Time for Change

Editor's Note: This review was originally written for Metal Express Radio. I thought you glam fans might be interested. Enjoy!

There are some albums that start off good and there are others that start great. Check Ronnie Borchert's solo debut, Change, in the second category. A modern album with deference to melodic 80s rock such as Def Leppard and Motley Crue, Borchert makes music fun again.

No stranger to the music business, Borchert is an accomplished songwriter, producer, guitarist and frontman for the bands Trixie and Amsterdam. Still, even the seasoned musician can make missteps on a solo debut, but this disc has few - if any - low points.

Change begins on a rowdy note with "Take Me Away." Production elements throughout this song and album sound like Def Leppard during their Hysteria period.

Move through the album just a few tracks, and you find the Bon Jovi-esque "Feeling Love For You." Here, Borchert's voice really shines, and this track may very well be the pinnacle of  Change. Where Bon Jovi left off in 1988 with New Jersey Borchert picks up in 2007 with Change.

Like any good melodic rock album Change features a power ballad of sorts. "My Malena" is more rock than pop, and this goes a long way to keep the pace of the album. The lyrics to "My Malena" are simple and straightforward and completely infectious. Through "My Malena," Borchert creates a song that equally appeals to both genders.

The title track "Change" is the album's most mellow song featuring unique key changes and introspective lyrics. Almost auto-biographical in parts, Borchert sings of a bigger life outside his window. No doubt a reflection on his inaugural solo venture, Borchert openly affirms the growing pains that come from new experiences. Surely, recording and producing a debut disc is one of the most taxing adventures for any musician.

The album closes with "Do You Love Me" a unique hybrid of sounds akin to both Motley Crue's "Looks That Kill" and Journey's "Separate Ways." Featuring the syncopation of the classic Journey track and the guitar work of one of Motley's most famous songs, Borchert bends classic music into a new gem, creating his own unique sound out of respect for the past.

While Change is a solo effort, several accomplished musicians lend their talents to the recording including bassist Kim Racer and drummer DT Harvey. Borchert's sister Nicole Willard lends her vocal abilities to the power track "She's All I Need."

Coming in at just under 43 minutes, Change is a fast-paced ride of modern glam rock. Ronnie Borchert pulls out all the stops with his debut effort, solidifying his place among the best untapped music talent in today's modern rock landscape.

You can hear samples of the music at www.ronnieborchert.com or http://www.myspace.com/trixiemusic. Buy the album through CD baby.

Axe Masters

Are there any fans of Lillian Axe in the house?!?

As you know by now, I'm venturing westward for Rocklahoma. On the official festival site, there's a forum where excited music fans talk about the second coming. A lot of chatter has centered around Lillian Axe. There's only one problem: Lillian Axe isn't on the bill.

Many fans, either half-jokingly or dead-serious are demanding that Lillian Axe be added to the three day artist roster. Lillian Axe is one of my "friends" through Myspace. When I clicked on their site, there's a new blog bulletin about the band, saying they asked for a spot to perform at Rocklahoma!

Something's rotten in the state of Denmark, glam fans.

If you're not familiar with Lillian Axe, let's go back to the beginning.

Lillian Axe played their way through the glam days of the 1980s, looking for a record deal. Eventually, guitarists Steve Blaze and Jon Ster, drummer Danny King, singer Ron Taylor and bassist Rob Stratton landed a deal with MCA. By this time, it was 1988 and the boys were working on their self-titled debut,  produced by none other than Robbin Crosby of RATT.

Sadly, Lillian Axe didn't blow up the charts with their self-titled effort or their second release Love + War. Quite frankly, I don't know why these melodic New Orleans natives didn't fare better in the music world. Like Badlands and the Sea Hags, Lillian Axe had immense potential and great musical ability.

Fast forward two decades, and it's spring 2007. Lillian Axe is back with a new line-up, record deal and album waiting in the wings.

Steve Blaze remains the constant, and the new members include singer Derrick LeFevre, guitarist Sam Poitevent, bassist Eric Morris and Ken Koudelka behind the kit.

Lillian Axe is now with Metro City Records. That label has announced June 19 release date for Water's Rising. If you visit www.metrocityrecords.com you can pre-order a copy of the new disc.

This brings me back to Rocklahoma. If a classic 80s band is back with a new record deal and album in the works, why wouldn't the promoters of a huge 80s Metal festival be on board?

Here's what Steve Blaze posted on the band's official Myspace page:

"The Feverfest in Oklahoma in July is a 3 day festival with about 20 bands from the 80's and 90's plus a list of locals as well. I was contacted by fans asking why Lillian Axe was not on the bill, and I have no answer. With the new album coming out June 19th, the timing would be perfect. When our agents contacted the promoters, they said the bill was filled. I think that with enough phone calls and pressure, we should be added. Please call 866-310-2288 and demand Lillian to be on this show! Let the promoter know how you feel www.feverfest.com. Thanks for your continued support!" 

Read more at http://www.myspace.com/lillianaxe.

So, what's the deal? I know for a fact that there's at least one TBA spot still on the roster, and when Lillian Axe contacted the promoters, tons of spots were still available. I highly doubt the band charges a huge booking fee for their performances.

Is there glam rock discrimination in Oklahoma?

Under Construction

It's renovation time at my house. This is not news because the glam rock husband is always renovating something. The past three weekends he upgraded the plumbing and rebuilt a stairway. As I write this, he's ripping apart the entire basement and creating a huge mess.

Why is he ripping apart the basement? To build a glam nightclub for yours truly! Oh yes, the glam mistress will soon have her own basement bar, decked out in sleazy fashion. The addition is sure to add tons of value to my home.

While Eric is in the basement, I'll be doing my own renovations. I've decided that my music is in horrible disarray and I can't take it anymore. You see, glam fans, I'm a bit of a neat freak. Currently, I have CDs strewn everywhere, from my car to the family room to my bedroom.

This is unacceptable.

Yesterday, I prepared for my renovation by purchasing one of those giant disc holders that zip up. I also picked up a giant Rubbermaid tub to store all my CD cases. This way, I can get rid of the stacks and stacks of CDs and still have everything at my disposal. The thought just puts me in a good mood.

I'm looking forward to digging through boxes of CDs I don't listen to anymore. I know I'm going to find a lot of crap, and maybe some forgotten gems. In the essence of full disclosure I'll admit right now I own some Spice Girls, Janet Jackson and U2.

What are the most embarrassing CDs in your collection?

Side Note: By the way, be sure to check out the website of the Hairball John Radio Show later today for a new Bring Back Glam blog.

Trix for Treats

Happy Friday the 13th glam fans!

To fight the bad vibes and superstition, we need to lighten things up around here. That means it's time for a little...Trixter!

Yes, Trixter.

The band was formed in 1984, but didn't released their self-titled debut until 1990. Trixter featured a few hits, including "Surrender" and "Give it to me Good."

Everyone always mocks Trixter, but I think they're a pretty good glam band. If you're not familiar, Trixter was lead singer Pete Loran, guitarist Steve Brown, bassist P.J. Farley and drummer Mark Scott.

Trixter also released two more discs, Hear in 1992 and Undercovers in 1994 (a cover album). Those release dates explain why Trixter didn't become a huge household name. By 1994, grunge was the wave of the future and having fun was no longer en vogue. I fully blame my generation for that  blunder.

According to http://pjfarley.com, Farley was voted a top bass player by Metal Edge readers (1992).  He's still an active musician, with a full calendar of gigs. Farley teamed up with Steve Brown to form Throwman Rocks, which eventually became the band Soaked.

Just last year, Pete Loran and Mark Slaughter (!) guested on the new Liberty n' Justice album Soundtrack of a Soul.  By the way, there's also a ton of other glam artists on this Christian release including Sebastian Bach and Stephen Pearcy.

Back in the day Trixter toured with Warrant, Poison, Slaughter and the Scorpions. I wouldn't mind if the boys reunited for a special show during Rocklahoma. But hey, that's just me.

Expensive Taste

Sometimes a big budget doesn't always equal a great music video.

Did you know that Van Halen only spent $600 bucks on their "Jump" video? David Lee Roth directed the video himself, obviously saving oodles of cash. The single "Jump" is from the album 1984. The album reached the #2 spot on the Billboard charts, the single "Jump" went all the way to number one. That song remains Van Halen's only number one hit. The Recording Industry Association of America certified 1984 with a Diamond award (10 million copies sold)  back in 1999.

Fast forward a few years and add in a little cash for inflation and you get one of the most expensive music videos of all time, for the epic Guns n' Roses ballad "November Rain." That song is featured on Use Your Illusion I. The cost to produce "November Rain" was well over a million bucks, and is rumoured to feature more than a thousand extras!  The Recording Industry Association of America certified Use Your Illusion I seven times platinum in 1997. While Use Your Illusion I hasn't sold as many copies as 1984, Guns n' Roses reached multi-platinum status at about the same rate as Van Halen did with 1984 (it took both bands a little over two months to sell more than a million units).

Did the music videos for "Jump" and "November Rain" fuel the success of album sales, was it radio play, or the music scene at the respective time of release?

Today, music videos don't have that much impact on album sales because no one plays videos anymore, despite that fact that artists still shell out big bucks to produce the mini movies.

Here's the videos for both "Jump" and "November Rain." Which one do you like better?
I've added a few new links to the side of the site. Please check out All My Life...an account of how music often intersects daily life.

Gossip Folks

Ok, it's a two post day.

Why? Celebrity gossip!

Apparently, the divorce is final between the blondiful Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora.

Wait, there's more.

Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson are also back together again.

Seriously. No, I'm not kidding.

Entertainment Tonight flashed pictures of the rocker and centerfold vacationing together somewhere warm (other websites report Hawaii, but I cannot independently verify this hot tip). The photos were on television less than ten seconds, teasing ahead to tomorrow's show.

Apparently, our favorite glam drummer is shacking up in Pam's house while his estate is being renovated. Renovated? I'm sure it's a dump.

I wonder if they'll get married again.

Poison'd

It's time for a rant, glam fans.

Check out this cool photo of a giant Poison ad in Times Square, the crossroads of the world. I swiped the photo from Poizond13 over at Metal Sludge, so I hope he doesn't mind. After the photo popped up on the message board, a lot of Poison fans were excited including myself. After all, it's been more than two decades since Poison released their debut disc.

The newswire is promoting the release of Poison'd, a disc of cover songs which has a June 5 release date. I'm not an ad buyer, but I know a promotion of this magnitude had to cost some serious cash. After all, space and money in NYC is always at a premium so Poison's label must have some serious faith in this new album.

Enter all the haters.

Every other post on Metal Sludge was from a person running down Poison, their work ethic, their musical ability, and their looks. The issue here isn't with Metal Sludge because that message board is all about talking smack. It's about all the people who used to be fans of Poison (or RATT, Motley Crue, Sea Hags, Winger, Badlands, Bonham, Aerosmith, etc.) that have turned their backs on the band because of modern trends.

People, take note. There's a reason why Poison still has label support and the ability to fill shed tours every summer. It's because Poison is a great glam band who knows how to put on an awesome live show and have a good time. For everyone who says Poison only plays their hits, I say what do you expect? Steven Tyler once said he was sick of performing "Walk This Way" live but the boys in Aerosmith know they have no choice. It's their calling card, just like "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" is Poison's calling card. This is the way things are. There are plenty of die hard fans out there - like me - who would love to hear B-sides or lesser known tracks performed live. I'm also realistic so if this means hearing "Fallen Angel" live again, I'm very cool with that.

So, I say congratulations to Bret Michaels, Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, and Rikki Rockett. Marketing is very important to album sales, and it's good that the boys are getting out there and trying to stir up interest for their upcoming release. I can't wait to see Poison again, I know I'll be having nothing but a good time.

In other news, Stevie Rachelle (owner of Metal Sludge and Tuff lead singer) started the rumour that White Lion will be joining Poison and RATT for their summer tour. Mike Tramp's White Lion features bassist Claus Longwood, drummer Troy Patrick Farrell, guitarist Jamie Law and keyboarder Henning Wanner. Tour dates have yet to be announced.