The OTHER Hair Metal Blog

Steve Brown and JAGERMEISTER storm NJ.

It's summer time, so it must mean that Steve Brown is rockin' up and down The Garden State. Steve is the former guitar player for Trixter (now tell me that they would not make a great VH-1 Bands Reunited), and along with his band Stereo Fallout, proves that there is indeed life after Aqua Net.

Please note: This schedule is directly from his newsletter. Can anyone please help Steve with his formatting? Any older groupies from the steno pool?

4/5 of Kix performing 'Cold Shower'

I have always loved this band. Very underrated.

Not the greatest version, but fun to watch.

Need to brush up on Kisstory?

The entire history of KISS. In 8:44.

If you know Paul Black from LA Guns sister...

Please assist this man. Apparently while attending a show for one of the versions of LA Guns (in my opinion, it's the version with the singer that can't quite sing, but is one huge ball of fun), someone fell in love with the lead singer Paul Black's sister.

Ahhhhhhhh - love! Exciting and new. C'mon aboard. We're expecting you. It's the Loveblog!

There's a plea on the Metal Sludge Gossip Board for help. While I am not sure what this gal looks like, I am sure that she's pure of heart, kind to animals, and an all around good person. Gee, I don't mean to sound shallow, but I do hope she has nice tits!

From the Metal Sludge Gossip Board:

Subject: Can I "Date" Paul Black's (L.A. GUNS) sister?

Okay, okay I don't want to creep you guys (or her) out but I spoke to her this evening at the KEY CLUB. She was very cute and I thought we got along okay. Can anybody help me reconnect with her?

I thought Sludge might help with this. I don't want to stalk or hassle her...yet I felt we could have a good time outside of the "metal thing." (she was real cerebral..and I dig that) from our conversation and was wondering if we could have coffee or something to address that.

thank you---niceboys

Guns N Rose's 'Appetite for Destruction' turns twenty!

Guns N Rose's Appetite for Destruction is now officially 20 years old? Holy, guacamole!

Was it really that long ago when I first heard the opening riff while watching MTV at some unorthodox hour? Yes, Virginia. It truly was!

Rolling Stone celebrates this milestone with a behind the scenes look at the making of the album. It may just be me, but what I would have thought was REALLY cool back then just seems - well - not so cool. Perhaps if the current state of G n R wasn't so -what's the word - faux?

How Guns N' Roses Mixed Drugs, Punk, and Classic Rock to Make 'Appetite for Destruction'
Excerpt from Issue 1032
By BRIAN HIATT (Posted Jul 27, 2007 10:03 AM)

Axl Rose was lying nude inside a Manhattan recording studio's darkened vocal booth, working out some unorthodox last-minute overdubs. Tape was rolling, and he knew something wasn't right. Beneath him was a cute nineteen-year-old stripper named Adriana Smith, who happened to be his drummer's girlfriend. "Come on, Adriana, make it real," Rose barked, pausing mid-coitus. "Stop faking!"

On that warm weekend evening in the spring of 1987, engineer Vic Deyglio had set up a top-of-the-line vocal microphone to capture the sounds of Rose and Smith having sex -- and at one point, he had to dash into the booth to adjust the mike as they went at it. "It was like a Ron Jeremy set in there," Deyglio recalls. Smith wanted to get back at Guns n' Roses drummer Steven Adler for cheating on her -- and had always liked the singer better anyway. "I would do anything Axl asked me to do," says Smith, now a forty-year old mom. "He's fuckin' magical." Though she was drunk and giggly that day, Smith eventually gave Rose what he wanted: Her orgasmic moans -- which ended up high in the mix on Appetite for Destruction's final track, "Rocket Queen" -- are for real. But when Adler found out what had been captured on his band's album, the drummer "fucking freaked out," Smith says. She was haunted by her recording session for years: "I ended up drinking and using drugs over this for a really long time, because I had this extreme shame and guilt and stuff."

Read the entire article about 'Appetite for Destruction on Rollingstone.com.

Crisis in KISS - Paul Stanley gets sick and does not perform.

Let the conspiracy theories begin. Paul Stanley from Kiss has apparently taken ill, and was unable to perform in last night's show. The show still went on (in true show biz fashion), with a set that was obviously heavy on the Gene Simmons back catalog.

Blabbermouth.net has reported the following (also posted on with Metal Sludge):

PAUL STANLEY Hospitalized Prior To California Gig; KISS Performs As Three-Piece - July 28, 2007 

Paul Stanley was unable to perform at KISS's show earlier tonight (Friday, July 27) in San Jacinto, CA. According to unconfirmed reports, he was sent to a local hospital after it was determined that his heart was beating at 200 beats per minute and he was given a shot in an attempt to slow it down. Stanley did perform at the soundcheck this afternoon around 6:00 p.m. PST. Gene Simmons carried the show and KISS played as a three-piece with fans joining them onstage early in the set to fill in for Paul. The final setlist was as follows:

01. Deuce
02. Cold Gin
03. Calling Dr. Love
04. (Long Pause) Christeen Sixteen
05. Nothin' to Lose (w/ Eric Singer on vocals)
06. I Love it Loud
07. Goin' Blind
08. Watchin' You
09. She
10. Parasite
11. God of Thunder
12. Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll
13. Black Diamond (w/ Eric Singer on vocals)
14. Rock and Roll All Night

All Youtube.com clips are from "back in the day."

David Lee Roth needs a gig?

Speaking of reunions, here's what Melodicrock.com said about the rumored Van Halen reunion:

Van Halen announcement this week? Don't count on it...while 2007 tour plans continue to be debated and venues investigated, no one seems to know when any possible announcement is coming. Stay tuned I guess (again/still...).

And speaking of David Lee Roth, here's comedian Billy Mira nailing an imitation of Roth, and Howard Stern plays it on the air.

Guns N Roses reunion?

WIll at least 4/5 of GUNS N' ROSES reunite at Steven Adler's gig on Saturday, July 28th? While I personally doubt it, this will be an interesting event to follow.

Former GUNS N' ROSES Drummer On Reunion - "Whatever The STONES Make When They Play, We’d Triple It"

The following report is courtesy of Guitarworld.com.

Fans pining for a reunion of the classic GUNS N' ROSES lineup (or, for that matter, the release of the long-awaited Chinese Democracy, from the current lineup) probably shouldn’t hold their breath for, well, either at this point. But if original Guns drummer Steven Adler is to be believed, there is a small glimmer of hope on the horizon. Guitar World caught up with Adler at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, this past weekend, where he revealed he will be part of a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Guns N’ Roses’ seminal debut album, Appetite for Destruction, scheduled to take place at the Key Club, in Los Angeles, on July 28.

Said Adler, “I’ll be down there with my band (ADLER’S APPETITE), and Slash, Izzy (Stradlin) and Duff (McKagan) will be there too. It’s gonna be great.”

But while Adler promises a reunion of four-fifths of the original Guns lineup (the Key Club web site currently lists performances by Adler’s Appetite, LA Guns and “very special guests”), what about the infamous fifth member? The drummer doesn’t expect Axl Rose to show for the gig, though he is confident that a full reunion will happen…eventually.

“Axl and I spoke to each other in Las Vegas recently, and I know there’s a chance,” Adler said. “It’s just too big. Whatever the STONES make when they play, we’d triple it. It’d be ridiculous not to do it. He can’t be that goofy.”

Tickets for the July 28 show at the Key Club are on sale now, at Ticketmaster.com.

Peter Criss CD One for All is hit and miss according to Blogcritics.org

Uh-oh. Apparently Peter Criss' latest CD just doesn't cut it.

Music Review: Peter Criss - One for All
Written by Chris Holmes
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/07/26/090638.php

Longtime KISS fans recognize that Peter Criss has always lived a double life, musically speaking. On the one hand there is the hard rocking Catman, found on songs like "Hooligan," "Baby Driver," and "Dirty Livin'." On the other hand, there is the tender side of Criss, most evident on his 1978 solo album and the classic 1976 ballad "Beth."

Criss's first solo effort since 1994, the self-produced One for All,
falls squarely in the latter camp. In fact, it's even more subdued
than his '78 solo effort. Of the 12 songs on the album, only one
("Heart behind These Hands") gets any warmer than a simmer. In and
of itself that's not a problem, unless listeners were hoping for
something harder. What is a problem is Criss, as much as he
obviously poured his heart into One for All, lacks the songwriting,
singing, and production chops to carry an entire album.

Read the entire review at BlogCritics.org

What fans on YouTube.com say:

"I bought 3 songs from the new cd on iTunes and want my $3 back. What a piece of shit. Makes Gene's solo shit sound like Sgt. Pepper." cagwa

"Hmm...I wouldn't call this the best solo album he's done. Not by a long shot." MiggoZero

"Typical Peter Criss. You will either love it or slit your wrists 30 seconds into the song. No middle ground here."  ToxikVideo

Sebastian Bach teams with Merovingian Music

The RAWK never dies - it just kinda hibernates every once in a while. Or until someone somewhere tries to keep the flame burning by uncovering an old fossil or a hidden gem. In this case, I'd go with the latter.

Sebastian Back has teamed up with Jack Ponti's Merovingian Music to launch an indie label of his very own. If you don't know who Jack Ponti is, or what impact he's had in the music industry, then feel free to brush up on rock history with this hilarious interview on Metal Sludge.

Any-hoo, back to the matter at hand. Bach will be back with a new CD, and it should see the light of day this fall.

Here's the skinny:

SEBASTIAN BACH INKS "NEW MODEL" DEAL:
Press Release / Merovingian Music, Ltd announces the signing of a joint venture between MRV and Sebastian Bach's Get Off My Bach Productions to launch a yet to be named label owned by the artist. MRV is part of the Caroline/EMI Music Group and is distributed exclusively by them. MRV's model is designed specifically for artist owned, management owned and independent labels, creating a partnership that provides for all label functions.

Jack Ponti - Merovingian Music CEO: "Sebastian Bach has proven himself to be a true multi media star of music, stage and television. He has delivered a record of incredible depth and intensity that displays his growth as an artist. We look forward with eager anticipation to this journey together and are honored to be part of it."

William Hein - Senior Vice President/General Manager Caroline Music Group/EMI: "Sebastian Bach has recorded a fantastic new album and Caroline Music is thrilled to be working with Merovingian on its release. Sebastian is the real deal and "Angel Down" will be the rock comeback story of the year."

Sebastian Bach's new album, "Angel Down", will be his first solo CD since 1999's "Bring 'Em Bach Alive", and first release since 2004's "Forever Wild" DVD.WebLink: .

Why I Love My Job!

Just thought I’d share with the rest of the world about why I love my job as much as I do. First of all, I get to have great relationships with some of the most fun people in my industry – jewelry editors, executives and other assorted ad people.

Secondly, when these people want to pursue your business, they tend to be really, really nice and take you to dinner (always a cool thing). And sometimes they give you tickets to a play or concert (which I fully appreciate). Or they even may try to keep your attention with a gift. Well, below is my latest (and greatest) gift. Unfortunately, this is probably a signal that there will be 12 steps in my near future.

And feel free to tell me what parking lot to roll this to.

Special thanks to the fine and forward thinking people at Conde Nast.

And welcome to Novell Design Studio’s Advertising Hall of Fame.

Bam Margera brings Scandanavian "sleaze rock" to his Filthy Note record label.

Bam Margera's Filthy Note record label has signed the Scandanavian answer to sleaze/glam rock - Veins of Jenna. The band is currently the opening act on this summer's Poison/Ratt tour, but the question will remain - has or will anyone really noticed aside from a few dozen personalities from the Metal Sludge message board? And according to an article in the New York Post, good ol' Bam has a unique marketing strategy.

"I can shrink wrap band posters with my skateboards, of which I sell 10,000 a month," says Margera.

Sounds great. But there are some industry skeptics.

Comments Revolver magazine Editor-in-chief Tom Beaujour:
"Celebrities have almost never been able to break bands. Bam liking a band isn't enough to make other people really like a band, but it is enough to make them check it out."

Well, now. Personally, I hope that this works out. The industry does need some new flavor. But is Veins of Jenna the answer? We'll see.

A tale of two Faster Pussycats.

Well, just when you think you've seen it all! Once upon a time, there was going to be two Warrants and two Ratts. Calmer heads prevailed, and thanks to the legal system, there was no confusion as to what members were playing with which version of the band.

Well, lately there have been two versions of LA Guns, as well as the threat of TWO Faster Pussycats. Taime Downe, a man that became hell bent on reinventing himself in a goth/industrial image, got his panties in a wad after former guitarist Brent Muscat formed his own version of Faster Pussycat.

Apparently all is settled. But thanks to MySpace, here's a little tidbit provided by Mr. Muscat's wife.

To quote the band - "P-p-p-pussycat...SHUT UP!"

Classic hard rockers SINOPOLI offer downloads for $0.69.

Classic hard rock band Sinopoli is proud to announce that highlights from their musical back catalog are on sale as digital tracks for the first time ever. The New Jersey based outfit has been playing original straight ahead rock songs for the better part of two decades, and the band celebrates its history with this collection. Party anthems such as "Got Me Going" (a local hit on radio station WJRZ), "When I Get Home" and "Let's Get The Party Started" are just a few of the memorable songs that are now available at www.findittmusic.com. All tracks are individually on sale at the low, low price of just $0.69 each.

The History of Sinopoli
Sinopoli burst upon the New Jersey rock scene at a time when other locals such as Bon Jovi (maybe you've heard of them?) and Skid Row were securing their footing in rock history. The band was a regular staple at the legendary Olsen's, and was know to dazzle local shore crowds at The Chatterbox, Galaxy and Captain Hook's as well. "Got Me Going" was a legitimate local hit at a time when the smaller radio stations could actually pick the songs that they wanted to play, and Sinopoli was heard on the airwaves along side such other hard rock luminaries as Def Leppard, Poison, Guns N Roses, Skid Row and the aforementioned Bon Jovi. Never one to be pigeon-holed, these hard rockers displayed a wide variety of styles in their songwriting, and easily found favor with rock fans both young and old. Their independently released EPs "Rock To The Top" and "Sinopoli II" sold well at concerts and in area record stores. Although the climate of the music industry drastically changed a few years later, Sinopoli still played to crowds whenever and wherever they could. In the late 90's, reunion shows featuring the original line-up of Joey and Nicky Sinopoli, Bobby Abranowicz and Kevin Meyer were a big draw at 9 Bar South in Bayville, NJ. Time has shown that the impact of their classic hard rock sound never has never actually died. Renewed demand for their musical style has come alive thanks to word of mouth via the Internet.

He's not "your Jovi." He's not "my Jovi (or even Mijovi)." He's - BON JOVI!

Bon Jovi backlash? Like this is something new, right? Here's what is being said around this big thing we call "The 'Net" about Mr. Jon and his objection to the energy drink Mijovi.

He's not "your Jovi." He's not "my Jovi (or even Mijovi)." He's - BON JOVI!

Hopefully this energy drink doesn’t suck as much as Lost Highway. - comment on Hard Rock Hideout.

Apparently Bon Jovi are not rich enough.  They now are concerning themselves with going after small time energy drinks. - posted on The Blog Blog.

Mijovi is a new word. Mijovi is derived from three words of Latin origin to mean my jovial life. Who you are, what you do, things you like is Mijovi. Simply stated; your life…thats Mijovi.

Huh? - posted on Pop WInk.

I, of course, can totally relate to the millionare,mansion-yacht-sports car collecting, groupie shaggin, movie star, whom obviously wouldn't want anyone to make money on his famous name. - posted on  The Punvert.

Don't rhyme anything with "Bon Jovi!"

Jon Bon Jovi - Mr. Shot Through The Heart And You're To Blame himself - is taking aim at the makers of Mijovi energy drink. Apparently the rocker (or is it now country-rocker?) feels that drink maker Marcos Carrington is attempting to capitalize on his name, while Carrington states that the beverage is actually named after his girlfriend. Good thing that Bon Jovi wasn't given the name "Ned Bull" at birth.

Supposedly there are only 3,000 cans of Mijovi out in in stores. Way to go after the BIG guy, Jon!

This is from Associated Press:

Bon Jovi: No Mijovi
Jon Bon Jovi wants the owner of the Mijovi energy drink to change its name, arguing it is too similar to his famous moniker. But Marcos Carrington says his coffee-based energy drink is named after his girlfriend, Jovita, not the 45-year-old rocker. In a letter, Los Angeles lawyer Peter Laird, representing Bon Jovi, objected to the word "Mijovi" as well as other words "itsmijovi" and "itsmilife" that appear in the company's marketing materials and on the can. Rather than use Carrington's spelling, the letter used the phrases "It's My Jovi" and "It's My Life." "As you should be aware, one of Bon Jovi's most popular songs is entitled 'It's My Life,' " the letter states. "We hereby demand that you immediately cease and desist all further use of the name 'Mijovi' and 'It's My Life."' Carrington said the words "itsmijovi" and "itsmilife" are meant to mean "it's my jovial life." (AP)

Metal Sludge is back with Eric Singer interview.

Well, kiddies. MetalSludge.com is finally back in business! Which is good news some someone like myself, but bad news for any washed up musician with a bad attitude or a desire to blow some DNA in a spoon!

In any case, the website has been going through the motions for some time, but it returns to form with its first interview in what seems an even longer time.

Kiss drummer Eric Singer took part in a live interview with the one and only C.C. Banana (a comedian with a peel). Here are some hightlights:

CC:You first became part of the Kiss family by playing drums for Paul Stanley on his first solo tour in 1989. How did you get the gig and was there any talk at the time that you were being considered to fill the Kiss drum slot?

ES:Well, at that time I was in New York, recording an album with Badlands. They had the same management as the guy who played bass on Paul's solo tour, Dennis St. James... whose real name is actually Dennis Feldman. Why do Jewish guys in the music business always try to Americanize their names? Anyway, Dennis mentioned to the management that Paul Stanley was planning a solo tour and was in need of a drummer. Since by then I had already finished recording my Badlands tracks, they sent me over to the Kiss management office, which was literally around the corner from my hotel. There I met with Paul and gave him some of the CDs I'd played on. He actually ended up hiring me based solely on those credentials.

TESLA TO HEADLINE NEW STATION FUND BENEFIT

Picked this up on melodicrock.com:

In a new interview featuring Tesla's drummer Troy Luccketta in conversation with Wisconsin Music, Troy states there will be another Station Family Fund benefit held in February 2008 with Telsa one again performing. You can view the interview here: music.wisconsinmusic.net/articles/interviews/troy-lucketta-tesla.

Here are some highlights of the interview with Wisconsin-Music.net:

WM: The organization that you started, Wake Up To Love, has had a very positive effect on the lives of so many people. A couple of years ago you put on a benefit concert for the Station Family Fund. Are there any future plans with Wake Up To Love?

TL: It’s funny you mention it, I just talked to them a couple of days ago. We’re gonna do another Station Family Fund show again this February. Your site can be the first to announce that. It’ll be interesting to see what comes from it. But Tesla will be on the bill again.

Great White is back with Back To The Rhythm.

Great White's new CD - Back To Rhythm - was released overseas and in the US on July 17th. Having always been a fan of the band, I was happy to hear positive remarks about the release. Despite whatever tragedy may be associated with the name, Great White never earned enough credit for developing from a HAIR METAL band into just a solid rock n roll band.

Here's a review from www.savioursofrock.com.
OVERVIEW

Great White have had one hell of a ride. They’ve had break up’s and reunions, bust ups and of course the infamous burn-down. Literally picking themselves up from the ashes of a tragic club fire that took 100 people and one if its own members, Great White have released what they dub their comeback album. The classic line-up is here and its set to be released on their 25th Anniversary.

SONGS

Back To Rhythm sounds as it should. Stomping rhythm in a straight ahead rocker, from all signs, they ARE back in the rhythm. More reflective is the great Here Goes My Head Again, and the album is better for it. We can hear Beatles influence, one of the best songs from these guys for a long while. Take Me Down Tonight is similar and is a nice number. 1st ballad Play On is heartfelt and a well led, great, classic sounding tune. Was It The Night is yet another reflective song, its low-tempo moodiness make it a real winner, another album highlight (nice lead-work too!). Celebratory number I’m Alive can’t help but make you feel good, unexpected, but certainly not unwanted. Next up the mid-tempo anthem Still Hungry. Classic Great White. Standing On The Edge is a stock-sounding blues rocker, but How Far Is Heaven? Certainly isn’t. What we find is a delicate ballad that wears its heart on its sleeve. Neighbourhood is another top melodic mid-paced rocker and  Just Yesterday is a superb bitter-sweet ballad.

Motley Crew? Well, how 'bout a Motley cruise!

Vince Neil sets sail again! Wonder if Nikki Sixx will try and sue the captain of the ship (like he's suing Tommy Lee's manager).

Vince Neil is very pleased to announce the addition of Ratt to the musical lineup of Vince Neil's Motley Cruise sailing from Miami to Key West and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, on January 24-28, 2008. Ratt -- featuring Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, John Corabi and Robby Crane -- will perform on board during the 4-day rock and roll vacation, which also features performances by Skid Row and Slaughter.

Even more artists will be climbing aboard in the coming days and weeks, and cabins are booking up FAST! So be sure to visit www.motleycruise.com and www.myspace.com/motleycruise for all the latest info, and to make your reservation!

Ace Frehley rocks in Dunkin Donuts commercial.

Ace Frehley has gone from semi-Guitar God to now semi-Ad Man! Although he's been out of KISS for a few years now, here he is in a hilarious spoof of himself in a Dunkin' Donuts commercial. Well - it may only be hilarious to me, but that's another posting all together.

But my question is this - since Ace is in his full trademarked costume, does this mean that he will be touring again with KISS? Or will it be Franken-Ace Tommy Thayer? Tommy is a great player, but there's only one Ace - warts and all!

Here's what The Boston Herald has to say about the Dunkin' Donuts ad campaign:
KISS guitarist latest celeb to pitch Dunkin´
KISS guitarist latest celeb to pitch Dunkin´
By Jesse Noyes
Boston Herald Business Reporter

Dunkin´ Donuts is KISSing up to regular Joe customers in its latest advertising blitz.

Yesterday, the Canton-based retailer launched a new television spot for Dunkin´ iced coffees featuring KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.

The commercial is one of two ads the company released featuring well-known celebrities. The other 30-second spot shows supermodel Naomi Campbell getting frustrated doing yard work.

Both ads are examples of a recent trend by Dunkin´ of tapping national celebrities as it moves into new markets. The company recently turned to cooking show celebrity Rachael Ray as a spokeswoman.

Enuff Z'Nuff - Greatest Hits (But Maybe Not The Greatest Legacy)

If Enigma wasn't already taken by another musical performer, then it would be fitting for the good ol' boys in Enuff Z'Nuff to change their name to that. Enuff Z'Nuff's career has always been puzzling and somewhat difficult to understand. Yes, it's been an Enuff Z'Nuff enigma. Oh, such alliteration!

Enuff Z'Nuff's Greatest Hits is available now. One listen to the 1-2-3-4 punch of the first four songs ("New Thing," "Fly High Michelle," "Mother's Eyes" & "Baby Loves You") might just leave the average listener slightly bewildered. The question is - why weren't these songs anywhere near a genuine hit single? Now I don't mean just some song lurking in the bottom of Billboard's Top 100 for a few weeks. I mean heavy MTV rotation and Top 40 radio airplay. Did the band's initial appearance convince their potential audience that (at least at first glance) Enuff Z'Nuff was just another Poison/Warrant/Slaughter/Winger-esque group? Sure, the hair was teased high and the lips were more than just slightly glossy. The shine might have blinded an albino. Is there a scarier sight to behold than Chip Z'Nuff's pursued lips? I think not! Okay, well maybe there is. Enuff Z'Nuff first image is not nearly as grotesque as a Sally Struther's hosted infomercial or a live autopsy. And every musical era has a certain look that is relevant to the times. Late 1960's hippies wore tie-dye. Disco revelers twirled in sparkling bellbottoms. The original punks had green hair (but no Green Day). New wavers bopped around in pointy shoes. Grungers wore their flannel proudly. And today's music scene wears its banality on its sleeve. So what if the late 80's rockers adopted what they considered charming androgyny? It certainly got Motley Crue laid!

I'd like to believe that - in a perfect musical world - the songs, and not just the fashion, should be remembered the most. Sadly, sometimes this is just not true. Unless your name is Springsteen.

All Hail Monaco!

Simply put, the best $8.00 I have spent this year has been on Johnny Monaco. I can’t exactly say that I favor the concept of the EP (less tracks than a normal length CD), and I would have been willing to pay $20.00 for a few more songs. Yes, it is that good.

Jani Lane - Back Down To One

Back in the day - and we're talking the late 80's - I failed to pay much attention to the band Warrant. I never thought heaven was too far away. Didn't cared where the down boys went, or felt the need to find out what happened down at Uncle Tom's cabin. And I never really liked cherry pie, anyway. However, after the band fell from the charts and totally disappeared from MTV, an odd thing happened. Warrant's Best Of found itself on my desk and I decided to give the band a fair shake. Much to their credit, Warrant has some easy to digest pop metal songs. They aren't so bad after all.

Butch Walker ROCKS, dude!

Butch Walker possesses a certain charm and wit that just does not come along every day. He is rock’s answer to Woody Allen. Unfortunately, Woody Allen movies do not earn $100,000,000 at the box office. And also unfortunately, I can’t see old Butch going multi-platinum any time soon.

Witnessing Butch live may help those “on the bubble” fans understand exactly why his fan base is so loyal to an almost freakish degree. Therefore, Butch Walker: Live At Budokan is a perfect exhibition of his talents. The first section of the DVD features seven songs that were filmed while opening for Avril Lavigne in 2005. It illustrates Butch’s ability as an emotional and charismatic front man. There are no obvious musical overdubs, so you really witness a Butch performance that is “warts and all.” The show has some flaws, but nobody ever claimed that rock n’ roll had to be perfect. Observe the look in his eyes during “The Best Thing You Never Had,” and tell me that you can’t actually see his pain. Butch connects with the audience, and the video just doesn’t lie. During “Mixtape,” you can’t help of think of those times in high school when you compiled all of your favorite songs onto one cassette. That maybe one reason why he has yet to connect with a younger audience, but the words “Mix CD” or “iPod on shuffle” just do not roll off the tongue in the same manner. Overall, I have not seen anything this compelling since the OJ Simpson trial. Okay, bad example. But I think you know what I mean.

Pink sings 18 & Life with Metal Skool.

Okay, so Pink doesn't know all the words to Skid Row's 18 & Life. But she gets points for balls and attitude. Plus Metal Skool is a killer tribute to the 80's bands.

View it here.

And not one to be outdone, Kelly friggin' Clarkson joins Metal Skool for a version of Guns N Roses' Sweet Child of Mine.

METAL SLUDGE is down! But out?

The infamous Metal Sludge has been shut down for a few weeks now. According to Alexa.com, the site is currently ranked 40,168.

Will it come back? Although the front page says that the site is down temporarily, all bets are off as far as I am concerned. The message boards have been driving most of the traffic to the website, as there have been too few interviews or much of anything resembling original (and funny) content for some time now.

The important question remains - Stevie Rachelle, where are you? And where can I go to argue about which version of LA Guns really deserves to use the name?

Van Halen reunion in fall 2007?

Let's file this one under "I'll believe it when I see it."

VAN HALEN LOOKING AT 2007 LIVE DATES (courtesy of Melodicrock.com):
So, the word has started to leak...Van Halen are setting up a tour for 2007 and should everything fall into place it will start sooner rather than later. David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen have gotten together and parties involved in all aspects of the Van Halen machine are mobilizing to get this tour set up. Read more here.

A recent attempted reunion with Diamond Dave seemed to have fallen apart over this past winter. Eddie checked into rehab, and the world was forced to wait yet again - for at least the second time since 1996 (officially).

Melodicrock.com's 10th anniversary concert.

I have been a visitor of Melodicrock.com for the past 8 years, and the idea of a 10th anniversary concert is just a cool event for someone like me. Yes, I am in my 30's and most of the music in my iPod can be considered from the BIG HAIR era. Yes, that fact alone could label me to be "stuck in the 80's," but I wear that proudly on my sleeve. Heck - I was never one of the cool kids any way! And, yes - I admit to STILL liking Nelson, Slaughter, Night Ranger, Mr. Big and nearly every band appearing at the Rocklahoma Festival. Hello, my name is Rick, and I am an 80's rock BITCH!

Enough about me. Melodicrock.com has grown from a little niche site that generally reported on the acts from a few little record labels found in Europe and into a real music news website that literally any rock fan can enjoy. Throughout the years, it has broadened its scope to include all kinds of music news and reviews from the rock genre, although you still get a good dose of "all things melodic." Headlining the show is Scrap Metal, a sort of an all-star lineup featuring The Nelson Brothers, Kelly Keagy, Eric Martin, Mark Slaughter and other assorted guests and role players. Lately they have been playing some casinos, but perhaps this could be the start of the band branching out into other venues from time to time.

Enuff Z'Nuff currently on tour.

I have been a fan of Enuff Z'Nuff for about 18 years now. Original singer Donnie Vie left a few years ago, and since then there has been much debate about the current line-up with only Chip Z'Nuff remaining as the lone original member.

Having seen this band a dozen or so times, I can confidently say that the current line-up with Monaco on vocals is a better performing unit than the last few tours on which Vie "participated".

It's good to see someone else agrees. Here's a review from their show in Southbridge, MA (from KNAC.com). :

Enuff Z’Nuff  delivered a career-spanning set in a well-received opening spot. Still sans vocalist Donnie Vie and long-time drummer Ricky Parente, Monaco (redubbed “Johnny” Monaco in Chip Z’Nuff’s accolades) handles guitar and vocals, doing justice do Vie’s melodies and with a greater sense of exploration into the band’s catalog. While focusing early on the first record (“Indian Angel” and “Kiss the Clown”), Monaco also tackled “Right by Your Side” and “The Way Home.” In addition to holding down the beat, new drummer Randi Scott should be commended on his strong backing vocals. With Z’Nuff and his ability, there’s no need for backing tapes. The band closed with spirited versions of “Fly High Michelle” and “New Thing.” This was a very well-delivered set of music tied closely to the original recordings, but with more spirited solo’ing, improvisation (Monaco doing a bit of MSG’s “Desert Song” at one point), and band interplay than that characterizing the latter Vie years. Read the entire review.

Crue sues Tommy Lee's manager.

I guess they are going to use the "what was he thinking" defense, and claim that Tommy Lee was under too much pressure (of some kind) before he agreed to participate in some pretty goofy ideas.

Poor Tommy. The manager should counter sue on the grounds that Tommy is probably what they call "business smart," and jumped at any chance to distance himself from the Crue's image. Believe me - there was no gun to Tommy's head. I'm sure that he spent the money well.

I guess admitting that you are past your prime, and embracing the idea of an annual summer shed tour is just too much for the rest of the band. Blame must be assessed - fingers need to be pointed!

Washington Post: Motley Crue is suing one of its managers for more than $20 million, claiming he pushed drummer Tommy Lee into doing two disastrous reality shows that took him away from the band and forced the cancellation of dozens of concerts. Read the entire article.

Velvet Revoler returns with the anticipated Libertad.

Trust me when I say that I am pulling for Velvet Revolver to be a mega-success. Remember when there was much debate over Brides of Deconstruction vs. Velvet Revolver? There were weeks of discussions on Metal Sludge, and the bottom line was simple - Brides sucked, and Velvet did not. Well, at the very least, the industry and those people with budgets backed Velvet, and Brides didn't last past 2 releases.

Well, the new Velvet Revolver CD Libertad is out. The reviews are a little mixed, but so far its come out of the gate looking good.

Here are some from around this big thing we call "The Net":

Chicago Trbune: A competent, oddly reverential take on classic Sunset Strip metal from the '80s. A shame they forgot to write a hook. Read the review.

Arizona Republic: The star-studded Velvet Revolver has outlived the naysayers and survived to release a follow-up to its well-received debut album, 2004's Contraband. In stores today, Libertad picks up where that hard-rocking first album left off.  Read the review.

StarPulse.com: Either way, it works, and much more than it did on their respectable multiplatinum 2004 debut ''Contraband.'' Read the review.