Papa Roach Offers Free Download

Papa Roach has a video for their new single "Kick in the Teeth." If you click past the video below, you can download a copy of the song legally (for free).

Iron Maiden: Three Shows, One Review

Editor’s note: When I found out our very own Christian had tickets to three Iron Maiden shows in the same week, I just had to ask him to write about his experience. Here’s what he had to say of Maiden’s tour of Texas. - Allyson

OK, let’s get this out of the way first: Iron Maiden played almost all songs from the last three albums, and will do so for all of this tour. If you have tickets and expect the set list from the last tour, then you’re going to be disappointed.

I’ve been an Iron Maiden fan since 1981, but I only saw them for the first time in Toronto on the A Matter of Life or Death tour (the one where they played the whole new album and a few songs at the end). I was at the barrier for Somewhere Back in Time (I am on the full concert disc section of Flight 666, in "2 Minutes to Midnight"). So, when I found out that the world tour for 2010 was starting in Dallas, I knew I had to fly over from Australia to be there. I saw the first three shows of the tour: Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, so what follows is a review of all three shows. I won First to the Barrier for Dallas, which was even better. The staff at Superpages.com centre had no idea what was going on, so, following their directions, I ended up missing the line and thus being the last FTTB person admitted. I run pretty fast though, so I secured a spot right in front of Adrian and Dave. I’d seen the merch, which included images from the last three albums, and we could see a set list from where I was, so I had a fair idea what was coming before it started. I’ve always loved "The Wicker Man" and had guessed they may start with it, and they did. It’s a great, high energy song to start a concert with. From there, the set ran through songs like "Ghost of the Navigator," "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns," "Paschendale,""Blood Brothers," "No More Lies" and more.

As new song followed new song, I’m told that further back, the crowd got restless, and some people even walked out. I’ve read posts in the fan club of people saying they’d never see Maiden live again. I suspect that the SBIT tour has given people so much of what they want that they expect it to stay that way. I also suspect a lot of people couldn’t see Maiden on that tour, which only did a few US cities, but saw the DVD and decided to go next time. However, where I was, at the front, a lot of people were singing along to the new songs. I wasn’t as "Wicker Man" was the only new song I knew well. Some of the songs they’ve chosen are not really that strong (everyone I’ve seen discuss it, singles out "Wildest Dreams" as a poor choice, for example ).

In Houston they swapped out "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" for "Wrathchild" and "Paschendale"for "Dance of Death." There was speculation that this was because Adrian messed up the intro to "Paschendale" on the first night, but given that the band uses the big backdrops for each song, it was obvious they came prepared to do these extra songs. I think "Wrathchild" is not a strong choice, but that the set list needed a song people know earlier on, and both nights I saw them do it, the crowd visibly got animated when it started. In San Antonio they did "Wrathchild" and "Paschendale," and Adrian played it fine.

Dave tends to throw out a lot of picks, and all four people in a row including me, got one. The guy next to me, caught two, AND a Dave wrist band. The girl next to me caught an Adrian wrist band. I’m not sure I see the point, I mean, Bruce threw out his Maiden beanie and it left a TRAIL of sweat over the crowd as it flew out. I love Maiden, I’m not sure I want something soaked in their sweat, though. What is the etiquette here, do you wash it, or keep it as it is?

Once the new songs were done, Maiden move in to the ‘classic’ songs that never seem to leave their set. First was "Fear of the Dark," then "Iron Maiden" to close the first set. I think that "Fear of the Dark" is a good song, but a little played out. "Iron Maiden" is not even a great song, but I see why they do it. The Eddie who walks out during this tour looks like the graphic currently on the Iron Maiden site to promote the new song, "El Dorado." It looks more like the Predator than an Eddie, which is a little sad, I think. He fights with Janick, then comes over, is handed a guitar, and pretends to play it before walking off.

Of course, there is an encore. Previous shows I’ve seen had two Eddies, one that walks on during "Iron Maiden" and one that ‘unfolds’ during the last song. This time, the first encore song is "Number of the Beast" and it’s the devil that appears in a corner and looks back and forth. NotB is another song that I think they could drop, if they are playing a set list designed for hardcore fans, they should be replacing these perennials with songs like "22 Acacia Avenue," "Children of the Damned," "Flight of Icarus" or "Revelations." "Hallowed be Thy Name" was next, and the last song was "Running Free" during which Bruce puts on a policeman’s helmet and does a "Hello, hello, what have we here" routine, ending in the obligatory sing along. When the band left the stage, the lights stayed off long enough that I thought they may come out again, but then they came up, and we walked out to the tune of "Always look on the bright side of life."

A couple of things I will mention: one thing I love about Maiden is that Bruce actually talks to the crowd: it’s not scripted. In this case, over the three nights, he was pretty worked up about the US/England soccer game that was coming up (and ended up being a draw). I am not sure at this stage if they are going to alternate the set list to give something extra to the many fans who will do more than one show, or if they were just experimenting before settling on the set list I saw in San Antonio. I suspect the latter, although I think the former would be a cool idea. I am willing to admit that I would have preferred more classic songs, or at least, more obscure classic songs. I also think that at least a couple of the songs they ARE doing are not very strong Maiden songs. But, I really enjoyed hearing some more obscure songs, hearing a very different set list to the last tour, and getting another chance to consider songs that frankly I bought, listened to twice, and put on the shelf. I buy so many CDs nowadays that it’s rare for one to really ‘stick’, there’s always something new to hear. Maybe that’s one reason the old albums are so ingrained, I’ve not just had longer to listen, but back then, to buy a record was a big deal, you saved up, and chose carefully. The best song of the lot is the new one, "El Dorado," in my opinion, which means I’m excited for the album release, but "Benjamin Breeg," "Paschendale," "No More Lies," "These Colors Don’t Run" are all songs from the recent albums that I had disregarded and that have been running through my head these past few days. I am still in the US, getting ready for M3 this weekend, but when I get home, before I listen to CDs that came while I was away, I’ll be listening to those three albums again and, I am sure, appreciating them more now that I’ve heard some of the songs live.

Aerosmith: Lawn or Nothing?

Anyone that really knows me can attest that Aerosmith is my favorite band. When Aerosmith announced a summer tour with Sammy Hagar, I was ecstatic! Two awesome acts on one bill. What a great night it will be! Even better, the tour is stopping in Cincinnati, Ohio meaning the drive won't be too heinous during the work week *and* my stop happens to be in early September so temperatures should be perfect for some outdoor fun.

After the initial excitement of the announcement wears off, I always trot on over to Ticketmaster to check on prices. Aerosmith always has high ticket prices, but man. With fees, this tour is averaging something like $50 or $60 for the lawn! At a major shed - such as Riverbend in Cincinnati - it's nearly impossible to see anything on the lawn. Spending $60 a head to just be in the vicinity of my favorite band is a bit much. Don't even get me started on the pavilion prices.

So now I don't know what to do. I can't pass up seeing Aerosmith and Hagar. After all, I'm terrified this will be Aerosmith's last tour. Still, spending $120 bucks to stand on the lawn with my husband isn't ideal. I hate the thought of spending $400 for pavilion for the both of us. The older I get, the more it pains me to spend money frivolously. Five years ago I would have shucked over the $400 without a care. Now I think about how much $400 a month will grow when invested in an aggressive stock plan.

When I interviewed Joe Litvag, a senior VP with AEG Live about Rocklahoma earlier this year, we chatted a little about ticket prices. Basically, Litvag agrees that ticket prices are high but defended the prices because 1) the band basically sets them (he said) and 2) the market can bear it. Which is true. I'm sure the pavilion for Aerosmith/Hagar at Riverbend will sell out, meaning thousands of people have no problem dropping $200 each for a ticket. I would mind less if I was paying the actual sticker price for a close seat (around $155) but a million bogus fees really sours it for me. Why should both my husband and I each have to pay a mandatory $3.50 charge for parking - when we will be in the same car?!

So now, after writing all this, I'm back at the basic conundrum: do I buy lawn and be happy I'm there or suck it up and go pavilion? My gut is telling me to wait until day of show and just see if any seats are discounted because that does happen from time to time. I can always grab a lawn ticket at the gate I suppose.

Do you plan on seeing the Aerosmith/Hagar summer tour?

Follow me on Twitter @bringbackglam

M3 2010 Set Times Announced

From the promoters of M3 Rock Fest:

The full festival will feature 2 stages, over 14 bands and a "Freak Stage" featuring Fire Performers, Belly Dancers and Circus Sideshow Acts! The show is this Saturday at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. I'll be there and you can follow me on Twitter @bringbackglam for updates.

Set Time are as follows:

Pavilion Stage

11:20 - 11:50 - Dingle Dynasty

12:00 - 12:35 - Jetboy

1:05 - 1:45 - Trixter

2:15 - 3:00 - LA Guns

3:30 - 4:15 - Winger

4:40 - 5:40 - Kix

6:15 - 7:15 - Vince Neil

7:40 - 8:40 - Cinderella

9:30 - 10:55 - Scorpions

Festival Stage

12:35 - 1:05 - Z02

1:45 - 2:15 - Black Mambooza

3:00 - 3:30 - Mass

4:15 - 4:40 - Bang Tango

5:40 - 6:15 - Dizzy Reed

7:00 - 7:40 - Nelson

8:40 - 9:25 - Warrant

Gates will open promptly at 11:00 AM!

Lizzy Borden Rocks Small Crowd

Back on May 30, 2010, I finally had an opportunity to see one of my favorite artists from the 80s: the incomparable Lizzy Borden. Lizzy and Co. played a show at Club Hell in Providence, Rhode Island and the performance the band delivered was worth the wait. The songs, the musicianship and the stage show all impressed, and I left tired (at 2:00 a.m. with an 1.5 hour drive home ahead of me) but happy that I made the trip down for the show.

The show itself was poorly attended, probably due to the fact that it was on a Sunday night during a holiday weekend. At the most, I would say there were 100 people present for Lizzy's performance. However, what impressed me most about the band was their level of professionalism.

I play in a local band, and over the past few years, have played to my fair share of empty rooms and I can say firsthand that it is tough for the band to keep the energy up when the crowd is thin. I am certainly guilty of "phoning it in" on nights like these. Despite the fact that the club was not even 1/4 full, Lizzy and crew put full effort into their set.  The show was not compromised in the least, as we got the costumes, theatrics, blood and scantily clad "victims." Basically, it was an over-the-top show that met all expectations that I had walking in the door that night.

Perhaps this is the reason why Lizzy Borden is a national recording act and I am just in a local band (and it may have something to do with the difference in levels of talent as well...), but nonetheless, I give all of the credit in the world to that band and know that if I ever have the opportunity to see them live again, there is not a chance that I would miss that show.

Dirty Penny Added to Rock n' America

Heck yes! Dirty Penny was just added to the ever-growing Rock n' America bill. The announcement was made on the festival's Facebook page accompanied with the promise of "even more bands." (The Myspace page of the band Axe also lists Rock 'n America although they haven't been officially announced yet).

Rock n' America is scheduled for July 23-25 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Three-day passes and VIP tickets are still available. There's also an official hotel package.

The last time I counted, around 27 bands had been announced for the festival including RATT, the Scorpions, Cinderella and Twisted Sister. The festival website promises 30 bands, so I'd assume the bill is nearly complete...as it should be. After all, the event is next month! (Where does the time go?!)

I think Dirty Penny is a great addition - they bring in the younger element of Glam to the event. There will be multiple stages and right now, no band splits have been announced.

Here's a performance and interview I found online featuring Dirty Penny.

My First ‘Metal’ Memory

Back in the day, MTV used to do a daily top ten show of videos at about the 5:00 hour, Monday through Friday. The videos were chosen by votes called in from viewers earlier in the day. I am sure most of the readers of this site remember those days, and probably even remember what the show was called. Odds are it was hosted by Adam Curry too!

I remember watching the videos one day with my older sister, who was already a fan of the Glam metal scene, and the RATT "I Want A Woman" video came on. I can still remember watching the video in awe of the band: the music, the stage show, everything. Then, at one point in the video, the camera cuts to a couple of girls holding up a homemade banner that read "Eat me, I’m cheese." My sister started laughing, but I didn’t get the joke. I asked her, "Is it because they are called RATT, and the sign says that they are cheese?" Her response was simply, "Someday you’ll get it."

Of course, eventually I got the joke, and to be honest, I still think it is funny as hell. I know RATT gets a lot of grief from fans about the Reach for the Sky and Detonator eras, but personally, those are my favorite albums by the band. Both of those albums take me back to the time when I first really discovered the music that, many years later, I still cannot stop listening to. Great stuff.