Live Album Cop Out

Are live albums in 2011 a cop out? I think I'm going to have to say “yes.”

Here's why: back in the 70s and 80s...if you wanted to hear your fave band live, you saw them in concert. If you were too young or broke or lived in a remote location, a live album was your second best option for that special concert experience. While live albums have always been controversial in the fact that questions are nearly always raised to their validity (was this song touched up in the studio? Or this one? Or all of them?), at least the older the live disc, the more raw (usually). Now, live albums are basically always touched up to the hilt, so what is the point? Plus, every concert ends up on YouTube anyway...giving the fan the special chance of seeing and hearing the concert in its true form.

Even in the past, it seemed like bands only made live records as part of a contractual obligation to a label. Since few new acts (and even legacy acts) have the same sort of expansive, multi-album contracts that were once common, funding for live albums is getting less and less. I understand that a self-funded live album is a quick way for a band to get a new product in front of fans...but still. While I like live albums, I can't recall any in recent memory that I considered groundbreaking. It's pretty hard to compete with iconic live records like One Night at Budokan (Michael Schenker Group) or Live at Leeds (The Who).

I think in 2011, I'd just rather save my cash for shows...and watch other performances via YouTube. But then, that's me. What do you think: are live albums in 2011 a cop out?

Rare Glam: Scarlet Fever

You want rare Glam? Then, my loves, you've got it. Today, I present Scarlet Fever. This east coast Glam band only had one full length release called, of course, Just What the Doctor Ordered. The album came out in 1989.

Be advised that Scarlet Fever is of the trash Glam variety and should therefore be right up the alley of a lot of people who frequent this site on a regular basis. I hear Poison, Kix and The London Quireboys here.

I haven't seen this album on eBay...I'm sure it is out there on the overpriced resale market somewhere...maybe you own a copy? Listen and let me know what you think.

Rockets to Ruin, 'Got Me Down' -- New Video

If you've been with me awhile, then you know I'm a fan of Rockets to Ruin. Well, the band has a new video, which is exciting stuff. The video is for the song "Got Me Down" and will be on the upcoming release Mutual Disrespect. While that album doesn't have an official release date, rest assured it is coming.

Mutual Disrespect was produced by Jan Nerud.

The album will feature these songs:

Helpless
Got Me Down
Devil Girl
Back Off
Get It On
Bonnie and Clyde
Screamin' At Me
Helpless (Acoustic Version)
Gotta Go, Gotta Roll

In the past, I've said Rockets to Ruin reminded me of Buckcherry. This new single "Got Me Down" sounds much less sleazy...I'm hoping the rest of  Mutual Disrespect has that glam/sleaze feeling. I really feel like these guys fit right in the sweet spot somewhere between Rhino Bucket and Junkyard...or at least they used to...time will tell when the new album is released I guess.

The video was shot and edited by Steve Fasone.

Loudness Returns to America

It's been one week since the horrific Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The country is still battling a terrifying nuclear crisis, and on top of the shortage of food and gas...are freezing temperatures and snow impacting all the recovery and clean-up efforts.

The other day, I wrote a post on Noisecreep about one of the guys in X Japan auctioning his piano for the relief efforts.  Our own Metalboy! suggested I write a post about Japanese musicians...in an effort to bring attention to the relief efforts and all the need in the area.

Of course, when you talk Japanese rock, you immediately think of Loudness. Can you believe that Loudness are coming back to the states for live shows?! The band will start an American tour in May, hitting cities like Seattle, San Diego, Las Vegas, Nashville, Cleveland and many more.

Here are the dates:

05/06/11 ORANGEVALE, CA THE BOARDWALK
05/07/11 PORTLAND, OR DANTE’S
05/08/11 SEATTLE, WA STUDIO SEVEN
05/10/11 SANTA CLARA, CA THE AVALON
05/11/11 WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA KEY CLUB
05/12/11 TEMPE, AZ CLUB RED
05/13/11 SANTA ANA, CA GALAXY THEATRE
05/14/11 SAN DIEGO, CA 4TH & B
05/15/11 LAS VEGAS, NV THE CHEYENNE SALOON
05/17/11 DENVER, CO SUMMIT MUSIC HALL
05/20/11 WESTLAND, MI TOKEN LOUNGE
05/21/11 CHICAGO, IL REGGIE’S ROCK CLUB
05/22/11 CLEVELAND, OH BEACHLAND BALLROOM
05/23/11 NASHVILLE, TN MERCY LOUNGE
05/26/11 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK SAMURAI’S
05/27/11 DALLAS, TX TREES
05/28/11 SAN ANTONIO, TX BACKSTAGE LIVE
05/29/11 HOUSTON, TX WAREHOUSE LIVE
06/01/11 NEW YORK CITY, NY B.B. KING BLUES CLUB
06/03/11 SPRINGFIELD, VA JAXX
06/05/11 FARMINGDALE, LONG ISLAND, NY CRAZY DONKEY

So, in the spirit of X Japan wanting to help their homeland and in celebration of Loudness returning to America for some live shows this summer...why not make a rocking donation to the Red Cross to help the poor Japanese victims? I donated a few days ago. Alone, my little gift won't do much...but together, we have more buying power. I've learned that metal fans are a generous and caring bunch. Let's do what we can.

James Durbin Performs Bon Jovi on 'American Idol'

This season of American Idol features rocker James Durbin. While other seasons have had quasi-rockers, James really seems to be true to his metal roots and I love that. So while James started a little slow on "I'll Be There For You," he really got going toward the end. Oh, and having Glam tunes delivered to the masses is never a bad thing, right?

Watch before Fox disputes this video!

Male vs. Female Bands

It's been mentioned to me from time to time that different bands are "male" acts or "female" acts. I don't mean in the literal sense like Heart is a female band...I mean, bands that seem to attract a certain demographic.

This one is tricky because we have to remember that gender is constructed. Taking into account what we know about men and women, I suppose it is possible to have "male" and "female" bands but there will always be a larger fan base that crosses over of course.

The other day, I was talking to Christian about my love for Def Leppard. I was going on and on as I do and then he said "Well, it makes sense. They are a girl band." That statement took me aback a little. I figured Def Lep have just as many male fans as female...then I got to thinking back to all those Def Lep concerts I've attended...and the crowd is usually heavily female. Sure, in the beginning when Def Lep was just starting as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the audience skewed male. Then came Pyromania and a bunch of MTV hits...and well, the women like the Leps! (I mean, I still want to sit in Rick Savage's lap!)

You already know my other big bands are Aerosmith, Poison and Motley Crue. Those acts, along with Def Leppard, basically make up the core of my music passion. I have other bands I love of course, but none come close to these four acts. Poison, many have argued in the past, are not metal or rock (to which I disagree of course). Others have said their fan base is largely female. Maybe it is the music, or it could be the band's looks - I mean, the guys in Poison sure did look good in the 80s. 

But what about the men? What is it about a male group that gets male fans going? Twisted Sister is probably a male act. Metallica and Anthrax are as well. So is Accept. Others would say new Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper is a man's man sort of metal band - but everyone knows I love Alice and I am woman (hear me roar).

I don't buy into gender stereotypes. A woman can do anything a man does and vice versa and therefore I think the argument of gender bias as related to metal bands is weak. Still, I cannot ignore crowds and album sales...and if more males are at an Accept show...well, then, maybe Christian was on to something after all.

What do you think?

Bands You've Seen In Concert The Most?

The other day, our very own Christian asked me which band I've seen the most times in concert. I said "Um, let me think" and then I realized I honestly have no idea how many times I've seen each particular band live.

This surprised Christian. See, he's seen Iron Maiden live nine times and he said "Surely, there must be a band you've seen live at least nine times." And there probably is...especially festival bands like Slaughter and Skid Row. Still, it's hard for me to keep track. I don't keep ticket stubs or anything - or really a master list. I have a rough list buried somewhere on this site but it doesn't list the number of times I've seen each band. That said, there are a few I do know...

I've seen Aerosmith three times. Those concerts are ingrained in my memory. I've seen Kix six times (at least) and maybe they are the band I've seen live the most times. There's Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison, too course...all coming in at five times live (at least, each)...but no one like Christian's ever-growing Iron Maiden track record.

Which band have you seen the most times live in concert?