Drive, She Said recently released a new album called Dreams Will Come (via Metal Heaven). I always put them more in the AOR category but last night, I came across a few websites where people were throwing the New York band into the Glam category. Of course, that often happens when a band has long hair and was from the mid-80s to early nineties.
In fact, Drive, She Said released their self-titled debut in 1989. The band is lead by Mark Mangold and Al Fritsch, the former being a big time songwriter. I actually didn't know the band even had a new record until I started clicking around online last night. I don't even remember what it was that made me think of Drive, She Said but off I went, on a virtual wild goose chase for information on the quasi-obscure band. I say "quasi" because Drive, She Said has released something like six albums. Still, I'd argue they are not a household name.
Back to the original question at hand: Glam or not? For those wondering, the band is still active live. They played Firefest last year. I guess it doesn't matter if they are Glam or not - you like what you like of course. Still, I'm putting Drive, She Said in the AOR category. Also, I think their name did not help them - not great from a marketing perspective, but I digress.
Remember Kiss of the Gypsy? The English band released its self-titled debut in 1992 via Atlantic and made a video for the single "Whatever It Takes." By the debut date you should be able to decode that the band didn't have much chance of lasting very long.
Does anyone own Kiss of the Gypsy? There are a few copies on eBay that are reasonably priced so I need to get on that I guess. Here's "Whatever It Takes."
If that tune didn't do it for you, try this one: "Promised Land." Just listen.
Still not convinced? Try this ballad on for size: "Take This Old Heart."
I'm really excited over this obscure find and I think you will be too. Kiss of the Gypsy rules. Too bad they only did one album.
I was in the car with the Glam husband last night and we were listening to Hair Nation on the satellite as per usual. Well, “32 Pennies” came on and I wasn't paying much attention...
“This is the worst song ever,” says the Glam husband.
My reply was “Huh? Oh, '32 Pennies.'”
From that moment on I've had the damn chorus “Ooo ooo!” going through my head.
Walking around Lowes, “Ooo ooo!” to taking a shower “Ooo ooo!” to cleaning “Ooo ooo!”
I finally had to sit down and just listen to the song a few times to get over it. I disagree with the Glam husband. I certainly don't think “32 Pennies” is the worst song ever. Of course, I'm pretty sure he meant “'32 Pennies' is Warrant's worst song.” And, maybe it is. After all, it's no “Uncle Tom's Cabin.”
Have a Happy Fourth of July, dear readers. “Ooo ooo!”
Have you heard Shinedown's new tune, "Diamond Eyes (boom-lay boom-lay boom)?" I love it. The song was written and recorded for the movie The Expendables due in theaters next month. You can buy the track now through Shinedown's iTunes page. Check out the song:
Here's the theatrical trailer for The Expendables. I know nothing about films as I rarely go to the movies, but I am guessing this will be a summer blockbuster.
The Rock N America festival has announced its full lineup. Rock N America is being held on July 23-25 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Zoo Amphitheatre. Tickets for the event can be pruchased at www.rocknamerica.com. $5 from every Single Day Friday ticket sold will go to benefit Cancer Research in the name of Ronnie James Dio.
Friday's Lineup consists of the following bands in no particular order: Twisted Sister, Great White, Faster Pussycat, Bullet Boys, Trixter, Axe and Toxin. On the Festival Stage see Dirty Penny, The Glitter Boys, Gods of Pain, Bad Things, Pretty Little Suicide and more.
Saturday's Lineup consists of the following bands: Scorpions, Cinderella, Michael Schenker Group, Firehouse, Steelheart, L.A. Guns featuring Tracii Guns, Pretty Boy Floyd, John Corabi and Baton Rouge. Bands on the Festival Stage consists of Better than Ever, Down N Dirty, Dagger, Axeticy, Rising Wind and Gods of Pain.
Sunday's Lineup consists of RATT, Dokken, Lita Ford, Lizzy Borden, Warrant, Slaughter, Lynch Mob, Enuff Z' Nuff, Dirty Penny, Texas Hippie Coalition and Lillian Axe. Bands on the Festival Stage is Bad Things, Pretty Little Suicide, Moto Christ, Star City Meltdown and Better than Ever.
[Set times announced soon. When those are released, I will post an update].
Sometimes, you hear or read stories that just seem a little to absurd to be true. You hear the same tale told time and time again, and it seems as if it is more folklore than fact.
For years, I have read various people online state that "Poison stole their stage show from Kix." To be honest, I never quite believed it, but the story was that Poison used to open for Kix before relocating to Los Angeles, and that when they moved, they essentially incorporated the Kix stage show into their own. It seemed a little bit too much of a stretch for me. I mean, a stage show is a stage show, as far as I was concerned, and I just thought that some bands put more energy into their shows than others. But then something happened last month...I saw Kix live.
I had never seen Kix live before, but they were on the M3 bill, and based upon all the hype I had heard about their live performances, I made sure I was in my seat when they started. I was amazed at what I saw! From the choreographed moves placed perfectly into the songs, to the funky walk that Steve Whiteman does across the stage, to the confetti-filled balloons at the end of the show... I felt like I was watching the "I Want Action" video, but with a different song playing! The resemblance was uncanny and it really made me wonder if the stories I have read over the past few years were just stories... or if there was some fact behind them.
I cannot expressly say this is true, but would it shock anyone to think that the guys in Poison are not 100% creative geniuses? I do give Poison credit, as they are (and were) extremely hard workers and they do put on a great show. Poison made it big and they continue to force some form of relevance in today's changed music scene. That said, I cannot get the recurring thought out of my head, "Did Poison become successful musicians based upon someone else's tried and tested stage show?"
Do any readers know more about this, or have I just been too influenced on random online posts by misinformed people? Help a brother out and leave a comment.
Whitesnake wine is here, people. I guess it's cool now for our Glam heroes to get into the booze business. After all, both Vince Neil and Sammy Hagar have their tequila interests...so why not Whitesnake?
I'm not a wine drinker. Actually, I can't drink wine because I'm so prone to migraines and wine is a known headache trigger. Still, I will probably buy a bottle of the Whitesnake Zinfandel to place on my kitchen counter because I think it's a conversation piece. By the way, the wine is available today here in America. Other parts of the world will have to wait a little longer. Retail is $24.95 a bottle.
Here's hoping Whitesnake is back on the road next year!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 12:01AM 