"Gehenna" is a retro-post apocalyptic musical comedy, and now an album musical. It tells the story of a town of survivors of a nuclear holocaust, who set up a society in the fictional small town of Gehenna, California in 1963. All tracks on this album are available for free download. 

STARRING
Molly Cotten as Lisa
Tara Alise Cox as Evelyn

Emma Howard as Vera
AJ Lewis as Zeke
Abby Carlson as Georgia/Phyllis
Cameron Gilliam as Preacher
Eric Seppala as Burford/Clayton
Dena Drotar as Dr. Walter aka Lois
Bonnie Joy Sludikoff as Pastor Patsy
Patti Lin as Eleanor/Marilyn Monroe
Philip MacBride as Agent Guy Miller
Craig Sherman as JFK/Monty
Ggreg Snyder as Nikita Kruschev/Franklin
Dave Wilson as Dr. Adam Shapiro

Ensemble: Dana Shaw, Andi Karvalas, Troy Barboza, Matt E. Allen, Ndia, Tim McGowan, Samuel Gonzalez

Gehenna

From the erstwhile next album, this is a slice of life song. If you've had a tryst with a Space Dracula, you can relate. Featuring Robert Heft (guitar,) Mark Brown (piano,) Joylin (violin,) Brandon Meeks (double bass) and Ed Eblen (drums percussion.)

Space Dracula Mama

This is a cover of a Kris Kristofferson song, made popular in the 1976 version by Johnny Duncan and Janie Frickie. Kris also recorded a nice version. I combined elements of both and gave it a Jimmy Buffet-style reggae beat. Featuring Albert Lee (lead guitar,) Dana Shaw (guest vocal,) Robert Heft (rhythm guitar, bass guitar,) Mark Brown (keyboards) and Mike Tempo (drums, percussion.) Engineered and mixed by Robert Heft at Songwriters Studio Services. @robert-heft @dlshaw08 @mike-tempo @musik-haus-llc

Stranger

A mushy song about the lessons that parents teach us. Featuring Tom Bedlam on vocals and Robert Ruby on the instruments. Produced by Robert Ruby. @tom-bedlam-music @robertrubymusic

LESSONS AND BLESSINS
©2018 Ggreg Snyder

VERSE:
It’s such a shame that you’ll never meet
The two folks who thought that I made them complete
Though the time they spent in my life was quite brief
They gave me a simple set of beliefs
PRECHORUS:
Their wisdom is something I’ve found
To guide me, when they’re not around

CHORUS:
Eat all your vegies, take off your hat
Yes please and thank you, mom taught me that
Don’t ever hit girls, I got that from dad
The lessons and the blessins I’ve had

VERSE:
Sometimes I objected, it’s hard to behave
But still I remember, the judgement they gave
They wanted to teach things important to them
Though looking back at it, they weren’t all gems

PRECHORUS:
Your folks got their own point of view
But it looks like they raised you right, too

CHORUS:
Don’t talk to strangers, give grandma a kiss
Tell your brother your sorry, mom taught me this
Don’t smart mouth your mother, I got that from dad
The lessons and the blessins I’ve had

BRIDGE:
Been thinkin’ about what you mean to me
And that we should consider our own family

CHORUS:
Take the dog for a walk, don’t tease the cat
Wash your hands before supper, you’ll teach them that
Finish your homework, they’ll get that from dad
The lessons and the blessins they’ll have

Lessons And Blessins ft Tom Bedlam

This is a song about a street in Los Angele County's AV, which runs through Lancaster, Palmdale and Quartz Hill. Featuring Robert Heft on lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass, Roberto Diana on banjo, Mike Tempo on drums and percussion, and Nick Echols & Rachel Hirshee on backing vocals. @rachel-hirshee-768986806 @mike-tempo @robert-heft @robertodiana

LYRICS

AVENUE N
©2015 Ggreg Snyder

Jean drinks gin in the morning, he’s feeling misérable
At ten he interviews for a another stupid job
The questions he is asked, leave him perplexed
The man says, “Hey, you start on Monday next.

	The benefits package is contained herein.”
	He peruses it all as he drives down Avenue N

Brad leaves the office, his HR day is through
He walks into a bar, it’s called “The Office”, too
He argues with the losers, jokers with no life
And 8-ish he ubers home to his wife

	He's got a boring 9 to 5, she teaches yoga and spin
	They got a 5 bedroom house off of 60th West and N

(solo)

		You can pour it in a glass or chug from a cup
		Drink it all down, or throw it all up
		Buy it from a can, or distill your own
		Maybe misery is better homegrown

Debbie watches Brad fall asleep on the floor
and drives to a mobile home, she’s been there before
She and Araceli drink tequila and beer
They relate in a way that’s strictly peer-to-peer

	They go to the biggest church on Avenue N
	But they like to live life on the other side now and then

Avenue N

This is a new version of an old favorite, written in the mid-80's. Robert Heft is playing guitar and singing background, Dana Shaw is also singing background, Charles Lim is on double bass, and Ed Eblen is the drummer and percussionist @robert-heft @dalenickey @dlshaw08 @ed-eblen-music

Born Cool (Die Warm)

This is a from the new musical, "Gehenna." Tara Alise Cox is singing the contralto part, with Molly Cotten singing the high soprano.  Artem Zhulev plays saxophone. Robert Heft plays lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass, Ed Eblen is on drums. @tara-cox-167632375 @molly-cotten-573748187 @robert-heft @ed-eblen-music

That Dare Not Speak Its Name

This is from the musical Gehenna. Lead vocal is by Bonnie Joy Sludikoff as Pastor Patsy; backing vox by Dana Shaw, Matt E. Allen, Andie Karvalis and Troy Barboza; fiddle solo is by Ross O. Brown, acoustic guitar and lead electric guitar by Robert Heft, who is also the mixer and engineer. All other instruments by Luis Caldera. It is sung by the character of Pastor Patsy, describing how she has made some changes at her church, what with the world getting all apocalyptic. @Bonnie-Joy-Sludikoff @rossobrown @robert-heft @dlshaw08 @matthew-hocutt @troyarmandbarboza

New Age Religion

This is from the musical Gehenna. It is sung by three characters, all of who stumble across a woman giving birth on the street. Lead and rhythm guitar by Robert Heft, all other instruments performed by Alfredo Reed. Abby Carlson sings the part of Georgia (1st verse,) Tim McGowan is Harry (2nd verse) and Molly Cotten is Lisa (3rd verse etc.)  @alfredococo10 @abbycarlsonsings @molly-cotten-573748187 @robert-heft ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Having A Baby

This is the opening song to the musical Gehenna. "Mine Is Bigger" details the Cuban Missile Crisis as it escalates into a full blown nuclear war. For those of you not familiar with history, in real life the powers that be worked it out. In the context of this musical, things got out of hand. I am performing the role of Nikita Kruschev, and Craig Sherman is John F Kennedy. Pattie Lin has a cameo as Marilyn Monroe.  Backing vox by Dana Shaw, Andie Karvalis, Troy Barboza and Matt E. Allen. Engineered by Robert Heft, Most instruments by Alfredo Reed, electric guitar intro by Robert Heft. @patt5e @robert-heft  @dlshaw08 @matthew-hocutt @troyarmandbarboza @alfredoreed ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Mine Is Bigger

From the musical Gehenna, this track is the lament of a middle-age man, alone in a fallout shelter in the aftermath of a nuclear war. Lead vocal by Dave Wilson, doing a real fine Willie Nelson-style part. Background instruments by Alfredo Reed, lead guitar by Robert Heft. @robert-heft @alfredococo10 ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Some Company

A pop song from the musical Gehenna. In this tune, the character of Evelyn encourages her girlfriend Lisa that they should come out. Alfredo Reed plays most of the instruments, Tara Alise Cox sings the lead as Evelyn, and Molly Cotten as Lisa sings harmony on the bridge. Engineered by Robert Heft, who plays acoustic guitar. @tara-cox-167632375 @molly-cotten-573748187 @robert-heft @alfredococo10 ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

End Of The World

This song is for the finale of Act 1 of "Gehenna." It is sung by a visiting National Guard troop, who have a very important person to guard. Vocals by Philip McBride, Eric Seppala and Cameron Gilliam, with backing tracks by Michael Tjanaka. Robert Heft plays guitar and baritone solo and mixed and engineered the song. Artem Zhulev plays tenor and baritone saxophone. It is meant to be done in the style of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. @michaeltjanaka @robert-heft @philip-mcbride-679152285 @camgilliam

Service

This number opens Act 2 of Gehenna, with Agent Guy Miller singing about how special he is. Lead Vocal by Philip McBride, singing the role of Agent Miller. Solo by Dana Shaw, backing vocals by Matt E. Allen and Troy Barboza. Drums by Ed Eblen, lead guitar by Robert Heft, all other instruments by Freddy Parra. Engineered and Mixed  by Robert Heft. @robert-heft @parra_guitar @philip-mcbride-679152285 @dlshaw08 @matthew-hocutt @troyarmandbarboza @ed-eblen-music ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Man Of The Hour

From the musical "Gehenna," this song features backing tracks by Terry Melvin and Joyful Noise Music. It is a duet between Zeke (A J Lewis) and Phyllis (Abby Carlson). They are married and she suffers from radiation sickness.  Engineered and mixed by Robert Heft. @tmelvin-950716356 @abbycarlsonsings @ajlewis @robert-heft

One More Day

From the musical "Gehenna", this song features the character of Lisa, not long after the war, trying to find her way home. She meets two kind strangers. Featuring Molly Cotten as Lisa, Andie Karvelas as Lily and Matt E. Allen as Earl. Instruments by Ray Johnson, engineered and mixed by Robert Heft. @molly-cotten-573748187 @user-178051348 @robert-heft @matthew-hocutt ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Diasporata

From the musical "Gehenna," this is a meeting between Zeke and vendors from another town, to whom he hopes to dispense a special crop. Featuring AJ Lewis as Zeke, with additional vocals by Dana Shaw, Troy Barboza, Matt E. Allen and Andie Karvalis, and electric guitar by Robert Heft. All other instruments by Freddy Parra. @ajlewis @robert-heft @dlshaw08 @matthew-hocutt @troyarmandbarboza @parra_guitar Author's Note: This song includes a storyline involving cannabis use. This does not mean that I advocate it. It is simply part of the story. Truth be told, I am pro-legalization but anti-use, but my opinions have nothing to do with the story.

Oh, That!

Ggreg is a native of San Jose, CA, currently living in Las Vegas, NV. He is a singer/songwriter, as well as an actor, playwright and voice over artist. Member SAG-AFTRA, AEA, ASCAP, NSAI.

One More Day

Ggreg Snyder

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