Thinking about Setlists...

I'm going to the Dokken/Sebastian Bach/Poison show tonight in Cincinnati. I'm sure the show will be nearly identical to the one I saw last month at Rocklahoma. You might recall Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach and Dokken played during the festival.

People complain a lot about Poison's set list. I've complained myself. It's true the songs never really change. Yes, it's doubtful we'll ever hear a deep cut off Open Up and Say...Ahh! I had  a revelation today about myself: I need to start doing more things that take pressure off me. Quite frankly, I recently hit the burn out wall at about 100 M.P.H. I'm trying to dig out of the burnout burden, but it's going to take time. I'm sure the same happens to musicians.

Consider this: Poison tours nearly every summer (although I'm fairly certain in telling you that the band won't be on the road next year). I'm pretty confident in my guess that Bret, Bobby, Rikki and C.C. suffer from burnout. Tell me you wouldn't be burned out by playing the same 12 songs, four times a week for about 16 weeks straight. On top of that, Bret does nearly an identical set for his solo shows. Same with Vince Neil and Motley Crue.

I think bands need to choose set lists that take away the burden.

In the past, I've been the first to wave the "obscure song" flag. Hell yes I want to hear Motley Crue play "Danger." You know what? I bet the band doesn't even remember the music and lyrics for that song. To an extent, a band is just trying to play to the masses during a live show. Sure, there will always be those die hards in the crowd, but maybe relearning an obscure deep cut isn't in the cards for most acts.

At the end of the day, the bands themselves are the drivers of their own career success. The people on stage - not the agents, publicists, managers, label reps or fans - get to decide their own trajectory. I guess if Poison feels it's best to play "Unskinny Bop," "Cry Tough" and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" every night, so be it. Band members - if they are close or civil enemies - have a duty to make it through a show in one piece and do their best. Yes, they are performing for a ticket buying community -- and for our money, we do deserve high energy. We just don't get to call the shots. 

**Personal note: I've changed the comments policy here as a way to lift my personal burden. Recently, a few people with a lot of spare time decided to use my website to post hate and other random drivel. I no longer have time to sit and watch my email become flooded with garbage that I have to manually remove. I've gotten lots of personal messages from regular readers asking me to do something about the nasty comments. Some of these readers have even expressed fear of posting because they don't want to be attacked.  For now, all comments must be approved by me. This way, I can approve batches at a time and weed out the bad apples in one shot. Attention must be paid.

I Am So Buying This...

Avenged Sevenfold just released a trailer and this awesome artwork for their upcoming CD/DVD, Live in the LBC &Diamonds in the Rough. The package will be available September 9, 2008. 

Here's the track listing of the CD and DVD:

01. Demons
02. Girl I Know
03. Crossroads
04. Flash of the Blade
05. Until the End
06. Tension
07. Walk
08. The Fight
09. Dancing Dead
10. Almost Easy (Remix)
11. Afterlife (Alternate version)

DVD:

01. Critical Acclaim
02. Second Heartbeat
03. Afterlife
04. Beast and Harlot
05. Scream
06. Seize the Day
07. Walk
08. Bat Country
09. Almost Easy
10. Gunslinger
11. Unholy Confessions
12. A Little Piece of Heaven

...And Now You Can See the New Motley Crue Clip Here...

Blender has the exclusive and explicit premiere of Motley Crue's new video for "Mutherfucker of the Year." Now you can watch that clip here too. The video is a montage of live shots. The shots move so fast, I had to rewind about ten times to catch *most* of the Crue's motley behavior.

At first I was nervous that such an explicit song was serving as Motley's second single. Then I realized single are not for radio these days. Bands basically make videos and singles available for YouTube and Myspace and "Mutherfucker of the Year" fits that need nicely. Enjoy.

There is Nothing Going On...

So, a revelation hit me like a ton of bricks last night: there is nothing going on. I mean, music-wise. Sure, the summer tours are chugging along, but this was expected. Rock the Bayou is in two weeks, and that will basically signal the end to concert season. Still, it seems like there hasn't been much activity in the Glam world recently. Maybe it's the post-Rocklahoma letdown, or the dog days of summer...but I swear...there just hasn't been anything exciting to talk about. Sure, there was the feud between Poison and Def Leppard, but that was more ridiculous than news.

I feel like all the music websites have been quiet. You know, Metal Sludge, Blabbermouth... there are not many albums coming out in the immediate few weeks.

After concert season, I love looking forward to new release season. Of course we've had a lot of releases already this year, but I'm optimistic we'll be getting more good records before we ring in 2009. The holiday season always gives artists a big boost in sales and a lot of musicians wisely choose to release right before the shopping rush.

Is it me, or does the music world feel like it is in a rut? I scan music websites many times throughout the day. I'd rather break stories than just repost, but if I think you'll really like something, I pop it up here. I've noticed you like enterprise journalism more than interviews and reviews. If you're not familiar, enterprise reporting is basically when I create stories out of thin air. You know, talk off the cuff. Anyway, I haven't even found much worth reposting as of late.

Back to the rut. I feel like I haven't read anything interesting in weeks on Myspace, either. Usually I get tidbits for stories just from scanning bulletins. Not lately. I wonder if this is because everyone is on vacation? After all, summer is one perpetual holiday.

Please tell me I'm not the only one that feels stuck in a music rut?

As I try to make it through another boring day, I'll be watching the calendar, counting down to my week of concerts and listening to Tesla. I do love Tesla. Here's "What You Give."

Holy Diver

I was watching Big Brother last night when I had the strongest desire to listen to "Holy Diver" during one of the commercials. Since I have a laptop permanently attached to my body, I simply clicked over to YouTube and had a listen. After I listened to Ronnie James Dio, my husband wanted to hear the same song by Killswitch Engage. I will admit their cover is pretty darn close to the original. Of course, the video is a blatant ripoff, but I like it all the same. Can you beat Ronnie James Dio? I'm not certain. Have a listen:

Here's Killswitch Engage's attempt. I have to admit hearing this song live was a highpoint of the band's set at Rock on the Range.

So, which do you prefer? The original - which is bona fide Metal classic - or the remake, which has its own special quality? Of course, I'll never understand's Dio's obsession with dragons...

New SIXX: AM Video

Watch the new SIXX: AM video "Tomorrow!" Yes, ladies it's pretty hot!

Tomorrow - Sixx:A.M. | Music Videos | SPIKE.com

One Location, One Meal, One Band

The title says it all: one location, one meal, one band. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? What would you eat? And which band would you hire for a private concert?

At first glance, this is an easy question. Easy until you realize that this is more than a once in a lifetime experience and the choices must be impeccable. The location probably shouldn't be someplace mundane. The food should definitely be luxurious and the band an obvious favorite.

I've wanted to write this post for days now...but I wasn't able to make definitive decisions on my own personal choices! You see, I've always wanted to go to Tahiti - but I've never been there, so how can I know for sure I'd like the beachy region? I feel the same about Sweden. You already know I'm obsessed with visiting Sweden - mainly because it's the land of Glam. Again, what if I don't like it there? I would say Los Angeles is an obvious fit for me - plus I could choose some food from the Rainbow Bar and Grille and have an obvious Glam experience. Still, this doesn't seem right.

I love Hawaii for lots of reasons, most notably because it is probably one of the most relaxing places I've ever visited. The residents are pleasant and since Hawaii is part of the United States, you get the benefit of modern technology. I guess I would pick one of the islands as my spot for an ideal private concert.

I like food. I don't tend to eat big amounts at one sitting, but I like to enjoy bits of this and that. I'm a basic sort of girl: Cheesecake Factory is my favorite restaurant. Lots of choices, topped off by a giant slab of something chocolate. I'd have lots of Cheesecake Factory desserts for my choice meal. Yes, I'm a junk food addict. By the way, I'd wash all the sweets down with a bottle of champagne.

Finally...the entertainment. I love so many bands. I often fantasize about booking famous bands to play in my backyard. I like the idea of a private festival, but I fear the noise would anger the neighbors. Still, on my private and expansive Hawaiian beach, noise won't be an issue. Obviously, when it all falls into place, I'd invite Aerosmith to perform for me. After all, they are my favorite band and represent a long-standing love affair with rock music.

All this talk of beaches and private concerts makes me really want to buy a lotto ticket.

So, what are your choices? You get one location, one meal and one band. Go!