Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 12:01AM
Friday, December 18, 2015 at 12:01AM Today's post is from our friend HIM.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just announced this year’s inductees. There are two obvious first year choices: Cheap Trick and Steve Miller. There is one obvious choice that had been overlooked for years: Deep Purple. There is the peripheral choice in Chicago (formerly a Transit Authority, now just a city without Cetera). There is the expected non-rock induction of N.W.A. (hey, the hagiography—I mean, movie—had to help, right?).
There are also, of course, the other bands filling the sappy salad bowl of rejection: Chic (ten years in a row), Janet Jackson (“Rhythm Nation” sorta’ rocked), The Cars, Los Lobos, and Yes.
The nods and the no-nods would matter if the RaRHoF mattered. Why leave out Yes, given their output and influence, not to mention the fact that Chris Squire so recently passed? How can Chicago get in but the Cars get left out? “Let’s Go” smashes to bits any chance that I want to “Stay the Night.” N.W.A. certainly belong in the Rap Hall of Fame, but you would suspect that Easy-E would squash this noise with a pair of Beats headphones that Dre lent him for the ceremony. Chic? While Nile Rodgers can certainly tear it up, I am not sure that "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)" ever threatened to overtake Zeppelin or the Beatles.
But the RaRHoF doesn’t matter. While I realize that rock is an elastic thing, and that the roots and branches and offshoots are many and varied, that only plays into the type of discussion that in some way legitimates this sorry excuse for a "process." 800 votes do not a decision make, especially one so wedded to corporate interests and the whims of the management. While it might be heartening to some fans, and a nice nod for some bands, the Hall of Fame—as an entity—is really only worthwhile as a museum: curated, tended and tame . . . all the things that rock is not.
It took the snarling mess of a punk band in decline, and looking for some “filthy lucre,” to say “bollocks” to the whole thing.
Letters of Note: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a piss stain
A reverse peace sign/archery fingers salute seems like the appropriate gesture this or any year. Then again, you could listen to no less of an authority on rock than Ian Gillan:
Leave it to Gillan to strike the right tone: succinct, bemused, polite, and ultimately unaware. Others should follow his lead.
Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 12:01AM As you've probably seen by now, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett has oral cancer. Rikki is 54 and announced the diagnosis on satellite radio earlier this week. It turns out he has a tumor on his tongue.
Rikki has undergone nine sessions of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiation. He'll get a PET scan in February to determine if he's cancer free or not.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 12:01AM This seems really early, but M3 Rock Fest has just announced the lineup for the 2016 event. The festival will take place April 29 and 30, which I say is way too early for a "summer" festival, but whatever. May does get quickly crowded with events.
By and large the lineup is just "meh." There's the staples like KIX and Tesla, but no real standout. Basically, it's just more of the same, but it will still be a fun time. These are the bands we love. Throw in some nice weather and friends, and you've got a fun weekend. Tickets go on sale Friday. The price range is $60 - $850. I have no idea what you get for $850, but I hope it includes a month of rent somewhere!
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 12:01AM
Monday, December 14, 2015 at 12:01AM
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 12:01AM Do you ever wonder how many times AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" has been played? I mean, just really think about it for a second. At every high school dance. At sporting events. Company Christmas parties. Birthday parties. Fourth of July fireworks displays... and on and on and on. Heck, the song is so ingrained into American culture, I don't think such an event listed above would be complete without the iconic AC/DC tune.
I was thinking about this while sitting at a table at my husband's Christmas party last night. Country song, country song, horrible line dance song, country song - boom: AC/DC! Now, I love me some AC/DC, but I am honestly so sick of "You Shook Me All Night Long..." I was just wishing for something a little different, you know? My favorite AC/DC song is "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)." Someone in the comments mentioned loving the holiday tune "Mistress for Christmas." That would have sufficed as well! Oh well, I'm just glad Def Leppard eventually made it into the rotation. The DJ was taking requests, but I'm pretty sure if I asked for Steel Panther or Kix, I would have gotten nothing more than a confused look. #TheStruggleIsReal
