Blame it on the Critics!

I think about the comments on this website and others – and it seems that the majority people are not what I call “cross-over” listeners. That is, listeners tend to really like one genre of music and not much else. Sure, there are exceptions. I listen to quite a bit of different styles of music and I know that’s the case for many of you that read this site. Still, there are people that are “Metal or die!” or even “Opera or nothing.”

Sometimes critics – especially the famous ones that get paid a lot of write for Rolling Stone – help fuel that music divide. Sure, we all have our preferences and favorites, but sometimes I’m even turned off by a band or genre because of what a critic wrote. If a band is immediately compared to another act I despise, that pretty much does it for me. I suppose that’s a shame, really.

I mention all this out of my Eminem posting from a few days back. I wrote that I didn’t like the song (I did, in fact, call it “crap”) but perhaps that was misconstrued. See, I don’t like modern rap – but late 80s and 90s rap is another story. There was a time in which I was a big rap/R&B fan – because about a decade ago, I felt like those sorts of songs didn’t all sound cookie cutter. Today, I have a problem with rap for many reasons, usually because I can’t understand the words and the lyrics are just not smart.

To its credit, Rolling Stone does review a diverse mix of genres – but it’s still usually by acts that are 1) really famous or 2) really hip.

Back in the 80s, Glam was mocked, mocked and mocked some more. I’ve never quite understood that, except that maybe critics couldn’t get past androgyny and staring at men in makeup, shredding a guitar. So while Rolling Stone and their contemporaries back in 1987 were reviewing Motley Crue, they were also praising Bruce Springsteen and U2. Maybe if it wasn’t even intentional, those critics sort of created a rift in the music scene: a “line-in-the-sand” if you will that separated the Glam Metallers from the so-called "smarter" rockers.

Perhaps we should all just be a little more open minded with our music selections?

Some Rock Gone Wild "Rumors"

Rock Gone Wild just Twittered more band announcements are coming Tuesday. Bands (apparently) added are Saving Abel, Armored Saint, Jackyl and Texas Hippie Coalition.

What a Week, Otherwise Known As I Scored Priest Tickets!

It's been a busy week for the Glam Mistress. I've been writing, writing, writing behind the scenes, working on many pieces for Noisecreep. Speaking of Noisecreep, did you happen to catch all my posts over there this week? Part two of my interview with Tracii Guns is up, as is a feature on progressive up-and-comers Bigelf, a chat with Geoff Tate, a loving look at the Metal chops of Adam Lambert and a little highlight on my beloved Lynam. See? I told you I've been busy.

The last few hours have been very productive as well. I scored tickets for the Judas Priest/Whitesnake show in Cincinnati this July. Of course, Ticketmaster was involved, so all wasn't smooth sailing. I logged on to Ticketmaster right before the general on-sale and was ready to pounce when tickets were made available. Within 30 seconds of the general on sale, I was adding two tickets to my basket - or so I thought. The first try, I selected "best available - pit" and was told this was sold out. Guess what? I was kicked to the Tickets Now auction site. Not a sucker, I went back to Ticketmaster and selected a cheaper price tier and ended up with very close seats. This little stunt further fueled my hate for Ticketmaster, but what can you do? If you want to go to shows, it seems you must use Ticketmaster and each transaction always results in angst.

At any rate, there's a possibility the final Rocklahoma headliner will be announced today - so I'm not going to write much more in anticipation of that news. I already know the band (or knew as of two weeks ago and things change) so it will be interesting to see if I'm surprised. Something tells me I will be...which also means ticket chaos for the Rocklahoma folks. All the competing festivals are scrambling for the exact same market share - Rocklahoma needs a big headliner to drum up sales.

Eminem Mocks Bret Michaels, Hilarity Ensues

Glamtastic, Batman! Eminem takes a swipe at all sorts of pop icons, including our beloved Bret Michaels. Sure, the song is crap (it is rap, after all) but the video is so great, it's worth enduring the tune for three minutes. My favorite part is when "Bret," his wig and Sarah Palin are in bed and...oh wait. You better just watch for yourself. I'd hate to ruin the plot.

Eminem - We Made You- Official Video

Rocklahoma Additions: D'Molls, Dirty Looks, Mad Margritt

Just like the headline says, Rocklahoma has added a few more bands: D'Molls, Dirty Looks and Mad Margritt. As you may have guessed, these are side stage acts. I would argue all three are better than most of the main stage talent this year.

The main stage lineup on each of the three days is as follows:

Thursday: Anthrax, Saxon, Overkill, Metal Church and Leatherwolf.

Friday: Stryper, Night Ranger, Warrant, Danger Danger, Helix and Hurricane Alice

Saturday: Thin Lizzy, KIX, KEEL, Gypsy Pistoleros, plus two to be announced.

Sunday: Twisted Sister, Skid Row, Great White, Nelson, Bonfire and Vixen

Here's Dirty Looks "Go Away"

Spend My Life

When I was young, I spent a lot of time parked in front of my little TV, staring at videos. I knew every word to every song on the radio - Glam or otherwise. I was then (like I am now) a music junkie. There are days when I wish I had all that golden time back: not a deadline or care in the world. Just me and my little TV, watching MTV and eating some chips. That was life.

Imagine my surprise when I came across a Slaughter video I don't recall. I mean, I have a good memory. I remember watching actual "premieres" of videos. I remember VJs and countdowns and what time my favorite video blocks aired. I can even remember watching blocks of Aerosmith videos while my mom made dinner. The TV room is adjacent to the kitchen in my parent's house, so she could hear the TV too. Sometimes she came in to listen to the songs with me.

I digress.

Last night I was scaning YouTube, looking for some gold and not expecting many nuggets when lo and behold I find "Spend My Life" by Slaughter. Sure I know the song but I certainly don't remember the video. "Spend My Life" is featured on Stick It To Ya and actually follows "Up All Night" in the track listing. All told, "Spend My Life" is a lovely power ballad. Everyone knows I swoon for Mark Slaughter and I'm bitter Slaughter won't be at Rocklahoma but they will be at M3 -  so hooray!

Here's the video for "Spend My Life." Do you remember this clip?

Spend My Life

So I'll Finally See Steel Panther Live

I can't believe it, but I've added another festival to my summer roster: M3, natch. It may be getting out of hand, but whatever, you only live once and I've got bands to chat up and friends to see!

M3 is in Baltimore at Merriweather Post Pavilion. As I recently wrote, M3 is just one day, so it's a grand slam Glam fix. As per usual, your Glam Mistress will be on tap to give you a comprehensive show review - surly comments and beautiful photos galore.

Steel Panther was recently added to M3 and I must admit I'm most excited to see them! I've seen every other band on the bill (save Keel and SLAMM) so catching Steel Panther is a great boon. I always think of going to L.A. just to attend one of their zany shows, but it hasn't happened yet. While Steel Panther is a bit of a goof, the members are professional musicians and their songs - while hokey - do drip with infectious hooks so sweet your dentist would disapprove.

Need more proof? Here's Steel Panther, "Death to all but Metal." Yeah, Steel Panther are pretty and that's exactly how I like my rockers: good hair and better voices.