The Rods Featuring Ronnie James Dio, 'The Code'

Who here has the new Rods album featuring Ronnie James Dio? The Rods have a longstanding Dio connection, going all the way back to the Elf days. The Rods began releasing albums in the early 1980s and eventually broke-up. Well, a couple years back they reunited and guess what? Ronnie James Dio recorded with them!

"The Code" is apparently the last song recorded by the great Dio. It is featured on the Rods album Vengeance and was released by Niji records... a label owned by Ronnie James Dio's wife, Wendy.

I like "The Code" a lot - it is heavy and that is a good thing.

Heads Up, Vinyl Lovers: Cinderella to Release Double Live LP

Yeah, you read that headline correctly: our beloved Cinderella will release a vinyl version of their 2009 release Live At the Mohegan Sun.

The vinyl version will be released September 11 via Bologna Rock City (September 12 in Europe).

According to my memory -- so I could be wrong -- the show were recorded as part of the 2005 "Rock Never Stops" tour.

The special edition double-live LP will be released as a gatefold. There will only be 500 copies available, and each will be hand numbered. I plan on ordering a copy if the price is right -- I still love my records!

Here's the track listing:

Night Songs
The Last Mile
Somebody Save Me
Heartbreak Station
Coming Home  
Shelter Me
Nobody's Fool
Gypsy Road
Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
Shake Me
Fallin' Apart At The Seams
Push Push
Still Climbing

And for today's blast from the past... Cinderella performing "Push, Push" in 1986

Who Is Going to High Voltage 2011?

Admit it: you want to go to High Voltage next month in the UK. The fest is July 23 and 24 in Victoria Park, London. Judas Priest and Dream Theater will headline and other bands on the bill are Thin Lizzy, Slash (with Myles Kennedy), Jethro Tull... and my new obsession, Rival Sons.

I have "attend a European festival" on my bucket list. Maybe someday High Voltage will be that fest. If you live in the UK or are lucky enough to be traveling there next month, tickets are still available as are VIP packages.

If you plan on attending, drop me a comment. I'd love a review of the show!

James Durbin Does Skid Row Much Justice

Yahoo! Music recently interviewed James Durbin. During the interview, Durbin busted out a little of the Skid Row classics "18 and Life" and "I Remember You." The clip definitely left me wanting more - Durbin definitely did the Skids justice.

I sincerely hope James Durbin digs in his feet and stays firm to his rock roots -- and that the American Idol handlers don't force a weird pop record on him. Not so long ago, James tweeted that he wanted to make a record that sounds just like Hardcore Superstar! I hope it happens. Watch.

My Big Political Statement Regarding Ticket Prices

Tonight, Motley Crue and Poison are playing in Cincinnati, about an hour from my house. I am not attending.

This may shock some of you. I was on the fence about the show for many months and not so long ago I decided I wouldn't go as a means of protest. The ticket prices are high and I've seen Motley and Poison many times before. I decided that I could continually keep writing about high ticket prices, then just pay up... or I could complain about ticket prices and protest with my wallet. I know not buying a ticket for me and my husband isn't going to rock the concert industry or hurt the bottom lines of either Motley or Poison. But that's not the point. The point is that I am now forcing myself to be more self-aware of the cost -- and every show I'm intentionally skipping will mean just that much more in the long run.

If more people voted with their wallets, the price of concert tickets would come down. A product is only worth what the market will pay. If everyone starts refusing to plunk down a hundred bucks a ticket, guess what: suddenly we're seeing shows for $50. In addition to skipping Motley/Poison, I'm also intentionally skipping Def Leppard/Heart. I work a lot and I'm just sick of being fleeced of my very hard earned cash -- especially when the set lists never change and the bands don't even seem to care about putting out a fresh show.

Thoughts?

Have You Seen Rob Zombie's Woolite Commercial?

So we all know Rob Zombie isn't Glam. But he is pretty important to the metal world. And he's important to the film world, too. He primarily makes horror films, but recently he directed a commercial for... Woolite. You know, the detergent. I have no idea idea why detergent has gone metal lately (remember I recently posted the Gain ad that features a Warrant tune), but I think it's cool. Anytime you get metal music - or even just metal-like images on television - that's a good thing, right?

At any rate, the commercial is downright odd, but I guess it gets the point across: Woolite won't destroy your clothes. No word if this commercial will air in America, so check it out below. It's fascinating on so many levels.

Random: Who Remembers Boulevard?

Here's a blast from the past: Boulevard! Remember them? The Canadian band formed around 1983 and only released a couple of records. Well, last night I was reminded of their record Into the Street.

When I had Into the Street playing, the Glam husband looked up from his computer and said "Is that Danger Danger?" and he looked generally confused. I said no, told him the band and then thought for a minute that he did have a point. Boulevard does sound a bit like Danger Danger mixed in with Richard Marx.

Everyone knows I'm much more into straight Glam or heavier bands, but once in awhile I have an appetite for AOR. Boulevard is good, honest AOR.

"Need You Tonight"

"Far From Over"