc and falling into his position in the original run of Empire. JJ would send Tha Doc more and more local bands in hopes that they would get coverage. Eventually he was told to “just do it and we would get it published.”

More recently, JJ has been begging the powers that be for more hours to be added to the day as he lives on caffeine and tries to balance his two jobs working in EMS with going to school and continuing to think of himself as the luckiest guy on Empire Extremes staff for getting to meet and interview the musicians he loves.

JJ also uses Snapchat and live snaps from the shows he is fortunate enough to cover. If you are interested in following him there for music-related “stories” or just random other things that happen to fall out of his brain, you can look him up at jj15059.

Anthony Bernardi – North Coast Staff Writer

Anthony Bernardi

What’s up, everyone? My name is Anthony, aka Klownz. I thought I would give you all a little 411 on who I am.

Music has been and is a big part of my life. I remember jamming out to The Moody Blues with my dad. One day in particular he looked at me and said, “Son, you can hear music, but you’ll never truly understand it unless you feel it.” That still means a lot to me today, especially when I pick a band. Music, to me, is the only thing that all the cultures around the world have in common. Currently I am learning to play the drums again and also writing songs. I have always gone to music for my inspiration, to relax, or to get my blood pumping.

My family and I live in Minnesota, where we pride ourselves on our music festivals, mosquitoes, and casserole dishes. Music has heavily influenced my life and also my family’s. I have over 300 shows under my belt, and I can only hope to give you all some in-depth interviews and killer access to shows here in the Midwest.
As they say, Catch you on the flip side!   Klownz

Elena Bottles – Staff Photographer

Elena Bottles

When she was 19, Elena’s family opened a music venue, The Fallout Shelter, underneath their bowling alley in Aliquippa, PA, propelling her into the local music scene. As the venue’s bartender, she quickly made friends with the punks and metalheads who flocked to the place and, as a photography student, turned her camera on them. Music quickly became one of her favorite subjects to shoot, both at live shows and for band promo pictures, though many other styles can be found at Elena Dee Photography. She is proud to have her work featured on multiple albums, in magazines, and online.

Elena lives in western PA with her husband, whom she met when his band played her venue, and three cats. Along with photography, she enjoys knitting, flesh suspension, and flea markets.

Shelby Tyce – Photographer / Writer

Shelby Tyce

I’m Shelby, and I’m from New Castle, PA. I’m quite new to the music scene and industry, and I’m very excited to see where this adventure takes me. I am a graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, where I studied as a media major with a primary focus in photography.

I also own and operate my own photography business called Tyce Photography.

Alyssa Varner – Staff Writer

Alyssa Varner

I’m currently in the medical field, working at a hospital on a telemetry floor. Taking care of people is a very important part of my life. I’ve been doing it so long it just comes naturally!

I am 25 years old, so I’m always trying to be adventurous with my close friends. We like to go to concerts, EAT, shop, and obsess over makeup. Music has always been there for me; it makes me happy and has never let me down. There is nothing better than experiencing your favorite band or discovering a new artist. When I asked the infamous “Tha Doc” if I could join his team… he didn’t hesitate. I’m so excited and “extremely” happy to be a part of something so great.

Andy Jillson

Andy Jillson is a freelance photographer, writer, and music blogger currently residing in Silver Spring, MD. Andy is a self-proclaimed music “nerd.” Music is his religion. He loves hard rock, metal, and industrial music but can also school your ass on bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Nirvana, Radiohead, Blur, and The Mars Volta.

Andy’s been photographing concerts in his free time since 2013.  The first few bands he photographed were The Flaming Lips, Dead Kennedys, and Ministry. Since then he’s been hooked on the photo pit.

Marley Hein

Bio coming soon!

Scott Massie – Writer & Columnist

Scott Massie

Bio Coming soon!

Brain Altman – Photographer / Free Spirit

Brian Altman

Brian is what you would call a free spirit. He has a keen eye for the unique and often unseen photographic angles. He can often be found with a camera in hand after wandering into a place he is not supposed to be, having an hour-long conversation with a complete stranger.

Aside from photography, Brian is a painter and owns his own business, Baltman Painting Company. He is also a drummer, a father, a brother, a son, and a bearded and tattooed cat dad.

“Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a DIFFERENT DRUMMER. Let him step to the Music which He hears.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Ian Sallese – Story Teller

Ian Sallese

Bio coming soon!

Paul Hammond – Writer

Paul Hammond

Bio coming soon!

Ross Jacobs – Silent Majority

Ross Jacobs

Ross is indeed the silent majority. He handles the back end of things, the finances, the phone calls, the backroom deals, and the enforcement. He and Josh have worked so closely over the past few decades that many have developed a theory that they are the same person. But we can assure you that without the help of Ross and his keen mind, much of the success that Empire Extreme has achieved would have never been possible.
Bottom line, if there is a problem, he solves it. We leave it at that…

ATTENTION Labels, Publicist, Tour Managers & Artists:
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a part of Empire Extreme and they are not listed on this page, then they are NOT part of our organization, and we can not vouch for their credibility nor take any responsibility for your interaction with them.  If you are approached by somebody claiming to be part of Empire Extreme under these circumstances, please feel free to contact our Publisher: Josh Drespling, at josh@empireextreme.com.