(Repost) Bring On The Battering Ram

Back on September 15, 2015, The Dayton City Paper published my interview with Biff Byford of Saxon. The band was getting ready to come through Dayton and I was promoting the show. This was a fun interview and one of my favorite pieces from my time with the DCP.

Saxon - Battering Ram

“We are a live band… no click tracks running with Saxon so I suppose [the stage] is where we like to be!” says Biff Byford, Saxon frontman, of his band’s current North American tour.

Saxon is on the road behind its upcoming effort Battering Ram. A battering ram is a giant contraption from ancient times that is designed to bust through fortified walls. Basically, it’s a tool to break big things.

The band matched its metal sounding album title with the tracks on their new release. For Battering Ram, Saxon is back to basics, with “less rock and more heavy” as Byford is quoted saying of the upcoming record.

“The new album is still quite melodic, but I think the guitar parts are more focused not so much moving around from rock to metal,” Byford tells Dayton City Paper.

The album features 10 songs, including the title track “Battering Ram.” Keeping with the heavier metal theme, other tracks on the album are “Destroyer,” “The Devil’s Footprint” and “Stand Your Ground.” The effort will be the band’s 21st studio album.

Writing credits for most songs are simply attributed to “Saxon” so you never really know which band member wrote a particular track. Still, Byford admits he does write a lot of Saxon material and he says he teamed up a lot with bassist Timothy Carter to create songs for Battering Ram.

Think of the material on Battering Ram as metal, just laser focused. The band members wanted to concentrate mainly on writing straight-ahead metal songs instead of changing into other music styles as they have with past efforts.

Choosing to hit the road with Armored Saint for a fall run is a slam-dunk for heavy music fans. Known as stalwarts of American thrash, Armored Saint have been staples on the metal scene for nearly four decades. Opening for Saxon, one of the band’s influences, is like coming full circle. The two bands will crisscross the Midwest together for a handful of club shows. Still, Byford wants everyone to know this is Saxon’s tour. He loves the road and he’s not ashamed to admit it.

If anyone understands what a laser focus on metal is, it is Byford. After all, he is the man who campaigned to make heavy metal a recognized religion in the UK. In partnership with Metal Hammer magazine in 2012, Byford helped gather votes to classify “heavy metal” as a religion during the most recent census.

“The music’s not about love,” Byford explained to The Independent back in 2010. “Our songs are more about Richard the Lionheart, steel trains and thunder. But when you do click with a big audience, it can be quite an experience, a massive connection… I suppose you could say it is a religious experience in a way.”

By forever staying on the road, playing big festivals and small clubs, the guys in Saxon are continuing to proselytize.

“I remember playing [at McGuffy’s House of Rock, now Oddbody’s] there a couple of times,” Byford says. “The Midwest fans are great. We are spending more time in the states this tour.”

Spending more time in the states means wider publicity for their new album and all the benefits of continuous gigs like increased merchandise sales. No rest for the weary, come November, the guys in Saxon will board a jet and head home to Europe where they will team up with icons Motörhead for a month-long tour.

Even with a career that spans decades, memorable songs and legions of fans, Byford and the rest of Saxon remain thirsty for more creativity, more shows, more metal. That is good news for fans of the genre.

“I think the metal scene is getting a lot better,” Byford admits. “Bands like us have an arsenal of big songs. When new bands have some pedigree, they will be able to make the choice to go on or to retire.”

The Guardian recently did a feature on aging musicians. When a reporter asked Byford why he and his band continue to perform live night after night, he quips, “The rock retirement age is 106. What else are we supposed to do? Sit in wicker chairs?”

For Saxon, there are no signs of retirement or even slowing down. After all, a battering ram requires speed and force to bust through walls—not wicker.

Battering Ram will be released in North America on October 16 via UDR Music.

(Repost) Sebastian Bach Talks New Album, Shares His Hair Care Ritual

Another one from the Noisecreep archive. I was actually looking for this one a couple months and couldn't find it. I was telling Eric that one time Sebastian Bach told me about his hair care ritual. I knew I didn't dream up that conversation! Originally published on October 2, 2011, Bach told me about his hair and his Kicking & Screaming album.

Sebastian Bach - Kicking & Screaming

"I look at music as a form of self-expression and I know exactly what I want to hear," singer Sebastian Bach tells Noisecreep. "I could not be happier with this CD [and] the way it sounds."

Bach's new record is called 'Kicking & Screaming.' The album is his first with label Frontiers and features axe work by Bach's new guitarist Nick Sterling. 'Kicking & Screaming' was written during a time of immense change for Bach, including divorce and the death of his father.

You always have to write what you feel, and a lot of the songs on the record are about losing a loved one, or finding new love," explains Bach. "That's kind of autobiographical and it goes along with the cover and the lyrics all kind of tie it in."

For all the introspection and modern production, Bach is still Bach: a performer known for a big voice and good looks. But how does Bach keep his hair looking so good? A strict routine and product, of course.


"Specifically it's Nexxus Therapy shampoo, with Kerafix conditioner or a Moroccan oil leave-in and at the end, blow dry it... and then rub some Moroccan oil in to it and then you'll have a Sebastian Bach bouffant," laughs Bach as he explains his daily hair care ritual.

(Repost) Crazy Lixx Inject New Life Into ’80s-Flavored Rock on ‘Riot Avenue’

Here's one from my old Noisecreep days! Oringially published on April 20, 2012, I reintroduced some AOL Music fans to Crazy Lixx.

Crazy Lixx - Riot Avenue (Reissue)

Swedish hard rock heroes Crazy Lixx will release their third album, Riot Avenue, on April 24. The album features a grittier sound and a new second guitarist named Edd Liam.

"Edd really fits in well! Great guitar player and friend... it started back after the New Religion album, that's when we knew we needed more guitars so that's when Edd joined," explains Crazy Lixx guitarist Andy Dawson. "Edd's been playing with us live for almost two years now and this third album was his first with the band and it turned out great."

Forming in 2002, Crazy Lixx have a throwback '80s vibe, but that doesn't mean they are not current. Dawson knows the band gets compared to '80s mega-stars like Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, and takes it all in stride... while keeping true to his band's own vision.

Crazy Lixx worked with producer Robert Ahrling on Riot Avenue. "We just wanted to do an album with no boundaries, no 'can't do this or that,' just record what we heard and try to get that on tape," Dawson explains. "Of course, we got tired of sounding like other bands, bands you can clearly hear we've taken inspiration from and a sound not so original. I'm not saying that all of those things have changed but the most important ones have."

Riot Avenue will hit stores on April 24 via Frontiers.

(Repost) Chinese Democracy - The Bring Back Glam! Review

I remember being so pumped to finally own Chinese Democracy. The day of release I went to Best Buy and grabbed a copy and ripped it open to listen in the car. I've since decided the album is excellent - but man people were mad when this thing came out! Originally published on November 24, 2008 this was the biggest news in rock for the entire month.

Guns n' Roses - Chinese Democracy

A decade and a half in the making, Chinese Democracy is here for all the world (well, except China, but that's another story) to enjoy. The Guns n' Roses opus took nearly 15 years to produce and became the endless butt of music jokes over the years.

Today, Axl Rose is the one laughing...all the way to the bank.

A long wait usually creates controversy, and that's exactly the case with Chinese Democracy. I'll be honest: I wanted to hate the album, but I can't. I love it. I think it's basically phenomenal with amazing lyrics, great guitar work and over-the-top sonic production that just blows other modern rock releases out of the water.

Here's the track listing:

Chinese Democracy
Shackler's Revenge
Better
Street of Dreams
If the World
There Was a Time
Catcher in the Rye
Scraped
Riad n' the Bedouins
Sorry
I.R.S.
Madagascar
This I Love
Prostitute

What are my favorite tracks on Chinese Democracy?

"If the World" is easily my favorite song on the album, but I also dig the album's title track, "There Was a Time" and "This I Love." The thing about Chinese Democracy is that it is about as far from Appetite from Destruction that you can get - and I think that's a good thing. We already know and love "Sweet Child O' Mine" so maybe it's time we all grow up and learn to dig something with a modern flair. Chinese Democracy isn't an in-your-face record, either. This is the sort of album that takes several listens to really "get." There are a lot of layers here - each listen brings out a new complexity.

Now, I get the prejudice against Chinese Democracy. Quite frankly, no album should take upwards of 15 years to produce. The time wasted is one thing, the money another. Still, I think the final product is pretty damn amazing. Was it worth the wait? I'm not exactly sure. Am I glad the album is finally out and I can listen on my iPod while at work? Hell yes.

Seriously, though,  Chinese Democracy is an album you need to hear for yourself. All the reviews in the world can't do it justice one way or another. This is a love it or hate it sort of situation. I love it, I already know some of you hate it - for better or worse, Guns n' Roses are back.

(Repost) Like An Obscure Skid Row...

Remember this post about Sven Gali? No? Well now you can read it! Originally published on January 31, 2009, this elicited some excitement and nostalgia.

Sven Gali - Sven Gali

Ok, so Skid Row got massively famous. Across the border and to the north was Sven Gali, often compared to Skid Row. The band had some great tunes but often fell into the "ripped-jean-and-flannel-shirt-but Glam-band" conundrum. After all, it was the dawn of the 90s and flannel was hot - you know, literally and figuratively. So, what's a good Glam band to do but keep the locks long and don some red plaid.

Sven Gali originally formed in 1987 but didn't release their debut until five years later. The good thing about Sven Gali is that they definitely have a hard edge - and are great if you're in a bad mood or just want to drive your car really fast. Also, there's a lot of live clips of them on YouTube so you can  really get  a sense of what the band is all about.

Who were Sven Gali? David Wanless sang and Dee Cernile and Andy Frank played guitar. Gregg Gerson (and later Mike Ferguson) played drums and Shawn Mahar played bass. The band's biggest "hit" is "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" but I much prefer the fast songs. Leave the ballads to Sebastian Bach-era Skid Row I say.

Remember those flannel shirts I mentioned? Yeah, Sven Gali tried to go grunge and - shock - it didn't work. Who knew that a Glam band would suck at grunge?

Anyway, here's the tracklisting for that self-titled debut:

01. Under The Influence
02. Tie Dyed Skies
03. Sweet Little Gypsy
04. In My Garden
05. Freakz
06. Love Don't Live Anymore
07. Stiff Competition
08. Real Thing
09. Whisper In The Rain
10. 25 Hours A Day
11. Here Today Gone Tomorrow
12. Disgusteen

And now the obligatory video clip:

 
"What You Give"

(Repost) Whereas Steven Tyler Makes A Burger King Commercial... And I Die A Little Inside

Remember this? Originally published on April 27, 2012, Steven Tyler of my beloved Aerosmith just needed to make a little more money I guess.

Steven Tyler - We're All Somebody From Somewhere

Oh my. No one can accuse Steven Tyler of not working hard to hustle for a buck. Between Aerosmith, American Idol and greasy hamburgers, Tyler must be sweating cash.

If the rest of Aerosmith is resentful of Tyler's work on Idol, I can't imagine how this burger deal went down between the iconic rockers. Alas, watch the singer of my favorite band of all time hock heart attacks, er, chicken tenders.

(Repost) White Lightning

For whatever reason, this post has always stuck with me. In fact, it might be one of my very favorites. Originally published on January 8, 2007.  I guess I was able to get out what I was feeling at the time.

Def Leppard - Adrenalize

Steve Clark died 16 years ago today. He was the co-lead guitarist for Def Leppard, a tortured soul who drank himself to death at age 30.

Adrenalize was Def Leppard’s first album without Steve. He died midway through production after an accidental overdose of mixing prescription pain killers and liquor. On the album, the remaining four members of DL recorded the track “White Lightning.” Clark’s nickname was “White Lightning” but the term is also used to describe booze and other drugs. While treated as an anthem to their fallen comrade, lyrics to “White Lightning” also include a warning for others riding the addiction train:

“You wanna leave but you can't let go
You wanna stop but you can't say no
(You never laugh about it, you just can't live without it)
You've had enough but you just want more
You never get what you're looking for
(You never laugh about it)”

And later, after the bridge:

“The White Lightning - On a dead end street
White Lightning - Where the deadbeats meet
White Lightning - It's a one way ride
White Lightning - Oh, there's nowhere to hide.”

Instead of replacing Clark during the Adrenalize sessions, the band forged ahead as a quartet, later hiring Vivian Campbell on guitars. On the official website www.defleppard.com, Steve Clark retains a biography under the band section.

This, beyond any recording or songwriting capabilities, speaks volumes to the talent Clark oozed during his time with the British supergroup. In short, Clark knew the true essence of the 1980s musical zeitgeist and was able to transform that mold into power cords, strong riffs and gigantic album sales.

Personally, I think “White Lightning” is the best track on Adrenalize. The 50 second guitar intro literally makes the song, and the entire track isn’t overproduced like so many DL hits. Interestingly, the song was never released as a single, and I can only assume this was out of respect for Clark. The band didn’t want to look like it was profiting off the death of their famous guitarist. For this reason, “White Lightning” will be our underappreciated song obsession of the week.

For Def Leppard, success is a mixed bag. Personally, I award DL the title of the biggest band of the 1980s. They sold more albums, played more shows and stayed on the charts longer than any other glam band. In the middle of the grunge hey-day, Adrenalize simultaneously debuted at number 1 on the U.S. and U.K. Billboard charts, remaining in the top spot for several weeks. Sales-wise, this was Def Leppard’s last big success, save for the many greatest hits compilations (Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection was certified platinum in February of 2006). Critics say that when Steve Clark died, so did Def Leppard. I don’t know if I agree with that statement, but I do think the band lost a certain edge that will never be replaced. It’s a certain quality every band loses when an integral musician leaves the fold.

[“White Lightning” lyrics by Def Leppard, for the 1992 Mercury/Universal release Adrenalize]