What the Olympic Opening Ceremony Really Needs...

Did you watch the opening ceremony to the Olympics last night? The massive production cost just over 30 million bucks I believe and was a tribute to Canada's heritage and aboriginal people. The ceremony was ok - some cool special effects but really I think it's all a giant waste of money. Wouldn't it be better to parade all the participating nations in, have a giant concert sort of like the Super Bowl, light the torch and be on with it?

If I was planning an Olympics opening ceremony, that's the route I would go. I don't think the host country needs to go into mass hock to do a good show. I'm just not sure which bands I'd choose for my opening concert. I know one thing, though: there would be no lip synching! All the performers during the opening ceremonies faked the lyrics, making me crazy!

So who would be good for an Olympics concert? The bands would need to appeal to everyone and diverse age groups and no - they couldn't be all metal. I'm thinking a fair mix of all sorts of music: metal, world, pop, you name it. I guess I'd throw some indie band in too just to make the hipsters happy. Probably the easiest way to choose is to pick the most successful recording artists from the host country and go from there. In that case, I'd start with Rush...who would you add to the bill?

Guns n' Roses to Play Sweden Rock Festival

Just received this press release in my inbox. Now I really wish I had money. Sigh.

One of the biggest rock bands of all time, Guns N' Roses, will bring their "Chinese Democracy World Tour" to Sölvesborg and Sweden Rock Festival in June.

The worldwide tour promotes the band's latest album, Chinese Democracy, which debuted at #1 on the charts in thirteen countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, as well as the European Top 100 Albums survey.

Chinese Democracy was released on Black Frog/Geffen Records in November 2008 and reached 3 times Platinum in Canada, Platinum in Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, UK, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa. The album is Gold in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Holland, Sweden, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil and Colombia. In the U.S., the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009.

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, Chinese Democracy includes 14 tracks.

On this tour, singer/main man Axl Rose is accompanied by long-time keyboardist Dizzy Reed, the latter's fellow ivories tickler Chris Pitman, bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Frank Ferrer and guitarists Richard Fortus, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and DJ Ashba - a musical dream-team and one of the most prestigious SRF-debuts this festival has ever had the pleasure of introducing!

Guns N' Roses last played in Sweden in June 2006, when they sold out the Globe arena in Stockholm.

Sweden Rock Festival is arranged in Sölvesborg in the south of Sweden June 9-12. Tickets are available on the festival's website, www.swedenrock.com.

So Who is Going to the Wildside Reunion?

Later this month, on February 27, Wildside will reunite at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. Even better, Wildside is playing the show with TUFF and Vains of Jenna. But seriously -- Wildside reunited! (In case you don't recall, Wildside released Under the Influence in 1992).

Lead singer Drew Hanna, guitarist Brent Woods, bassist Marc Simon and drummer Jimmy D are in for the reunion. That's four of the five original guys and I think this is very cool. If I was a betting woman, I'd say Wildside will play this year's Rocklahoma. Of course, the fest is adding modern bands, so it's hard to say who will show up.

I generally like living in Ohio - because basically it rules - but the winters suck and this year has already been supremely bad. This means I would literally do anything to be in California at the end of the month to see this show. Just me, the boys in Wildside and swaying palm trees.

I never got to see Wildside live. I've actually never seen TUFF either and they rule, too. I imagine this is going to be one very fun show. Raise your hand if you'll be at the big reunion!

Keep up with glam through your dish cable tv from direct tv at InternetLion.com, where you can get an hd dvr directv with free directv satellite equipment!

MTV Drops 'Music Television' Tag, End of the Glam Era

MTV has a new logo. Basically, the powers-that-be dropped the "music television" tag line. It's about time. Hell, if the network isn't going to play videos, then why be "music television?" At this point they might as well be the "cheap, youth driven reality show" network. But whatever.

MTV execs didn't exactly shout the logo change from the rooftops. They sort of buried the news. I mean, why wouldn't they? Changing of the logo and dropping "music television" just affirms what everyone has said for years and years now. The good news is that with the Internet, there's no reason for bands to spend a ton of cash on videos and then ship them to a network where they'll never get aired. At least with YouTube, bands can scratch together a few thousand bucks, do a video and shove it online and force their own buzz. The days of MTV making or breaking a band are long gone.

I suppose MTV officially changing course really is the end of an era. After all, I'm a member of the MTV generation. The bands we all love and discuss here daily were a huge part of the music network. Video really did kill the radio star. Then again, Internet killed (or birthed, depending on your opinion) the modern rock star.

The question remains: do we even need MTV anymore? I say no. What's the point? I've got a zillion channels thanks to my satellite. I rarely - if ever - watch MTV. It's just not necessary for a music lover anymore. In fact, MTV is about as current as Myspace. Truth.

Festival Talk Continues with Some Moondance Jam News

If you're wondering why I haven't been writing long posts, I have a good reason: I've got pain shooting up and down my arm, making it near impossible to type. Luckily, I get to go to the doctor tomorrow -- and not a moment too soon! Hopefully I'll get some relief and be able to write like normal again. After all, writing is my job and I haven't been able to do much work the past week or so. Sometimes you have to give in to your body's aches and pains.

That said, we might as well stay on the festival train and talk about Moondance Jam. The 19th annual jam is set for July 15-17 in Walker, MN. The lineup isn't set yet, but so far REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buckcherry, Jonny Lang and Don Felder (ex-Eagles) have signed on for the event. There doesn't seem to be an exact pattern to the Moondance announcements - they are happening sporadically.

Tickets are on sale now. General admission and VIP seating is available. So is camping.

Bonnaroo Lineup 2010

Artists are announcing their spot at Bonnaroo during the day. The fest is set for June 10-13 in Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets are on sale today.  It's not exactly my cup of tea, but this is a major U.S. event and definitely BBG! worthy.  Confirmed acts:

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips perform Dark Side of the Moon
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley and Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti & Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
The Disco Biscuits
Daryl Hall and Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Baaba Maal
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
The XX
Gwar
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Deadmau5
The Melvins
Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
OK Go
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Brandi Carlile
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.o.B
Needtobreathe

Rock on the Range 2010 Lineup

The promoters of Rock on the Range just announced the lineup for this year's event. The festival is set for May 22 and 23 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Godsmack
Rob Zombie
Three Days Grace
Limp Bizkit
Rise Against
Seether
Slash
Deftones
Papa Roach
5 Finger Death Punch
Coheed and Cambira
Bullet for My Valentine
Mastodon
Killswitch Engage
Theory of a Deadman
Puddle of Mudd
Sevendust
Drowning Pool
Skillet
Apocalyptica
Halestorm
Airbourne
Mushroomhead
Adelitas Way
Helmet
Escape the Fate
Cold
Anberlin
Nonpoint
2Cents
Violent Soho
Janus
Shaman’s Harvest
Year Long Disaster
Taddy Porter
Like a Storm
Noise Auction

Tickets go on sale Feb. 20 via Ticketmaster.