What Does It Mean to Be An Average Bar Band?

Yesterday, I was in the car with my husband when Faster Pussycat, "Poison Ivy" came on Hair Nation. The husband gave me one of those sideways glances that meant "ridiculous."

"They would never make it today," said the husband. "To me, Faster has always seemed like your average bar band."

After I explained the whole time/place/luck/connections scenario that got Faster to a major label in the 80s, I stopped and thought for a moment about what the husband had said.

It dawned on me that I have no idea what an "average bar band" even sounds like. Does that mean a cover band? There are some pretty decent ones where I live. At least, anytime I've been in a bar for a show, the bands haven't been too terrible. Because that is what we're talking about, right? Terrible...or just slightly above average?

I feel like if you get to the point as a musician where you are good enough to play live and earn money for your show, you must not suck too bad. All the cover bands around Dayton I've seen get paid. Sure, said cover bands don't sound like Van Halen...then again, they don't really claim to - or at least most of them don't. 

I suspect the husband forgets that just about every band that has ever made it came up through the bar/cover circuit. So while I might not be hearing the next Aerosmith on a random Wednesday at the corner bar, that doesn't mean you're not in your city, right?

That said, I'm still plagued by the question..."what is an average bar band?" I think it has to do with more than music. Surely no one thought David Lee Roth was necessarily average when Van Halen was getting started. He might not be the best singer in the world, but he is a show man. Even some of the finalists on American Idol over the years haven't been the best singers ever but they've survived elimination rounds because of stage presence. It's a whole package after all.

So while I disagree with the husband on where Faster Pussycat is concerned, I suppose he does have a valid point in arguing that, if FP was a new band today, they probably wouldn't be huge. That's just a sign of the times and the current music industry. Talent seems secondary anymore. That said, I hope all the up and coming "average" bar bands keep playing...otherwise we won't ever have any new music to enjoy...and some act has to become the next AC/DC, right?

SongVest To Auction Rights To Stryper Song 'Together As One'

You may recall I've written about SongVest in the past. I think the concept of artists auctioning song royalties in exchange for up front capital is brilliant. This time, SongVest has a new auction surrounding Stryper. Here is the information:

Raleigh, NC – Feb 26, 2011 – SongVest, the company that reinvented the music memorabilia business by offering the ultimate fan collectible -- the songs themselves -- has announced their next major online auction will take place Mar 26 – Apr 2 at songvest.com and will include “Together As One,” a classic ballad that has sold over 1 Million copies from Christian hard rock icons Stryper.

After recently partnering to sell 50% of “GOD,” Stryper singer and songwriter Michael Sweet has again joined with SongVest to offer fans, collectors, and investors two unique packages to bid on:

Platinum Edition (2 Lots):
•    5% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
•    Exclusive dinner with Michael and his wife Lisa in Boston (Travel and accommodations paid for by purchaser)
•    Personalized, one-of-kind RIAA Certified Gold album award with handwritten lyrics and signed CD
Gold Edition (10 Lots):
•    1% of Michael Sweet’s Writer’s Share of the song’s royalties
•    Gold CD single award signed by Michael and hand writer lyrics

“Because the Mastering Session for “GOD” was such a unique experience for the fans that participated, we decided to continue that type of experience by offering fans the opportunity to come have dinner with Lisa and Michael in Boston,” said SongVest President Sean Peace.  Fans have some flexibility around the dinner and could even make it more special by renewing their vows or something similar.

The auction will end at 3PM EST on Saturday, April 2. Fans can register now and go behind the scenes with Michael to learn how and why the song was written.

Since 2007, SongVest has offered music fans, collectors, and investors the unique opportunity to share the royalties with the writers of their favorite music. Past auctions have included the rights to songs recorded by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Ringo Starr, Ozzy Osbourne, and The Monkees.



Hurtsmile Debut Video for 'Just War Theory'

The other day I spoke with Gary Cherone about his new project Hurtsmile. I knew I had to write the video premiere for Noisecreep earlier this week and I wanted to post here as well. I really like the song and the video is cool.

Gary told me how the band ended up choosing "Just War Theory" as their first single, saying "Usually there are two or three songs that rise above the other ones, and 'Just War Theory' is one of them. A first video ... you wouldn't pick something slow or mid-tempo so you rule those out. It's as good as two or three other tracks. It represents the band. [It is] pretty aggressive, very rock 'n' roll and has a good lead in it. We just wanna make a splash with this first video."

If you are attending M3 Rock Fest in Maryland this May then you probably know Hurtsmile is on the bill. I asked Gary what time his band would play the side stage and he wasn't sure. He told me they were told they didn't need lights, so they will definitely be during the day. I'm really looking forward to their set.

The Makers of Gain Detergent Think Warrant is Gooder

Ah, remember the classic Warrant years when Jani Lane was still fronting the band, they sounded awesome and their songs soared up the Billboard chart? The modern Warrant isn't quite as fortunate and, as you know, Jani isn't in the band anymore. While the current version of Warrant features the very awesome Robert Mason on vocals, there's just no denying the classic hits.

"Heaven" is probably Warrant's biggest and most recognizable song next to "Cherry Pie." Now, we've been having a lot of discussions recently about our bands and modern commercials. Madison Avenue sure must have a lot of Glam fans because those marketers do know what songs to pick to evoke emotion. And, I have to admit, I think it's cool when I hear a Glam song on TV - that means one of our faves is getting a payday! Thus, I think it is both cool and funny that Gain detergent is using Warrant's "Heaven" in a new ad campaign. Check it out and happy Friday.

You Know What? The Rival Sons Rock!

The Rival Sons are going on Shiprocked in November. They are a hybrid of southern rock and a Led Zeppelin-type flavor.

I'll be honest, I am skeptical of new bands these days. Like, a band needs to bring it for me to be impressed, and I think that is fair. So, I gave Rival Sons a shot, clicking around on YouTube a bit and I liked what I heard.

When I say the Rival Sons are new...I mean it. The band didn't form until 2008. The band has an EP called Before the Fire and a new, self-titled EP that came out last week. That self-titled EP is so impressive, I swear it is like listening to classic rock or something. Even better, the EP is like six bucks. So, give them a listen and let me know what you think.

Hurtsmile - 'Stillborn' and More

I'm interviewing Gary Cherone of Extreme and Hurtsmile tonight. The focus of the interview is Hurtsmile. I'm planning on asking Gary all about recording the new album and his upcoming gig at M3 rock fest this May. If you don't know about Hurtsmile, here's a press release and I also posted a video below. If you have any questions for Gary, feel free to leave them in the comments section.

(New York, NY) - Frontman extraordinaire Gary Cherone (Extreme/Van Halen) is proud to announce his latest project, Hurtsmile. The band’s self-titled debut will be released in North American on February 15th via the Italian-based Frontiers Records label and features Cherone collaborating with his brother, guitarist Mark Cherone.

Gary Cherone commented, Hurtsmile was a long time coming."I always wanted to write a record with my brother. I'm a big fan of Mark’s songwriting and snarling guitar riffs." The timing was right as Extreme was in-between their touring and record cycle, allowing Gary the freedom to start a new artistic venture. Joe Pessia was recruited for bass; Pessia is an alumnus of (Extreme guiatrist) Nuno Bettencourt’s Dramagods, as well as the guitar player for Tantric. Pessia also engineered and co-produced the record with Cherone. To round off the lineup they enlisted heavy-hitter Dana Spellman on drums. "It’s an east coast-Boston thing," states Gary. "Mark was in a band with Nuno’s brother," Joe was in Nuno’s band and Dana was a friend and student of Mike Mangini (former Extreme drummer). "we like to keep it in the family."

The lineup is not the only thing familiar about the band. In true Cherone-family fashion, the record is chock-full of swaggering guitars, soaring vocals and trademark eclecticism. HURTSMILE is a conceptually-cohesive album examining the nature of man and the human heart, with an added focus on the current state of world affairs and political commentary. Hurtsmile is Gary Cherone (vocals), Mark Cherone (guitars), Joe Pessia (bass, mandolin) and Dana Spellman (drums, percussion).

HURTSMILE track listing:

1. Just War Theory
2. Stillborn
3. Love Thy Neighbor
4. Kaffur (Infidel)
5. Painter Paint
6. Tolerance Song (Edit)
7. Set Me Free
8. Jesus Would You Meet Me
9. Slave
10. Beyond The Garden/Kicking The Goads
11. Just War Reprise
12. The Murder Of Daniel Faulkner (4699)

Buckcherry, Lynam, Sevendust and More Confirmed for Shiprocked 2011

The first bands for Shiprocked 2011 have been announced. The bands so far are Buckcherry, Hinder, Hellyeah, Sevendust, In This Moment, Lynam, Broken Teeth and Rival Sons. The cruise ports out of Ft. Lauderdale and will go to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. The festival is November 14-19.

Here's the press release:

Ft Lauderdale, FL – February 21, 2011 – The retro styling of LA’s multi-platinum Buckcherry and their string of hard-rocking anthems and power ballads lead the way for this year’s ShipRocked 2011. The Music and Life-style cruise sets sail November 14-19, 2011 heading for the tip of Mexico and its popular stretch of gorgeous Caribbean water known for scuba diving, shopping and bars aplenty. Buckcherry headlines along with fellow rockers Oklahoma’s Hinder (“Lips Of An Angel”,” Use Me”), metal titans Hellyeah! featuring members of Mudvayne and the legendary Pantera who bring their stampeding metal groove on-board and SR 2010 alum, Atlanta’s Sevendust, brought back by the demand of prior cruisers – bringing an intensity only matched by 20-foot sea swells, helping solidify a four-pronged trident of rock and roll mayhem.

ASK4 Entertainment’s Alan Koenig promises “ShipRocked 2011 will be five days of wall-to-wall music, giving fans the rare opportunity to listen to and hang out with rock stars on a luxury cruise ship. With the confirmed artists onboard (and additional acts to be announced), there’s enough music for whatever your heart rate can withstand” Main support comes from LA’s In This Moment led by the vocal pyrotechnics of Maria Brink. And we’re happy to have returning late-night favorites Lynam, as well as the inescapable Texas thunder of Broken Teeth led by the affable Jason McMaster, and new sensation Rival Sons and their brand of 70’s style guitar groove.

The setting is the MSC Poesia (Italy) one of the cruise industry’s most acclaimed new super cruise ships. It all begins in Fort Lauderdale, FL, visiting the premier Mexican ports of Costa Maya and Cozumel. Exuding her Italian roots, the Poesia features include the luxurious Aqua Spa, two pools, four Jacuzzis, a state-of-the-art cardio gym, salon, sushi bar, wine tasting bar, the Teatro Carlo Felice, a beautiful, 3-level, Las Vegas-style theater, and additional stages for ShipRocked bands and passengers to enjoy all night long!

Prices start at only $799 per person, based on double occupancy, and include exclusive access to all ShipRocked concerts and special events, deluxe stateroom, meals, ship activities, ship entertainment and much, much more! Space is limited so early booking is encouraged to guarantee your cabin. General on-sale begins on Monday, February 28, 2011.

Tickets for ShipRocked 2011 are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and are only available at www.GetShipRocked.com or by calling 1-888-438-9509.