The OTHER Hair Metal Blog

The Other Hair Metal Blog Re-Opens.

Hey weasels…

After spending the past few weeks deciding whether or not to accept an offer to buy this domain name, I have decided to listen to my inner journalist (and a HACK journalist at that), and really attempt to make this blog work. So hold onto your hats, cats! I am going to try and move The Other Hair Metal Blog forward on a daily basis with news and original content. Yikes! I better put down the beer.

If you are a label or musician (or even just wanna be a dick), feel free to e-mail me at rikraffmarketing@aol.com to let me know what the heck is going on! I am open to any and all suggestions. Just consider me another promotional channel, and a blogger with a marketing background.

Later.

By the way – Tracii Guns is currently on tour with his League of Gentlemen. If you are in the same area as the band, then check him out. A great guitarist and an approachable guy, too. Find the tour dates here. Act fast, as he’s only out there for two weeks

Guns is Blazin' - Tracii Guns Hits the Road with Solo Rock Band.

During the month of May, legendary rock guitarist Tracii Guns – the man who put the “Guns” in both LA Guns and the original line-up of Guns N Roses (betcha didn’t realize that!) – hits the road with his League of Gentlemen rockers to perform some of his classic hits and a lot of other surprises. In fact, fans of good old fashioned hard rock will be treated to the sounds of LA Guns, music from the hard rock band Brides of Destruction (which included Nikki Sixx and was also featured on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show”), and rare material from his super-groups Contraband and Killing Machine. All in all – it’s nuttin’ but a good time!

Tracii Guns’ League of Gentlemen tour dates:

May 16 - San Diego, CA 710 Beach Club
May 18 - Lakewood, CO Ecks Saloon
May 20 - Detroit , MI Irock
May 21 - Greenville, WI Route 15 Sports Bar
May 22 - Janesville, WI The Back Bar
May 23 - Meriam, KS Aftershock
May 25 - Waterloo, IA Spicoli's Grill Garden
May 26 - Oklahoma City, OK The Rock Theater
May 27 - Dallas, TX The Rockstar Bar
May 28 - Kemah, TX Heads N Tails
May 29 - San Angelo, TX Dead Horse
May 30 - Tucson, AZ Omally's

Motley Crue To Perform Dr. Feelgood Album During Summer Tour

From KNAC.com:

knac.com — Motley Crue announced they will perform the entire album, Dr. Feelgood, from beginning to end at every performance on their Summer festival tour, Crüe Fest 2. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Dr. Feelgood, which became the Crüe’s first #1 album on the Billboard charts.

A chance to win an iPod!

This just in! Vote for what you think is the best platinum love story, and you will  have a chance to win a free iPod. The four most popular stories will receive a free set of Novell platinum wedding bands.

 

Visit http://www.allureaccess.com/pgi/ to participate.

 

Music news: A Country Cat Meets A Def Leppard

Taylor Swift Calls Rocking with Def Leppard 'A Dream'

From People.com:

Taylor Swift's first exposure to Def Leppard's tunes? In the womb. The 18-year-old country princess, who paired with the '80s rock icons to tape an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads in Nashville Oct. 6, tells PEOPLE that her love affair with the band began before she was born.

"My mom was a huge fan of theirs when she was pregnant with me," Swift says. "So growing up, the music that was playing in my house was Def Leppard. It was music that she liked that I could like too."

Swift set about contacting the band a year ago in hopes that they'd join her onstage for CMT's genre-bending series. The lads from Sheffield, England, whose blockbuster Hysteria album was released two years before Taylor was born, admit they were clueless to her fame at first.

"The first thing we did is Google 'Taylor Swift' and we were like, 'Whoa! She's only a kid!'" said Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott. "Then you start listening to the songs and it's like, 'Why wouldn't we want to do this?' I mean she's one of the biggest stars in America now. It's flattering."

The collaboration resulted in a few unexpected moments – like Elliott joining Swift in the chorus of her new song, "Love Story," crooning along with the lines, "You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess."

Read more of "Taylor Swift Calls Rocking with Def Leppard 'A Dream'"

Music news: Thunder Talks About Their New Release and Playing The US

From MelodicRock.com:

Luke Morley, guitarist of the band Thunder, called into The Classic Metal Show on Saturday, October 4th. During the conversation, Morley talked about the band's new LP Bang, their longtime association with Whitesnake and David Coverdale, and their newfound aspirations to bring Thunder to the United States. To check out the interview on YouTube, go to the following links: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1FHawYzcto – Part 1 / www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux5M4Se4Ofs – Part 2. To download the interview in MP3 format, go to www.reverbnation.com/cms.

The Classic Metal Show is heard weekly on Saturday's from 9p-3a EST at www.cmsradio.net.

Music news: Tesla still rockin' and rollin' with Forever More

From Desert News.com:

The five-man, hard-rock band Tesla has been on a roll. Over the past year, the band, based in Sacramento, Calif., has been busier than it had been in its previous 10 years combined. Tesla has released three albums of covers, returned to Europe for its first tour there in 15 years, released a DVD ("Comin' Atcha Live! 2008") and now is preparing to release a new album of original material, "Forever More," which promises to be as good as anything the band has ever released over its 20+ year career.

"We're working constantly," bassist Brian Wheat recently told the Deseret News during a phone interview from Sacramento.

Wheat compared the current state of Tesla to going to the gym every day. Once it regained its form, the band was encouraged to keep working to remain in top shape. He said there has been a very positive attitude in the band over the past year or so.

The new album reunites Tesla with Terry Thomas, who produced 1994's "Bust A Nut," a very good album that came during a very bad time for the band.

"A lot of fans really like ("Bust A Nut.") I don't know how much of it we remember," Wheat said.

If making a record today is like going to the gym, then the time "Bust A Nut" was made might be compared to going on a diet of junk food.

Read more about Tesla's new album...

Music news: New album from Honeymoon Suite

Honeymoon Suite's new album - Clifton Hill - comes out in October. Listen to sound samples at MelodicRock.com.

About the band:

Johnnie Dee and Derry Grehan, the principal and founding members of Honeymoon Suite, met when introduced by manager Stephen Prendergast in 1982. Deciding to work together, they re-formed the band's first line-up and added Grehan's former band mate Dave Betts on drums, along with Toronto bred keyboardist Ray Coburn and ex- Toronto bassist Gary Lalonde.

In 1983 the band won a contest promoted by Toronto's Q107-FM radio station with the song “New Girl Now”. WEA Canada was so impressed with the response to the song that immediately signed the band. Originally scheduled for release on Valentine's day the milestone first album was released in June of 1984 headlining tour dates in clubs and performing in support of Billy Idol, Jethro Tull and Bryan Adams among others. A significant highlight was their achievement of a Juno award in 1985, propelled by the first album's platinum sales status. Almost 22 years after its initial release, the album has sold over 400,000 units in Canada alone.

Honeymoon Suite's second album was released on Valentine's Day in 1986. “The Big Prize” featured a rare appearance by Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson and achieved platinum status in Canada almost immediately, with steady sales in the US. The band's American tour that year included opening stints for Heart, .38 Special, ZZ Top, Journey, Starship, and Saga and for the following album the band travelled to Los Angeles in 1987 to record with Ted Templeman (Van Halen, Aerosmith, Doobie Brothers). “Racing After Midnight” was a slightly harder-edged, guitar-oriented album that spawned a European tour with Status Quo and a headlining tour throughout Canada.

Keyboardist Ray Coburn then returned to the band in time for WEA to release a “Best Of” compilation in 1989. When Betts and Lalonde took leave shortly thereafter, Coburn, Dee and Grehan began writing together again giving birth to “Monsters Under The Bed” in 1990. Honeymoon Suite kept on playing with different incarnations during the years and released in Europe the “Dreamland” album on Frontiers Records, which brought them to play in the UK at the GODS Festival in 2002 with the subsequent release of a live cd / dvd package. Honeymoon Suite's original line-up reformed in 2007 and after a very successful year of touring, is now on the road again for the summer of 2008. Honeymoon Suite will continue their non-stop touring schedule with summer shows alongside Loverboy, April Wine, Kim Mitchell and other classic rock acts.

A brand new studio album produced by Tom Treumuth (who produced the debut album) is now complete and will receive a worldwide release in October 2008.

The album is titled “Clifton Hill,” named after the Niagara Falls, ON location where the band was formed 25 years ago. To celebrate this significant milestone and the album's release, the City of Niagara Falls is hosting an outdoor music festival, “RockintheFalls”. Honeymoon Suite will headline the bash, taking place on September 1st in Victoria Park (right across from the Falls) with plans to hit the European territory in the fall/winter.

Pepsi Tate Tribute Song on iTunes Today!

From HardRockHideout.com:

Bryn Terfel, Shan Cothi and Tigertailz release a a new single today Monday 22nd September available from iTunes as a digital download only.

This is being used to launch a cancer charity in memory of Tigertailz bass player Pepsi Tate (Justin Smith) who tragically died from pancreatic cancer last year.

Read more of "Pepsi Tate Tribute Song on iTunes Today!"...

Robert Mason is the new "Down Boy" in Warrant

Where do the "Down Boys" go? Well, wherever it is, it's now with Robert Mason. A new live fan video was posted on YouTube.com featuring Warrant with new vocalist Robert Mason performing "Down Boys" at the Myth night club in Minnesota. The video starts off dark for the first two minutes, before Warrant starts. However, it does show the strength of Robert Mason's vocals. A good fit for the band. But can they do anything with it? Hope so. We'll see. Maybe these guys can tour with Tracii Guns' version of LA Guns?

Music news: Def Leppard headlines NHL Face-Off Rocks

From DefLeppard.com (as seen on the Metal Sludge Message Board):

NEW YORK (September 19, 2008) - The National Hockey League (NHL) will launch the 2008-09 season with NHL Face-Off Rocks 2008, an opening day spectacular headlined by the world's greatest arena rock band, Def Leppard, on Thursday, Oct. 9. The multi-platinum selling rock band will open the night with a special performance of their arena-inspired hit single, "C'MON C'MON" from Fox Theatre in Detroit, followed by the raising of the Detroit Red Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup Championship banner prior to the start of their sold-out home opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena. VERSUS and CBC will air portions of the performance as part of their broadcasts of the Red Wings game in the U.S. and Canada, respectively. NHL.com and CBCSports.ca will provide live streaming coverage of the concert, giving fans around the world the chance to take part in the season-opening festivities.

Starting Monday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. E.T., tickets to NHL Face-Off Rocks 2008 at Fox Theatre headlined by Def Leppard on Thursday, Oct. 9 will be available for purchase for $35 and $45 on-line at Ticketmaster.com and OlympiaEntertainment.com, at all Ticketmaster locations and at the Fox Theatre box office. To charge by phone, call 248-433-1515. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.

Fans in attendance at Fox Theatre will be treated to a broadcast of the Red Wings game, including the championship banner-raising ceremony, an exclusive arena rock show performance from Def Leppard of the band's smash hits and songs from their latest album, "SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE," and a performance from a soon-to-be-announced special guest. A deejay will entertain the audience throughout the event.

With more than 65 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, Def Leppard--Joe Elliott (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick "Sav" Savage (bass) and Rick Allen (drums) -- continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career, the band has produced a series of classic groundbreaking albums that set the sound for generations of music fans and artists. Renowned as Great Britain's premiere arena rock band, the group's spectacular live shows, filled with powerful melodic rock anthems, have become synonymous with their name and they are an institution in the touring industry as they continue to sell out arenas worldwide.

"When Sav first played me "C'MON C'MON," I remember saying to him 'I can hear this being played in every hockey arena all over the United States and Canada'," said Def Leppard frontman, Joe Elliott. "Once we recorded it, I was even more convinced."

The band's latest album, "SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE" (Bludgeon Riffola/Island/UMe), debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200, earning Def Leppard their highest-charting debut since 1992. "SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE" contains 11 new songs including the hit single "NINE LIVES," featuring a groundbreaking collaboration with country music superstar Tim McGraw.

Music news: HINDER will headline this fall's Jägermeister Music Tour

From Blabbermouth.net.

HINDER will headline this fall's Jägermeister Music Tour with support from TRAPT and REV THEORY. The trek will kick off on October 28 in San Diego. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

"Use Me"is  the new rock video from HINDER. The clip was directed by Wayne Isham, who has a long video history working with METALLICA, QUEENSRŸCHE, JUDAS PRIEST, OZZY OSBOURNE, MÖTLEY CRÜE, BON JOVI, and DOKKEN, among others.

HINDER has unveiled a new widget that will be featuring a new video interview each week until the release of the band's new album, "Take It to the Limit", on November 4.

"Take It to the Limit" is the follow-up to HINDER's three-times-platinum smash "Extreme Behavior".

Read more of "Hinder Hits The Road For This Fall's Jägermeister Music Tour"...

Rock critic thinks that Warrant/Jani Lane just do not get it

From DelcoTimes.com:

Earlier this year it was revealed that one of glam metal's most notorious acts, Warrant, would be reuniting with singer Jani Lane and its original line-up would be in place for the first time in almost 15 years. Now, after just a handful of summer tour dates in secondary markets that by all accounts varied between mediocre and horrible, the band has announced it has parted ways with the troubled frontman once again.

"It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that Jani Lane will no longer be performing with Warrant," read a statement. "From the beginning of our reunion talks to the last note of our last show together in Houston this past weekend we have had nothing but good intentions of bringing a quality original Warrant show to our fans and friends. We wish Jani nothing but the best and remain friends."

"We are very excited that we have found an unbelievable voice in Robert Mason, an old friend of the band. We have three dates confirmed, come out and judge for yourself ... we don't think you will be disappointed!"

The thing is, disappointment is not only inevitable, but likely already in place. It's still unclear what exactly happened, as beyond the press release from Warrant, no other information has been forthcoming from either side. Rumors are that Lane quit, or was asked to leave, in the wake of some less than stellar shows.

A gig in Nevada in early July had the singer unable to complete songs or remember lyrics, and many in the audience walked out. Those who didn't heckled Lane and booed in disapproval. The rest of the group was visibly uncomfortable, playing through gritted teeth.

The final straw was the Rock the Bayou festival Aug. 31 in Houston, where again Lane forgot lyrics and at one point tried to start a song the band already played a few numbers before.

Lane's well-documented history of self-sabotage was put on prime time display a few years back on the VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club.

Back in May, just days before the Warrant reunion tour kicked off, a clean and friendly Lane sat down to talk with Rock Music Menu.

"It was like 14 years erased, everybody was on the same page, and it's been comfortable ever since," he said of initial rehearsals, predicting a summer full of writing and heading into the studio in the fall to record a new album with the band.

Now, Warrant is just one more band that can't keep it together, which is sad because since the late 80s heyday of the genre, there hasn't been a better time for the so called "Aqua Netal" acts to be back together. Look at the success of "Rock of Love," featuring Poison on frontman Bret Michaels, and the current crop of new artists like Hinder, who openly embrace the good time party atmosphere in music, lifestyle and image.

Even Mötley Crüe, who've long distanced themselves from the hairspray and spandex, have somewhat embraced the era by referring to themselves as pop metal in recent interviews to promote its inaugural summer package tour, Crüe Fest.

Read more of "Warrant 'retooled' doesn't get it"...

Music news: Kix to release new live album and DVD

From BringBackGlam.com:

Kix are getting ready to release a new album and DVD! The new CD will feature live cuts from a 2007 XM Radio special and performance at Rams Head Live. The album will feature the most famous Kix songs like “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” and “Blow My Fuse”…and the ones not on the 1993 Live release. That means “Cold Shower” will finally get the official live treatment!

The DVD is from the 2007 Rams Head Live performance. I'm told there also might be some “vintage video” of the Hot Wire recording sessions. This new live package will be the first  Kix album since the 2002 Essentials release. The album should be out by Christmas.

Read more hair metal news at BringBackGlam.com....

Music news: Bon Jovi's Bryan gets lyrical for 'Toxic Avenger'

From NJ.com:

A quarter of a penny an hour.

That's how much David Bryan estimates he's made from his adventures in musical theater -- including his current stint as composer and co-lyricist of "The Toxic Avenger." The show, based on the 1985 cult film about a weakling-turned-superhero, will have its world premiere at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick starting Sept. 30.

"I've worked a billion hours and made close to negative money," Bryan says. "Thank God for my day job."

That job is playing keyboards for Bon Jovi, the band he helped found 25 years ago. No question that the group's 120 million in album sales has helped Bryan pay for his home in Colts Neck and support his three children.

Still, Bryan was intrigued two years ago when Joe DiPietro -- who wrote the book and lyrics of the successful off-Broadway show "I Love You! You're Perfect! Now Change!" -- said he was writing a musical version of "The Toxic Avenger."

"I hadn't seen the film," Bryan says. "I just kind of remembered the title and how many people I knew liked it. So we sat down in Joe's apartment in New York and watched it."

"The Toxic Avenger," which spawned several movie sequels, a TV cartoon and a Marvel comic book series, is the story of Melvin, a 90-pound resident of fictitious Tromaville, N.J., who is bullied and humiliated by all -- until he falls into a vat of toxic waste. Melvin becomes a superhero who starts dispensing justice -- to Bryan, not exactly an exciting premise.

"I was more intrigued when I read Joe's draft," he says. "It was funny like the movie, but it had heart, too. Joe's grounded it in a love story. The greatest thing about Joe's writing is that he creates a character that makes you care."

Bryan wrote the music and DiPietro the book, but they collaborated on lyrics. The director is John Rando, who staged "The Wedding Singer" and "Urinetown" on Broadway, and the title role is played by Canadian newcomer Nick Cordero.

Read more of "Bon Jovi's Bryan gets lyrical for 'Toxic Avenger' "...

Music news: Butch Walker's new song now available on iTunes

Butch Walker brings great hooks and melodies to the rock n roll table. A former member of Southgang, Butch has done well for himself with producing, but commercial success for his own music has been elusive. His new single sounds a little like Tom Petty, but it's still one of the best singles of 2008.

From Rock-Music-Blog-Online:

“The Weight of Her” is the brand new single from Butch Walker. It is available on iTunes, and another new song can be listened to at http://www.myspace.com/butchwalker. Very rootsy. Very good. Almost like music from the heartland – but Butch Walker style! His new album will be available in November 2008.

This is brought to you by http://www.rock-music-blog-online.com/.

God dammit Butch – it’s time to get the word out!

Music news: Jizzy Pearl to be a guest on UK's "Hair Metal Haven"

From Blabbermouth.net:

Vocalist Jizzy Pearl of the reactivated California rockers LOVE/HATE will be interviewed by Chris Nelson on next weekend's edition of "Hair Metal Haven" on Rock 247 Online. The show will be broadcast on Saturday, September 20.

LOVE/HATE's debut album, "Blackout in the Red Room", reached No. 154 on The Billboard 200 in 1990. The video for the single "Why Do You Think They Call It Dope?" was in rotation on MTV, chiefly on "Headbanger's Ball".

In 1992 when they released a second album "Wasted in America", Jizzy Pearl used himself in a legendary publicity stunt to help album sales. This stunt, with the help of a few others, included Jizzy successfully erecting a cross on the Hollywood sign and positioned himself on it. There are two incarnations of LOVE/HATE, before Jizzy Pearl left for L.A. GUNS and after he returned to restart LOVE/HATE. The second incarnation ended quickly as Jizzy Pearl left again to join RATT.

Music news: Hair metal vets join forces in Dirty Rats

From Melodicrock.com:

Los Angeles - Juan Croucier of Ratt fame has updated the lineup of his band. Jeff LaBar (Cinderella) will now take over lead guitar duties in Juan Croucier's Dirty Rats. The band also includes John Medina on Drums (formerly of Bret Michaels' solo band).

Juan Croucier: "I am extremely pleased to introduce Jeff LaBar as the new lead guitar player for the band! I have always greatly admired Jeff's guitar playing, as well as his exceptional stage presence. Clearly, he's a world-class guitarist. We're both known for our live performances, so I can't wait to hit the stage with Jeff! This band is truly going to kick serious ass!"

The Dirty Rats will begin playing fly-in shows throughout the United States before the end of the year and also plan on touring the US with a multi band package, early next year. There are also plans to begin recording a new record early next year, for release next summer. The bands set list currently includes most of Ratt's major hits, as well as other surprises.

You can visit www.juancroucier.com or www.thedirtyrats.com for tour dates.

Music news: Main Man Records releases hair metal tribute CD

From Melodicrock.com:

South Belmar, NJ, September 15, 2008 - Main Man Records announced today that it will release Hair Apparent: The Main Man Records Tribute To Hair Bands on October 7th. Hair Apparent will be available for purchase at www.mainmanrecords.com and Vintage Vinyl in Fords, NJ, and will be coming to iTunes and other digital outlets in November.

Nearly a quarter of a century after they dominated the charts, bands like Motley Crue, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake still have a loyal audience,” says Hair Apparent executive producer Kim Mulligan. “Whether the critics want to acknowledge it or not, it's obvious the enduring popularity of these bands must have a little something to do with the quality of their songs. It's not easy to strike a common chord with millions of people worldwide or else everyone would have done it, right?”

The concept behind Hair Apparent was to present the songs in a variety of musical genres and let them stand on their own. The musicians on Hair Apparent are not covering these songs; they are re-interpreting them. “Stripped of the hairspray, the spandex, the videos and the excessive behavior, these are really solid songs and well worth repeated listening,” Mulligan adds. The line-up features artists as diverse as Bob “Derwood” Andrews (former member of the punk band Generation X) with a version of the Slade/Quiet Riot classic “Cum On Feel The Noize,” and guitarist Sean Eden (formerly of Luna; currently with Elk City), lending his considerable talent to Helix's “Heavy Metal Love”, re-imagined by LaBooze. Dennis Dunaway, who co-wrote the Alice Cooper classics “Schools Out” and “I'm Eighteen” is also on Hair Apparent with his version of Spinal Tap's “Big Bottom”.

“These artists turned these songs upside down and inside out. They're really nothing like the original versions,” says Keith Roth, who is also one of Hair Apparent's executive producers. “Hair Apparent puts a whole new spin on these 80s classics,” Roth explains. Keith's band Frankenstein 3000 tackled Cheap Trick's “She's Tight.” “I'm really honored to be a part of this tribute,” Roth adds. “This is one for the ages.”

The track listing:

1. Labooze - Heavy Metal Love (originally recorded by Helix) 2. Bob “Derwood” Andrews - Cum On Feel The Noize (originally recorded by Slade... and then Quiet Riot) 3. Mutant Monster Beach Party - Malibu Beach Nightmare (originally recorded by Hanoi Rocks) 4. Frankenstein 3000 - She's Tight (originally recorded by Cheap Trick) 5. Christian Beach - I Wanna Rock (originally recorded by Twisted Sister) 6. The Wynntown Marshals - Ballad Of Jayne (originally recorded by L.A. Guns) 7. K Roth - Chatterbox (originally recorded by The New York Dolls) 8. The Dennis Dunaway Project - Big Bottom (originally recorded by Spinal Tap) 9. Bad Biscut - Babylon (originally recorded by Faster Pussycat) 10. Pillow Theory - It's So Easy (originally recorded by Guns 'N' Roses) 11. fouryearbeard - Another Piece Of Meat (originally recorded by Scorpions) 12. AB - Shoot 'Em Down (originally recorded by Twisted Sister) 13. Mars Needs Women - Public Enemy #1 (originally recorded by Motley Crue) 14. Johny Dey - 18 And Life (originally recorded by Skid Row) 15. AB - Little Fighter (originally recorded by White Lion) 16. Killing Phantoms - The Final Countdown (originally recorded by Europe) 17. Days Before Tomorrow - After The Rain (originally recorded by Nelson) 18. Frankenstein 3000 - Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You, Tonight (originally recorded by Spinal Tap) 19. Dan Maxwell & His Band - Here I Go Again (originally recorded by Whitesnake) 20. Early Times - Wanted Dead Or Alive (originally recorded by Bon Jovi)

Since 1998, Main Man Records has been the home of cutting edge compilations around the New York/New Jersey area. Our releases have become the standard by which all local artist compilations are judged. Main Man Records strives to make each collection a unique and exciting listening experience, whether it be one of our legendary tribute CDs like 2003's Kiss This or a mix of artist's originals like 2005's Happy Meal. Our CDs have featured exclusive tracks from such established artists as The Donnas, Cherie Currie from The Runaways, Sylvain Sylvain and Steve Conte from The New York Dolls, The Alarm and The Atomic Bitchwax as well as rare recordings by members of David Bowie's band, Alice Cooper, Blue Öyster Cult, Skid Row and Redd Kross... a Main Man release is always full of surprises.

WebLinks: www.mainmanrecords.com

Music news: TWISTED SISTER Joined By EXTREME During ROCK OF AGES Performance; Video, Photos Available

From Blabbermouth.net:

Italian news blog Musica Metal has uploaded photos from the first edition of the Rock Of Ages festival, which was held yesterday (Saturday, September 13) in Milan, Italy.

Pictures of TWISTED SISTER, EXTREME, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED and THE QUIREBOYS can be viewed at this location.

According to Musica Metal, during the final song of TWISTED SISTER's set, "I Wanna Rock", the band was joined onstage by co-headliners EXTREME, who "bowed at the feet of Dee Snider and helped out with the choruses."

Fan-filmed video footage of the "I Wanna Rock" performance can be viewed on Blabbermouth.net (video shot and uploaded by Elia Alovisi, a.k.a. "NergalBehemoth").

Read more of "TWISTED SISTER Joined By EXTREME During ROCK OF AGES Performance; Video, Photos Available "...

Music news: Z Records sends free music to your e-mail!

Free rock MP3s? Who can say "no" to free rock MP3s? Z Records, one of Europe’s premiere hard and melodic rock record labels, is giving away free MP3s that will be sent directly to your e-mail address. You can get new rock music without lifting a finger. It’s much easier than saying “I want my MTV!” And unlike almost everything associated with MTV these days – you get to hear some new and possibly undiscovered music. Hear new music without having to turn on the radio, or search all over The Internet. The hard rock underground awaits!

Here's the announcement from the label:
"No your not dreaming, Z Records are giving away free music! What's the catch? There isnt one! We have decided to make one full track available per release via a special service to anyone who would like to sample our products. Simply send a email to zrockagency@zrecords.net with "I want free music from Z" in the subject line and we will send you free mp3's to delight your ears over the forthcoming winter. Lets face it, its an offer you simply cannot refuse so get emailing."

Music news: Warrant debuts new singer Robert Mason

Here's a review of singer Robert Mason's recent gig with Warrant. For those who don't know, singer Jani Lane is out of the band. Again. This is a pretty in-depth account of the concert. But be warned - it's sugar coated and kinda slanted.

From Metal Sludge Message Board:

WARRANT AND ALICE COOPER - PYSCHO DRAMA TOUR

Show Date: September 9, 2008
Location: Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.
Venue: Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
Reviewer: Randy James
Band Website: www.warrantweb.net - www.alicecooper.com

Well, where do I start? A lot has been said, written, filmed, etc about Warrant in the last couple of months (check the stories and reviews right here on Sleaze Roxx for example, and of course youtube). So, now knowing what we have heard, seen, and/or read...lets go back in time exactly 4 (not 40) days to be exact. Here is a quote on Sleaze Roxx from Warrant guitarist Erik Turner, "We are very excited that we have found an unbelievable voice in Robert Mason (Lynch Mob), an old friend of the band. We have three dates confirmed, come out and judge for yourself...we don't think you will be disappointed." I will get back to Erik's statement shortly, now, onto the review.

Summertime in Tucson is obviously very hot, we are in the desert after all, but it wasn't too bad this night (mid 80's at show time). I got to the venue around 7pm (if you're ever in Tucson and can see a show at Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater, I highly recommend it. It is a beautiful venue with great sound) and grabbed a soda and nachos and was prepared for the show. I never had the chance, be that good or bad, to see Warrant live before. So, on with the show! The house lights go black and a cool mix of Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba" and War's "Lowrider" prepares us for Warrant.

The band came out looking lean, fit and ready to kick some Arizona ass. The whole band looked really good (like they are in there mid 20's, but I am guessing they have to be in late 30's) as they started "Down Boys". I notice only four band members at first, but not for long as busting through the side curtain came new lead singer Robert Mason, looking young, energetic, confident and ready. The band kicks off the set and Robert begins to sing and I am thinking what the hell is going on here? This guy is singing strong and he is actually singing! Notes were in key and held longer and stronger than on album (I came home and plugged in my Warrant CD's to make sure) and by the end of "Down Boys" he already owned the crowd.

Next up was D.R.F.S.R. Going far left, then coming all the way right, using the stage like a personal playground, Robert's confidence was contagious. The front row was screaming and reaching out to him as he controlled the stage and once again his voice was dead on. Following D.R.F.S.R. was "So Damn Pretty", and I am getting redundant here but this guy has a gift! Geez, three songs into the show and I was thinking, why is the band smiling so much? Mason was working the whole stage and then came something new. He threw his microphone stand 15-20 feet in the air and 30 feet away to be caught by a roadie, amazing. The song ended and the Warrant boys looked happy as smiles filled up the stage (I didn't think I would see that after all I had read about the band lately).

Robert addressed the crowd with a 'glad to be in Tucson, thank you for coming out' and even said thank you to the 'lawn folk' as he called them, the fans seated way up in the lawn section, which was a very nice touch. Next up was "Heaven" which included incredible vocals by the whole band with Mason leading the way once again with his strong pipes. As "Heaven" ended, out of nowhere the mic stand came flying back to Warrant's new frontman, he caught it and made a cool spin to the front row without missing a beat. The band was flowing and tight for "32 Pennies" and everybody was working the stage. You would never have guessed that this was Warrant's first show with a new singer...errr, frontman.

During "Hole In My Wall" Mason got the crowd going as they pumped their fists with hair flying and began bouncing around just like him and the rest of the band. Up next was "I Saw Red", and ladies and gentlemen who are reading this, I truly wish you could have seen this. Mason was once again nailing every high note...just imagine sitting at home with headphones on, I was simply awestruck. He then asked the crowd to sing along and of course they followed his lead. Picking up the pace with "Sure Feels Good", again I swear, if I closed my eyes I would have thought I was listening to the CD at home.

The microphone stand went flying again and Robert was working every inch of the rather large stage along with his co-horts. Then it was onto my personal favorite, "Mr. Rainmaker". I am not a singer, but have heard enough albums and been to hundreds of shows, and I was thinking to myself that there was no way Mason could tag the high notes on this song. Wrong! He nailed them all, except with more sustain and substance, as it was absolutely amazing stuff.

Warrant's set ended with "Uncle Tom's Cabin". At this point I was noticing two very distinctive things about Warrant. That they did look happy and that Robert Mason is the best singer I have ever, and I mean EVER, seen live. He has great stage presence and is an awesome showman, a true frontman if there ever was one. Anyway, Mason got the whole crowd singing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (me included) and the song ended with him once again heaving his mic stand into the air and across the stage. The show ended and the band walked off stage smiling and exchanging high fives.

We all knew Warrant couldn't leave Tucson without some "Cherry Pie", so as the chants of 'WARRANT, WARRANT, WARRANT' rang through the amphitheater the band came out to huge applause. Robert grabbed the mic and thanked everyone for coming out on a hot Tuesday night. He thanked everyone from the front row to the people all the way in the back, a very nice and what seemed a real heartfelt appreciation for the fans Warrant finished up the set and I saw Jerry Dixon lean over to Erik Turner and say, "Robert is fucking amazing!!" And I must say Jerry that you are absolutely correct, you have got yourself one helluva showman, entertainer, frontman and a singer who sings better live than on albums. As I said before I have been to hundreds of concerts and have never seen any singer sound stronger live than on an album. Well, after witnessing Robert Mason in Warrant I can now say that I have.

So, in closing, Mr. Erik Turner, your quote of "we don't think you will be disappointed" is 100% correct. I came out, judged for myself, and concluded that Robert Mason is an absolutely great singer and I was not disappointed in the slightest. The new Warrant is a lean, mean, rock'n'roll machine, and I strongly urge you to see them when they come to your town. I think I might even spend the $500 or so dollars and see them in Maplewood, Minnesota, just so I can them as the headliner, doing a full set with their new singer...an absolutely phenomenal singer who also is an outstanding showman/frontman.

Read more of this review on Metal Sludge Message Board...

Music news: Jani Lane out of Warrant - AGAIN!

From BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

BLABBERMOUTH.NET has received the following statement from long-running California rockers WARRANT:

"It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that Jani Lane will no longer be performing with WARRANT.

"From the beginning of our reunion talks to the last note of our last show together in Houston this past weekend [on August 31 at the Rock The Bayou festival], we have had nothing but good intentions of bringing a quality original WARRANT show to our fans and friends.

"We wish Jani nothing but the best and remain friends.

"We are very excited that we have found an unbelievable voice in Robert Mason [LYNCH MOB], an old friend of the band. We have three dates confirmed, come out and judge for yourself… We don't think you will be disappointed!"

Upcoming WARRANT shows:

Sep. 09 - Tucson, AZ - Casino Del Sol (w/ ALICE COOPER)
Sep. 19 - Maplewood, MN - The Myth (w/ TRIXTER)
Oct. 17 - Tyler, TX - The Oil Palace (w/ QUEENSRŸCHE, KIP WINGER)

Music News: The Other Hair Metal Blog turns 100

100 posts - that is.

Whether you were screwed, blued or just part of a motley crew, love for the hard rock bands from the 80's remains today. Visit The Other Hair Metal Blog for some of the latest (but not so greatest) news from around this great big thing that we call "The 'Net."

So far, we've linked to articles about LA Guns, Queen, Kiss with Vinnie Vincent, Enuff Z'nuff, and dozens more hair metal, classic rock and hard rock bands from both yesterday and today. Stay tuned for additional content - original interviews, videos and unusual stories.

Where else can you read story about my cat Booger?

Music news: Slash fumes over leaked Guns n Roses songs

Feminists worldwide seem to be concerned about their Guns n Roses-related music news. Maybe they think Slash is really in touch with his feminine side? Or is "Nightrain" really inspired by Gloria Steinem? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

From FemaleFirst.co.uk. That right - "Female First."

Guns N' Roses star Slash hopes the man who allegedly streamed the band's new album on the internet "rots in jail".

Kevin Cogill has been arrested on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws by leaking the band's much-anticipated new album Chinese Democracy on his website.

Authorities claim he posted nine unreleased Guns N' Roses songs on Antiquiet.com in June (2008). The songs spread quickly across the Internet before Cogill removed them from his site.

And the band's former guitarist Slash is fuming.

Read more of Slash blasts album thief...

Why is he fuming? Because of Guns n Roses songs that have been leaked to the Internet? A band that he was practically forced out of?  Guess he doesn't hold a grudge against Axl! Here's the story about the savage "leaker"as posted on Metal Sludge.

FBI arrests man over leak of Guns N' Roses songs
LOS ANGELES - Aug. 27, 2008 (AP) -- Federal authorities say they have arrested a blogger suspected of streaming songs from Guns n' Roses unreleased album, "Chinese Democracy," on his Web site.

FBI agents arrested 27-year-old Kevin Cogill on Wednesday morning on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws. Federal authorities say Cogill posted nine unreleased Guns N' Roses songs on his Web site in June.

The songs were later removed.

According to an arrest affidavit, Cogill admitted to agents that he posted the songs on his Web site.

"Chinese Democracy" is a much anticipated — and repeatedly delayed — new album by Guns N' Roses that is more than 10 years in the making. When it comes out - I'll believe that it actually exists.

Read more of Metal Sludge's FBI arrests man over leak...

Music news: Queen + Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks

I imagine there will be a lot of discussion among Queen fans, Paul Rodgers fans and just about any serious music fan in general about the new offering from Queen + Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks. Let the debates begin. Coming to your favorite message/discussion board near you!

From Metal Sludge Message Board.

The Cosmos Rocks – what's it like? 

Here's the Clog's quickfire preview of the new Queen + Paul Rodgers album:

The Cosmos Rocks, while characterised by having Rodgers’s raw blues in place of Freddie’s flamboyance, is undisputedly the work of Queen.

Not only can The Cosmos Rocks sit proudly in the Queen canon, it can also do the same alongside Rodgers’s work with Free and Bad Company.

The intro to opening track Cosmos Rockin’ is a call to arms reminiscent of Brighton Rock, with chugging riffs that welcome you into a raucous, typically Queen rocker.

As the album unfolds it rapidly becomes clear that all the components of classic Queen are here.

It’s a work of extraordinary confidence, taking the band’s familiar blueprint and casually expanding it to encompass the organic blues and visceral soul of Paul Rodgers.

Overall The Cosmos Rocks has more than enough power to take your breath away. Freddie’s legacy is in safe hands.

* Read a full review of Queen’s The Cosmos Rocks in Classic Rock’s October issue (No.124), on sale Wednesday, September 17. The album is released two days before, on September 15.

and, according to Billboard.com.........

"Queen + Paul Rodgers have set an Oct. 28 U.S. release date for "The Cosmos Rocks," the band's first new album since 1995 and its first since Rodgers stepped in for the late Freddie Mercury in 2004.

The group has already debuted several of the new songs at shows and on TV, including first single "C-lebrity," which features vocals from Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, and "Say It's Not True," written in honor of Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS initiative.

The 14-track "The Cosmos Rocks" will also feature "Cosmos Rockin'," "Time To Shine," "Still Burnin'," "Small," "Warboys," "We Believe," "Call Me," "Voodoo," "Some Things That Glitter," "Through the Night" and "Surf's Up ... School's Out!"

"I think it touches a lot of emotions," Rodgers told Billboard.com recently of the album. "Every song is different from every other song, but I do think there is a very powerful emotional content in every song. I'm a great believer in variety in music, and so are the other guys."

After a pitch-modulated voice exclaims, "What planet is this?" opener "Cosmos Rockin'" blasts in with a handclap-bolstered beat and a peppy blues riff from guitarist Brian May. "Time To Shine" is an atmospheric rocker with an inspirational vocal ("Raise up your mind / It's time to shine"), while "Still Burning" is a swaggering rocker that nods to Rogers' tenure in Bad Company and Free.

Read more about The Cosmos Rocks on Metal Sludge...

Music news: Tesla guitarist Dave Rude to appear on "Hair Metal Haven"

From SleazeRoxx.com.

(August 31, 2008 ) On this week's edition of Hair Metal Haven, Chris Nelson will be chatting to Tesla Guitarist Dave Rude about his current solo release as well as Tesla's plans for the future.

So with all the brand new Melodic Rock & AOR album releases around at the moment, join Chris at the new time of 16.00-18.00 GMT/17.00-19.00 CET, Saturday 6th Sept only on www.rock247online.co.uk.

Tesla's brand new song, "I Wanna Live", from their upcoming CD Forever More can be heard at www.myspace.com/teslatheband.

Read more about Tesla on SleazeRoxx.com...

 

Music news: Gunfire at LA Guns concert

Guess the rock fans in Nebraska took the "guns" in L.A. Guns seriously. Thank goodness the band didn't name themselves "L.A. Bazookas."

From Sleazeroxx.com.

(September 1, 2008 ) Sleaze Roxx received the following short email tonight regarding L.A. Guns' latest live show: "Zach here from Omaha, Nebraska. I just got home from seeing L.A. Guns play and thought it might make an interesting story for you. Quite the night. The band was sounding great of course, when apparently a shooting broke out that pretty much forced the band to call it a night after playing probably only 5 or so songs."

L.A. Guns vocalist Phil Lewis posted the following blog about what happened at the show:

"Back at the hotel early tonight on account of our show getting abruptly shut down because of a gun fight erupting adjacent to the stage. Up until that point the day was peachy, county fair kind of thing. Kiddy rides, funnel cakes, etc in the parking lot of the Quest Center in Omaha, NB.

"We hit the stage at 10 pm and the place was rocking. All age gig, tons of kids up front, lots of fans that always show up whenever we play, great stage sound and lights. Perfect. Until I noticed during 'Over the edge', three songs in to our set, a stampede of at least a hundred people running through the crowd from right to left at full panic speed, closely followed by cops and security giving the cut throat stop the show signal. That took a moment to sink in before we quit playing and within seconds several cops with guns drawn formed a blanket around us and whisked us back to the dressing room."

Read more about gunfire at the LA Guns concert...

Music news: LA Guns releases live recording Hellraiser's Ball

Hellraiser’s Ball was originally released as a DVD in 2005, and features Kerri Kelli and Brent Muscat on guitars. It captures the spirit if Phil and Steve’s version of LA Guns, but I have recently seen a slightly better performance with Stacey Blades. But all in all – it's pretty good. Good to hear the band with two guitars. Well worth the $8.99.

Music news: Motley Crue releases uncensored video for the song "Mutherfucker of the Year"

Hey - when in doubt, I guess music marketers and musicians still like to shock and awe the audience with some sex, boobs, violence and/or some good ol' rock n' roll spirit (i.e. fire, drinking, drugs, groupies, trashing hotel rooms). Motley Crue has recently released an uncensored video for their new single, "Mutherfucker of the Year."  Cute title. What? "Animal Necrophilia" is too tasteless?

Congrats to Sixx for being in two bands that have used the word "fuck" in song titles this century (see - Brides of Deconstruction).

Music news: Music marketing 101

This is great marketing. God bless the Butt Plugs.

Music news: Vinnie Vincent tribute - KISS MY ANKH

Posted on the Metal Sludge message board.

On the eve of the release of its much-anticipated tribute album "KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent," SplitScreen Entertainment has answered many of fans' frequently asked questions about the project. The album features performances by members of White Lion, Savatage, Alice Cooper, Trixter, Nitro and many others, samples of which can be heard at the official "KISS MY ANKH" MySpace page. The album is scheduled for release on August 27th. A few excerpts from the Q&A follow:

MySpace http://www.myspace.com/KissMyAnkh 

SplitScreen Entertainment: We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Vinnie Vincent and Kiss fans from around the world who have written in with their questions, comments and feedback. We've been completely overwhelmed by response to this project and we apologize for not being able to reply to your inquiries individually. Rest assured, we have read them all and we hope this FAQ section will answer any questions you may still have about the tribute. Overall, we're extremely pleased that so many of you are looking forward to "KISS MY ANKH" and we can't wait for you to finally hear it! Now on to your questions...

Question: What compelled you to produce a Vinnie Vincent tribute album?

SplitScreen Entertainment: Without a doubt, this is the question we are asked most often. Admittedly, Vinnie Vincent is not the most obvious candidate for a tribute album. For that matter, he's not even the most likely member of Kiss. If anything, Vinnie Vincent is the black sheep of the Kiss family and he's become something of a polarizing figure over the years. While some absolutely despise the man, others consider him a true guitar hero.

Yet love him or hate him, Vinnie Vincent never fails to be a topic of discussion amongst music fans the world over. The longest-running thread at the official ESP Guitars message board is a tribute to Vinnie Vincent, with some 2,000 replies and 60,000 views. There are also regular Vinnie Vincent debates at the infamous Metal Sludge Gossip Board. There are multiple Vinnie Vincent tribute pages at MySpace and Vinnie Vincent video clips routinely rack up tens of thousands of plays at YouTube. There is even a thriving fan community at VinnieVincent.com. In fact, a casual inspection of virtually any Kiss or hard rock forum will produce evidence that Vinnie Vincent is alive and well in the hearts and minds of his fans. Even though Vinnie has had very little creative output over the last 20 years, he has nonetheless left a lasting impression that lingers in his absence.

Interestingly, despite his virtual disappearance from the scene in recent years, Vinnie Vincent has retained a simmering fan base itching for something new. Their situation is not unlike that of Guns N' Roses fans, who have been waiting nearly 15 years for the release of "Chinese Democracy." In that respect, Vinnie could even be seen as the poor man's Axl Rose. Though fans may plead for the faintest glimmer that new material is on the horizon, they subsist on naught but the occasional leaked demo while the artist himself remains in relative seclusion. That being the case, if Vinnie Vincent is unable or unwilling to release a new album on his own, it falls to his fans to do it for him. This is where "KISS MY ANKH" fits into the equation.

We realized we'd tapped into something significant soon after announcing the album, when we began receiving inquiries from artists wishing to be involved. Literally dozens upon dozens of hopefuls contacted us about appearing on the tribute, citing their admiration of the man and their appreciation for his body of work. All of this is testament to the fact that Vinnie Vincent's music still means a lot to a lot of people. In addition to his notoriety as a singular shredder, Vinnie is a master at crafting compelling melodies with outrageous yet elegant lyrical content. Like the ankh itself (the Egyptian symbol of life everlasting), Vinnie Vincent is a creative force whose contributions live on more than a quarter-century after his initial emergence.

Though Kiss tribute albums have already been done to death, our more unorthodox approach seemed like a cool way of doing something new and different with the concept. Plus we had a funny title and we knew that Vinnie himself would appreciate the additional shot of income that sales of the album would generate. It is for all of these reasons, in addition to the motivating factors cited above, that SplitScreen Entertainment chose to produce "KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent."

Question: Aren't most tributes to individual artists released after the artist is dead?

SplitScreen Entertainment: Good point. True, Vinnie Vincent is not dead. At least we don't think he is. We certainly hope he's not! But since his career has been all but non-existent for the past decade, we figure the time is right to pay tribute to the music he created during his time in the spotlight.

Question: Why aren't there more famous musicians on the tribute?

SplitScreen Entertainment: Unlike the star-studded tribute albums that have become commonplace in recent years, "KISS MY ANKH" was never intended to feature big-name talent. Our original plan was to showcase a cross-section of Vinnie Vincent material recorded by real Vinnie Vincent fans. The fact that we ended up having a few names on board came as an added bonus, which has in turn helped draw attention to the project. In fact, the more awareness we received, the more name musicians came forward as big Vinnie Vincent fans, asking to be involved! We actually had to turn down 2 or 3 of them because they simply came to us too late!

Beyond the involvement of said name musicians, the roster for "KISS MY ANKH" consists primarily of rising talent we've had the pleasure of working with over the past few years; artists who have established themselves in their respective scenes and who are deserving of exposure to a wider audience. We're proud to say that each and every one of them delivered the goods on this tribute and we could not be happier with the lineup we've assembled.

Question: Why isn't my favorite Vinnie Vincent song on the tribute?

SplitScreen Entertainment: To be sure, Vinnie Vincent wrote a lot of great songs and any compilation of his work will invariably leave off material that deserves to be included. In the case of "KISS MY ANKH," we wanted to present highlights from throughout Vinnie's career. With essentially 5 albums from which to choose (3 with Kiss and 2 with the Vinnie Vincent Invasion), we decided upon a format of 2 tracks from each, assembled in chronological order. As such, we ended up with a healthy mix of well-known Vinnie Vincent favorites alongside a few lesser-known gems that we felt deserved a fresh listen. We shied away from material from the Treasure album and Vinnie's "Euphoria" EP, primarily because we felt the material might be a bit too obscure for the casual fan. For similar reasons, we chose not to include any of his collaborations with other artists like Dan Hartman or The Bangles. In the end, "KISS MY ANKH" stands as a representative sampling of Vinnie's mainstream catalog... the "Vintage Vincent," if you will.

Question: Why does my favorite Vinnie Vincent song sound so different?

SplitScreen Entertainment: When compiling the talent roster for "KISS MY ANKH," we made the conscious decision to not dictate style or form to our contributors. We simply picked the artists we felt were up to the challenge of doing the material justice and then let them make their own creative choices. Some chose to remain faithful to the source material, with a few taking great pains to preserve the sound and feel of the originals. Others chose to come up with their own unique interpretations, ranging from acoustic to industrial to death metal... and even a hilarious song parody roasting a member of the extended Kiss family! Ultimately, "KISS MY ANKH" is meant to pay tribute to Vinnie Vincent both as gifted songwriter and influential musician, so hopefully there will be something for everyone on the album.

Question: Why didn't you include covers of any of the unreleased Vinnie Vincent demos that have been floating around for years?

SplitScreen Entertainment: Unfortunately, those songs were simply not available to us. Though it would have been cool to present some of Vinnie's unreleased material in the form of new recordings, the nature of song licensing does not really allow for this. In that same vein, the licensing process for the music Vinnie composed for the "Joanie Loves Chachi" TV series would have been similarly prohibitive... not that there was any great demand for that material in the first place, of course.

Question: Where did the title "KISS MY ANKH" come from?

SplitScreen Entertainment: The title was actually something our executive producer came up with while attending a Vinnie Vincent Q&A in 1996 at the annual NY/NJ Kiss Expo. Vinnie was on stage, answering fans' questions and commenting on his upcoming projects, including plans to write an autobiography. When asked by an audience member if he had a title in mind, Vinnie stated that he did not yet have one. At which point, perhaps inspired by the official Kiss tribute album "Kiss My Ass," our producer blurted out his own suggestion, "Kiss My Ankh!" Everybody laughed, including Vinnie himself, and our producer wisely tucked away the phrase for future use. It wasn't until late last year that it finally occurred to him to utilize it as the title of a Vinnie Vincent tribute album... an idea that came to him one night while taking his girlfriend's dog for a walk! Parading the pooch is not one of his favorite activities so he tends to do a lot of creative thinking to pass the time. He had been trying to come up with a tribute album concept that would be at once very cool yet also somewhat obscure. Thankfully for the many Vinnie Vincent fans around the world, he nixed his original idea of doing a glam rock tribute to Manowar!

Question: Is there any significance to the cover art?

SplitScreen Entertainment: For "KISS MY ANKH," we very much wanted the cover to be a visual expression the album concept. Toward that end, we incorporated the ankh symbol itself, along with additional nods to the Egyptian theme of Vinnie's Kiss character. We chose to utilize the ankh in much the same way as the metallic letter V seen on the Vinnie Vincent Invasion album covers, where it is depicted as a big, iconic symbol floating in the sky. It was this motif that we attempted to incorporate into our own album cover, replacing the V with a metallic ankh.

Interestingly, in an old issue of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion fan club newsletter, Vinnie claimed that he liked to envision the band as having come from the future! As such, their album covers would embody this forward-thinking sensibility. In our case, since we're digging through the past and mining Vinnie's rich treasure trove of recorded material, our depiction of an ancient landscape (complete with hovering symbol) would seem to be a logical extension of this philosophy.

As a comedic tip of the cap to longtime Vinnie Vincent fans, we even briefly toyed with the notion of offering a special "Archive Edition" of "KISS MY ANKH," released on audiocassette and shipped in an empty paint can... although we later thought better of the idea!

Question: Is there any significance to the August 6th pre-order date?

SplitScreen Entertainment: August 6th is Vinnie's birthday. Happy birthday, dude! We hope you like your present!

Question: Have you heard from Vinnie Vincent or any members of the Invasion?

SplitScreen Entertainment: We were actually delighted to receive a MySpace friend request from original Invasion vocalist Robert Fleischman! All of us behind the scenes have a tremendous appreciation for Robert's contributions to the Vinnie Vincent Invasion so it was very cool to find out that our project was on his radar. Robert's successor Mark Slaughter and drummer Bobby Rock are also now MySpace friends, but that's been the extent of our contact with the band. Hopefully all the Invasion members know that we have the utmost respect and admiration for the work they did 20 years ago and we hope to do them proud with our new project.

Question: Where is Vinnie Vincent today and what has he been doing in recent years?

SplitScreen Entertainment: Surely the most fascinating aspect of producing our tribute to Vinnie Vincent has been encountering all the rumors that have circulated in his absence. The big question on everyone's mind seems to be... where in the world is Vinnie Vincent? Has he moved to Tennessee and retired from the music business? Is he now a chef running a restaurant in Connecticut? Has he had a sex change and is he living his life as woman? Despite the many and varied possible explanations for his recent low profile, Vinnie himself has yet to come forward to substantiate any of them. If anybody does know what Vinnie is up to these days, they're certainly not talking. Seemingly the last known public appearance of Vinnie Vincent was via a photograph taken to promote his limited edition autographed prints for the now-defunct KissWorld store in December 2004. Ever since then, despite sporadic rumors and the occasional court case, the man has been completely out of the public eye. If anyone out there has information as to Vinnie's current whereabouts, feel free to drop us a line because we'd like to send him a copy of the album for his birthday.

We hope that Vinnie is well, we hope he is happy and like the rest of his fans, we hope he is still pursuing his passion for music. Perhaps with a bit of good fortune, Vinnie Vincent will one day return to rock the world again.

The complete track listing for "KISS MY ANKH: A Tribute To Vinnie Vincent" is as follows:

1. Killer - DoubleVirgo
2. I Still Love You - Gods of Fire
3. Lick It Up - Future 86
4. A Million To One - Steve Brown
5. Boyz Are Gonna Rock - Mike Weeks (with Andre LaBelle and T.J. Racer)
6. Back on the Streets - Jazan Wild
7. That Time of Year - Sheldon Tarsha, Ryan Roxie, Marko Pukkila, Troy Patrick Farrell
8. Love Kills - Vic Rivera / Kelli McCloud
9. Unholy - Curse God and Die
10. I Just Wanna - The Dead Zoo Keepers
11. Ted Poley (parody of Unholy) - C.C. Banana (with Banana 7, featuring Chris Caffery)

Further details can be found at the SplitScreen Entertainment website.

http://www.SplitScreenEntertainment.com

Music news: Top hair metal guitar gods

A very tough subject. And open to a lot of debate. But dammit - someone stepped forward and did it. Here they are - The Top 10 Hair Metal Guitar Gods.  Vito Bratta (White Lion), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Scotti Hill and Dave "Snake" Sabo (Skid Row), John Norum (Europe), Dan Wexler (Icon), Vinnie Vincent (Kiss, Vinnie Vincent Invasion), Reb Beach (Winger), Ronnie Le Tekro (TNT), and Carey Howe, Geoff Gayer, and Michael Olivieri (Letherwolf). I think that I actually count more than 10, but I've been drinking. A pretty cool article no matter what!

From IGN.com.

August 27, 2008 - The hair metal era of hard-rock is one that many fans and even some of the bands would rather forger. But not IGN! No, we rather highlight some of the period's better moments and highlight them from time to time. After all, bigger selling bands like Staind, Avenged Sevenfold, and HIM wouldn't be here without the blend of pop hooks and metal tattooed guitars that a lot of the band's from this much maligned scene helped create.

IGN has compiled a list of ten guitarists from the time period that you should give a listen to. In the lineup, you'll find plenty of guys who helped destroy the ozone layer with the copious amounts of hair spray they used but they still somehow found enough time to help create a unique and vital style of guitar playing. So take a few minutes and check out some of our picks for guitarists from the hair metal school that deserve your attention.

Read more about and watch videos featuring The Top 10 Hair Metal Guitar Gods...

Music news: David Coverdale talks about his career and working with Jimmy Page

Goldmine.com interviewed David Coverdale about his 30-plus years in rock n' roll. From Deep Purple to Whitesnake to working with Jimmy Page, Ol' Cov reflects back on the good times and maybe even the not so good.

Here's what he says about working with Jimmy Page.

From Goldmine.com.

It has been suggested that Led Zeppelin should say goodbye to Robert Plant and just tour with Coverdale at the helm. The thought draws an amused chortle from the Whitesnake frontman, who revealed that Page recently saw him perform and came backstage to say hello.

“He said, ‘I wish we did more together again,’” said Coverdale. “I said, ‘Don’t worry.’ I was delighted with what we did. It was an honor and privilege to work with one of my heroes, and [who] now is one of my dearest friends, who I love and adore and support.”

Would he ever collaborate with the legendary Zeppelin guitarist ever again? “Who knows, who knows?” pondered Coverdale. “It took a year to write and record that [Coverdale-Page] project; probably less time, practical work, on the Good To Be Bad record. I’m 57 in September. To take another year out when I could be working live… Physically, I’m really at the top of my game now. My assistant is a first-class masseuse. My wardrobe girl is a masseuse. I just take care of myself as much as I can, or I’m taken care of. I’m never going to be f**king wheeled out there, baby. God willing, I’ll step down before that shit. But for me to turn around and commit to a project, it would have to be a very, very rewarding scenario.”

When asked about the biggest life lessons he has learned, Coverdale sighs and jovially replies, “These are impossible questions. The best life lesson I can tell anybody is balance. That’s the best thing I can offer. That and a great lawyer and a great accountant. And a great woman in your life. It took me a few tries, but I’m absolutely, utterly blessed with my dear wife. I have it all, babe. I’m the luckiest bastard I know.”

Read the entire Goldmine article about David Coverdale...

Music news: Ted Poley and Andy Timmons touring South America

Ted Poley and Andy Timmons from Danger Danger get "Naughty Naughty" again. And they head to South America to do it!

From Melodicrock.com.

Press Release / Ted Poley and Andy Timmons Touring Together for the first time in over 15 years!
Original Danger Danger lead singer Ted Poley and original guitarist Andy Timmons have teamed up for a set of very special shows in South America! The shows are being planned for November in Brazil and possibly some other countries in South America. Promoters are currently confirming the exact dates of 2 shows, in Rio De Janiero and Sao Paulo, and are adding more cities, to be announced as each one is confirmed. Show dates and locations will be posted on both Ted and Andy's MySpace pages and websites as they are confirmed.

Ted Poley On How The Tour Came About: "The last time I was doing a solo tour in Brazil, a longtime D2 fan approached me on the streets of Sao Paulo, and he told me that he had been to an Andy Timmons guitar clinic and had a chance to speak with Andy, so he asked Andy "Why don't you ever tour with Ted?" and Andys very cool answer was "because he never asked me to". "Good point" I thought, but I also figured that even if it was a true story, Andy's reply was probably a brilliant and very polite way for Andy to dismiss the idea without disappointing a fan, which I know he would never do. The idea seemed almost impossible, but I couldn't resist even the smallest chance to make a dream come true, so I contacted Andy and asked him if he would like to play together in Brazil and he said YES! I couldn't be more excited, this is going to be FUN!"

Andy Timmons On Being Asked To Do Play With Ted Again: "Hey Andy, want to play some concerts in South America with your band and then do a set of Danger Danger tunes with Ted?" Um, let me think about it (two seconds pass...) Sure...let's do it! I'm really looking forward to playing in Brazil for all the crazy fans who really appreciate guitar and love Danger Danger. Ted and I haven't played together in 15 years so this should be a blast. Ted has a rare gift: a completely unique and original voice and I'm looking forward to hearing his magic again."

Ted Poley On Playing With Andy Again: "I am very excited to be playing with Andy again for this special tour, and especially to see his own band in action. Just to watch him play up close is such a privilege, its like watching a Miracle in progress! And when we combine forces onstage to play the classics i am going to have the best seat in the house. I have been dreaming about this reunion for almost 20 years."

Bruno Ravel AND Steve West's Thoughts About The Tour: "We would love to come to Brazil someday soon as Danger Danger, but we are busy locked up in the studio completing the new D2 cd! We wish Ted and Andy the best on the tour and are happy that they are out there keeping the Danger Danger music alive and STILL KICKIN! We are both looking forward to getting out there again as Danger Danger and playing live together with Rob Marcello (current D2 guitarist) and Ted at Firefest!"

Click here for full size promo.

Music news: Hair Metal vs. Grunge; Just Who Survived

Here's a pretty cool essay about the survival..well resurgence..of hair metal bands. Written in 2005, and from the website RetroJunk.com.

"Hair Metal was a fad. Even its most loyal fans couldn’t have ever expected the genre to continue in the mainstream, chart-topping format that it had held in 80’s America. It’s a well-known saying that too much of anything is bad for you and this was definitely true of the bands that had originally received fame on the LA circuit. Hair Metal was so in tune with the 80’s that even the bands who had hit the big time in that decade found it hard to even chart their material in the 90’s. An article in Q Magazine once said that its ‘readers’ taught Kurt Cobain’s greatest achievement was destroying Hair Metal. It seems that the ignorance of the Grunge era is not yet dead completely when we read this statement, because we wonder why the supposed readers had no time to take into account the changing political climate (the fall of the Soviet Union), the reinvention of MTV and Beavis and Butthead, an animated cartoon series about two college students who would sit on a couch and comment on the latest music videos, with their next door neighbour being portrayed as an uncool kid that wore a Winger T-Shirt! But I suppose if you were the kind of person who got down to a song like Poison’s ‘Nothing But a Good Time’ in 1988, you’d hardly have taken a fancy to Nirvana’s ‘Rape Me’ in 1992."

"But we’re in 2005 now, and both decades have ended. And if you look around (and I mean look beyond the obvious), you’ll start noticing that Hair Metal is still there. The bands still release the albums, the groups still perform the tour and the records still ascend the charts. But try looking for Grunge. Try looking for Grunge past bands like Nickelback and Staind, past yet another Nirvana ‘Greatest Hits Compilation’ and you’ll start to notice something. Grunge is gone, Grunge is dead. Sure Grunge has helped influence some of the most successful rock groups of the late 90’s and early 00’s, but it hasn’t actually succeeded in doing what it was created to do, eliminating the bands with the big mullets and the leather pants. Some Hair Metal bands remerged from the woodwork in the mid 90’s, noticing that their biggest enemy had vanished and they were free to sell records again. In fact, while Nirvana fans may be so bold to claim that Cobain killed Hair Metal, music fans might admit that the real truth is simply that Cobain just stalled Hair Metal and actually killed Grunge (as well as himself!). Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins once said, ‘Kurt’s death seemed to take the wind out of everyone’s sails’ and in retrospect, perhaps this is the most truthful statement that has ever been made about Grunge."

"But before we can examine why Hair Metal has seemed to survive Grunge, we must examine the truth behind why Hair Metal succeeded in becoming such a popular movement in the first place. The truth of the matter is that Hair Metal artists were serious musicians. Songs in the 80’s required more power to perform so there was more virtuoso. The 80’s were all about excelling to the next level, where as the 90’s seemed focused on self-pity and it became uncool to do nothing more then stand and play on stage. Now, I understand that Grunge fans will feel that this is an ignorant statement, but lets be fair, because asides from Alice in Chains who used odd time signatures to a creative effect, there wasn’t much going for Grunge. Take the example of when Def Leppard performed live unplugged on an American radio station, singing in harmony. The DJ said, ‘That was incredible’, to which Joe replied: ‘you must be a product of the nineties. There is nothing incredible about three guys singing in tune.’ "

Read more of Hair Metal vs. Grunge; Just Who Survived ...

Music news: White Lion's Return of the Pride

White Lion roars back with a new release. Listen to sound samples at MelodicRock.com.

From Top-40 Charts.com.

LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ King Japan Records) - From the smoldering embers of '80s rebellion rock, White Lion rises again with Return of the Pride, their first studio album in sixteen years.

Fronted by original lead singer/songwriter Mike Tramp, this new collection of songs was created by a superior line-up of seasoned musicians and boasts the traditional sound that made White Lion a staple of the hard rock scene.

Produced by Tramp, and bassist Claus Langeskov, Return of the Pride highlights the band's seductive charisma and will see them take hold of old and new fans alike.

Return of the Pride is simultaneously a party, and a nostalgic shot through the heart. Tracks such as 'Set Me Free' and 'Gonna Do It My Way' are classic fist-pumping rock anthems, and the musical gem 'Never Let You Go' evokes a haunting, raw emotion that brings listeners back to the era of the big rock ballad.

Read more of "White Lion releases new CD 'Return Of The Pride'"...

Music news: Big hair = big strength!

Apparently, hair metal equates to abnormal super-strength and abilities. Who need a cape when you have eyeliner and Aqua Net?

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Music news: Alice Cooper is still scary

From Cincinnati.com.

It’s pretty hard to scare Alice Cooper. The grease-painted hard rocker, who almost single-handedly invented the concept of theatrical rock extravaganzas has been kissing snakes, singing hymns to darkness and dropping the blade on his onstage guillotine for more than 30 years.

On his 25th studio album, the recently released “Along Came A Spider,” the 60-year-old rocker, born Vincent Furnier, cooks up another of his signature concept albums, this one told from the chilling perspective of an “arachnophobic psychopath” serial killer named “Spider,” who stalks, traps and dismembers his victims with cruel efficiency. That is, until he meets, and falls in love with what might be his final victim, who he cannot see fit to murder. Then again, in classic Cooper style, maybe the whole horrifying thing is just a figment of the incarcerated Spider’s twisted imagination … or is it?

From the signature hit “I’m Eighteen” to the summertime classic “School’s Out,” Cooper is responsible for some of the most indelible hard rock songs of the 1970s, but his influence as an inveterate showman and creative live performer might be even more long-lasting than his musical impact. Cooper says his theatricality is the result of a childhood spent watching every cheap horror movie he could get his hands on and the early realization that a bit of fright mixed with a good laugh is guaranteed to keep people in their seats.

Q: This album is a bit of a homecoming for you, isn’t it, considering your high school band was named the Spiders?

A: It’s a total coincidence. It didn’t occur to me when we were putting it together, but that was part of us even back in those days. We came out as the Spiders and we had this day-glo web behind us that we thought was so cool and which was theatrical for those days. There was never a time when our show wasn’t theatrical. At that time there were bands who really put on a show like the Who and the Rolling Stones … but after that there were no bands that did anything. I looked around and said, ‘we have a world of Peter Pans and no Captain Hooks!’ I said I’d gladly be Captain Hook.

Q: Were you a theater geek in high school?

A: I was the Ferris Bueller of my high school … I ran that school. I grew up with television and movies. Every Saturday, we’d get dropped off and watch three or four really stupid movies in a row. Our babysitters were television and the movies, so once I became the lead vocalist of a band I drew on that and I wanted to create a character that when he walked in the room everyone was a bit stunned.

Q: Over the years, were there any ideas for bloody stage bits that you deemed to be too over the top?

A: My rule was if it was going to be horror, it had to have a punchline. My show is not just all blood and guts. It’s always leading up to some punch line to relieve you with. Alice might slit a throat, but then he’ll slip on a banana peel. It you don’t have that Vaudevillian attitude … if everything is scary, nothing is scary.

Read more of Alice Cooper - Still Scary...

Music news: Whitesnake is still "Good To Be Bad"

From Popmatters.com.

"It’s very butch. Very muscular…” says David Coverdale about the first Whitesnake album in 11 years. Pause for a while and take that in.

The endless 25th anniversary reunion of the masters of hairspray metal is into its sixth year and has spawned Good To Be Bad. Coverdale & Co. are not known for releasing groundbreaking material so one might be forgiven for expecting no surprises on first listen. One would be wrong. The biggest surprise is that it is not a bad record. Sure, it is full of double entendre-fueled cock rock, but as far that oeuvre goes this is a pretty respectable example.

Read more about Whitesnake's "Good To Be Bad"...

 

Music news: Def Leppard Launches "ROCKZIMITY MARKETING" on August 23rd

From TradingMarkets.com.

NEW YORK, NY, Aug 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Def Leppard proves once again they are pioneers not only in music, but now, as leaders in the digital age, through a strategic partnership with Mobile Marketing Firm Ace Marketing & Promotions Inc. On August 23rd at the group's concert in Detroit, MI at the Joe Louis Arena, Def Leppard will introduce their "ROCKZIMITY MARKETING," a Bluetooth & Wi-Fi proprietary marketing technology, only from ACE Marketing & Promotions Inc. Ace Marketing will power the delivery of exclusive content direct to the fans of Def Leppard, via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled "Hot Spots" at the show.

For the first time ever in an arena environment Def Leppard fans will be "Welcomed to the Sparkle Lounge" upon walking through the main entrance of Joe Louis Arena. They also can get a message that enables them to "Win A Trip To The Sparkle Lounge" after the show. Fans will also receive select discounts on merchandise adding a third layer of value for the Def Leppard fan.

Def Leppard lead singer, Joe Elliott, said of the program, "You have to differentiate your music in today's industry and how you introduce things to your audience. This is the direction for the future of the way fans connect with artists, it also adds another dimension to our live performance by getting the fans involved from the moment they walk though the door -- literally."

Read more of Def Leppard Launches "ROCKZIMITY MARKETING" on August 23rd...

Music news: Wal-Mart to sell new AC/DC album exclusively

What's a rock band to do? By making an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart, AC/DC is making sure that their new music receives guaranteed shelf space. Although digital music sales seem to really be the future - if not the present - shelf space is hard to come by. Wal-Mart also reaches into the small and medium markets which may have a stronger classic rock fan base than many of the larger markets in the United States. And you can't forget the publicity. The general word-of-mouth that is created by this move is free advertising. In this day and age, that is more important than ever. It’s not like every radio station in America is eager to jump on AC/DC’s new music any way.

From Marketwatch.com.

Wal-Mart Inc. said rock band AC/DC will sell its new album exclusively at namesake and Sam's Club locations in the U.S.  The move - which makes the veteran rockers the latest artist to sell a new album only through Wal-Mart - highlights the company's growing music-industry clout. The AC/DC deal, however, comes at a time when the retail giant - the largest seller of compact discs in the nation - is signaling that it may rock the music world by stocking fewer CDs. Such a move is part of a trend that would further accelerate the already-steep decline of CD sales as consumers make the transition to digital music.

The album, called "Black Ice," will be available at the discount retailer's stores and Web sites Oct. 20, as well as on the band's Web site. It is AC/DC's first album of all-new material in eight years and will be priced at $11.88.

The AC/DC arrangement aims to replicate a successful strategy recently used by fellow classic rockers the Eagles and Journey, both of whom in recent months have sold new albums exclusively at Wal-Mart. The Eagles' "Long Road Out of Eden" was the third-best selling album of 2007. Such deals exemplify the kind of special treatment Wal-Mart increasingly seeks - and receives - from artists and record labels alike. These constituencies are willing to risk their relationships with competing retailers to keep Wal-Mart happy.

Unlike the Eagles or Journey, AC/DC is under contract to a major record label, Sony BMG's Columbia Records, which brokered the pact with Wal-Mart and also will benefit from sales there. Columbia's decision to sell a major new release at only one chain has the potential to alienate retailers left out. One competitor unlikely to complain is Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) digital iTunes store, where AC/DC never has made its music available.

Wal-Mart is expected to pull out the stops to promote the AC/DC album, the band's 16th studio release. Such a push - including prominent displays of CDs in stores and heavy advertising - could yield blockbuster sales, in an environment in which blockbusters are increasingly rare.

Wal-Mart said it will join with Columbia Records to launch "multiple activities for fans," including new product features and promotions this fall "that will bring fans closer to one of history's greatest rock bands."

Read more of Wal-Mart to sell new AC/DC album exclusively...

Music news: Is 'Guitar Hero' saving rock 'n' roll?

Modern rock radio is a fragmented mess. MTV quit caring about music years ago. Did satellite radio really blast off? Reality TV is making Bret Michaels a household name again, but beyond helping attendence on Poison's yearly nostalgia tour, are people buying his new music? Probably not. Guitar Hero and Rock Band are saving rock music? Oh, please! Sad but true.

From CNN.com.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Metallica's Lars Ulrich loves Black Sabbath and Deep Purple -- and so does his 10-year-old son. Ulrich may have played songs from those old rock bands around the house on his stereo, but he gives credit for his son's excitement to another source: video games.

Myles Ulrich is a fan of games such as "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," which have spawned a comeback for rock music.

"It's a cool generational thing to share that with your kids," said Ulrich, the drummer for the multi-platinum quartet. "My [son's] favorite bands are ... the same bands that are my favorite bands -- the bands I grew up on."

A few years ago, rock music was struggling on the charts. With hip-hop and teen pop ruling, rock was finding it hard to break through with new music -- or sell more of the old.

But "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" have prompted kids born in the '90s to discover artists from the '70s and '80s such as Aerosmith, Twisted Sister and Pat Benatar. The games' amazing popularity -- last year, the two brought in more than $935 million in revenue, according to the NPD Group market research company -- has helped create success in other markets, according to observers.

Read more of Is 'Guitar Hero' saving rock 'n' roll?...

Music news: Take the hair metal challenge...

From EW.com.

So how well do you know your 80's metal and rock? Can you name the band from looking at these press photos even though the faces are blurred out? I know there are some fellow metal lovin' geeks out there. Don't be shy!

Take the hair metal challenge...

Music news: How the '80s hair metal band Motley Crue made it big - again

Motley Crue is back with a new release - Saints of Los Angeles. Expecting it to be as good as anything this rock band had previously put out until 1990 is unrealistic. But can the average fan expect a solid effort? Yes. Saints of Los Angeles is Motley Crue sounding ready and real. But not old.

From CollegeTimes.com.

Mötley Crüe’s newest album debuted in the Billboard Chart’s top five, and the band is out on a wildly successful national tour. One might think it was 1986, if only for the fact that a big chunk of the Crüe’s newest fan-base wasn’t even born then.

“If you stick around long enough, people tend to re-discover you,” Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx says. “I remember about six or seven years ago, I was at a mall and I must have seen about 20 kids with Mötley Crüe’s t-shirts on. And it just kind of reinvents itself.”

The newest reinvention of the band is really a reformation: the new record Saints of Los Angeles is the first to feature the original lineup in over a decade. “We want to be together,” says lead guitarist Mick Mars. “We’ve set out to be together since day one. There’s a lot of bands that have been together for three, four, five years and they’ve done their run. We’re one of the kind of bands that keep going, and changing, and keeping up with the times. Like the Stones, Aerosmith or U2, bands like that.”

But Mötley Crüe won’t change so much to the point of losing its edge, Sixx says, and the thought-process in producing the incessantly dirty Saints of Los Angeles is proof.

“Mick just said, ‘I want to hear a lot of guitars, and I want to hear snotty lyrics,’” Sixx says. “And I was like, ‘exactly where I’m coming from, dude.’ I don’t want loops and samples and beats. You know, I don’t want to be Nine Inch Nails, I don’t want to be Jay Z or Rage Against the Machine, I don’t want to be Gwen Stefani. I don’t want to be over thought and over processed. Me and Mick just said, ‘We just fuckin’ want to sound like Mötley Crüe.’ And that’s what we did. And that’s easy.”

Read more of How The '80s Hair Metal Band Made It Big - Again...

Music news: Anyone remember Kings of the Sun?

It seems that 411mania.com's Dan Halen and I share the same opinion. Anyone remember "you better watch out for the serpentinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeee...?" If you do, then you are probably like a handful of music fans that can recall Kings of the Sun. A straight ahead rock band that didn't quite visually fit in with the Poisons and Warrants of the day, Kings of the Sun played it hard and simple. Kinda like Junkyard. But with an Aussie point of view.

From 411mania.com (an Austrailian website).

"Kings Of The Sun - An Australian band somewhat modeled after AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and Cold Chisel, KOTS put out three albums in the late 80s/early 90s. Fronted by brothers Jeffrey Hoad on vocals and Cliff Hoad on drums, KOTS had the same snotty sound and attitude as their influences. Their music was a cross between stomping riff-based bar rockers and high-speed but simplistic metal ably propelled by Cliff's over-the-top, Keith Moon style of drumming. They had moderate touring success supporting well-known bands and even had Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Led Zep) produce their first album. Their downfall began when they supported Guns N' Roses in Sydney and Jeff managed to pull a Jim Morrison by dropping his pants in front of the crowd and then proceeded to bad-mouth Axl and company, causing the Aussies to turn on the band. After that, they never recovered publicly but they still tour in Australia from time to time. All the albums are out of print, but worth seeking out, especially the self-titled first album."

Music news: Extreme reunion. Extreme made over!

They said it would never happen! But if The Eagles can reunite, then any band can. Extreme quietly got back together (in my opinion) and started touring again during the summer of 2008. A new album, "Saudades de Rock", is available now.

From Boston.com:

TEWKSBURY - Tucked into a nondescript building at the end of an unassuming dirt road off Main Street, past a rural tableau of dilapidated barns and highway farm stands, one of the biggest-selling rock bands of the 1990s is limbering up.

"Well, that's all right, mama, that's all right for you," Gary Cherone sings as he loosens his lungs to the opening lines of Elvis Presley's rockabilly-flavored oldie. "That's all right mama, just any way you do."

Standing in the middle of a plushly carpeted rehearsal room, the once and future frontman for Extreme is dressed in a tight black T-shirt and black cargo pants, his short hair dyed gold. He's about to turn 47, yet he's still sinewy and absurdly lean some 23 years after his band first began playing dive bars in Somerville and Allston.

A few feet away, Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, nursing a fever but still looking every inch the darkly cool rock star, plugs his electric guitar into a shoulder-high Marshall amplifier and begins adjusting knobs and levels.

The occasion for this meeting of Boston's onetime glam-metal gods is "Saudades de Rock" (pronounced "sow-dodge"), Extreme's first album of new material in 13 years. It's both the basis and rationale for a full-blown US and European tour that gets underway in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Read more of Extreme, made over...

Music news: Poison's Bret Michaels plans gig at Ocala's Coconut Jack's

Like the postman, Bret Michaels is ready to play come rain or shine, sleet or snow. Let the "Rock of Love" train roll. Woo-woo!

From Ocala.com:

Bret Michaels is bringing his "Rock of Love" tour to Ocala on Oct. 25, and it's going to cost big bucks to see the TV reality star and former Poison singer.

Gus Ruelas/The Associated Press: Poison lead singer Bret Michaels is scheduled to perform at Coconut Jack's in Ocala on Oct. 25.Ticket prices and availability will be announced next week but it looks like the Michaels' ticket may have a $125 price tag, according Mike Myers, who is promoting the show at Coconut Jack's Beach Club, 1512 S.W. 10th St. Sales will be limited to 500 tickets, Myers said.

"This is going to be a small, intimate show and it's special," said Myers, who booked the concert for Yahweh Records and King and I Productions.

Michaels is star of the reality show, "Rock of Love" on VH1. It earned high ratings on cable and has boosted Michaels's career. He is currently on national tour and Myers said the Ocala gig will be the last date of the tour.

"We're trying to bring in bigger acts," said Myers, who indicated he is negotiating with other nationally known performers.

Michaels first became known with Poison, one of the top glam-metal hair bands of the 1980s. The band's album, "Open Up and Say...Ahh!" sold nearly 8 million copies.

After leaving Poison, Michaels released a few solo albums and a country-rock CD. This year he released "Rock My World," and is currently on tour in support of the album.

Read more on Ocala.com...

Music news: Hair metal Arabia -style!

Hair metal in Arabia? Who woulda thunk it?

The National newspaper has published a guest column from Mark LeVine, Professor of Middle Eastern history, culture and Islamic Studies at UC Irvine and author, most recently, of "Heavy Metal Islam: Rock, Resistance, and the Struggle for the Soul of Islam" (Three Rivers Press/Random House). Man - that's quite a resume! An story excerpt follows.

"I was not a metal fan growing up. Sure, I had been into the great late 1960s and early 1970s groups from which metal had emerged — JIMI HENDRIX, CREAM, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, and LED ZEPPELIN. But I came of age at the moment that MTV took over, and the brand of metal that grew up with it — 'hair' or 'glam' metal, epitomised by groups such as MÖTLEY CRÜE, POISON and QUIET RIOT — seemed more about debauchery than building on the foundations of the ur-generation of heavy rock.

"Indeed, while most of my friends either moved into hip-hop or tried to be the next Eddie Van Halen, there was something about the music of those seminal bands which drew me backwards in time: towards the blues, classical music, and, while I couldn't at first put my ears on it, what I gradually realised were the Arab roots of rock 'n' roll."

Read more on The National ...

Praise The Lord! I was backstage with Poison

Well, this is about as wholesome as you can get. A bit jumpy. But Praise The Lord! After you watch this video, you will totally understand!

Guitar Hero from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.

If you can't view it, then here's the link.