Help Switchblade Scarlett

Switchblade Scarlett are a legit Glam band... from Ohio no less! They need some cash to make a proper, commercial ready music video for the song "Party Girls" (being made by Kevin Maistros) and for a vinyl pressing of their debut White. Line. Fever. They only need $7 grand to make it happen... and there are prize levels for donations:

Tier 1: Sponsorship

$5 Autographed Thank You note from the band 

$10 Autographed 8x10 official press kit photo from the band

$25 Autographed copy of White. Line. Fever

$50 Autographed vinyl (pending funding) or an autographed tee/CD combo

$100 Gets you all three + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page

$300 gets you all of the Tier One prizes framed in your choice of color anodized frame with tempered glass and matting (deliver in the lower 48 included) + a personalized Thank You video posted on our YouTube page

$500 gets you all of the above + a producer credit on the video and on the record

$1000 Gets you all of the above + a quick "This video brought to you by (company or individual name)" still image at the opening video (limit 3). (Excludes broadcast of the video)

$2500 Gets you a fifteen-second commercial at the beginning of the video (limit 1). (Excludes broadcast of the video)

If you want to donate, click their IndieGogo page.

'WhoCares' - Album Review

Back in the early 90s, I saw a video clip on MTV a few times, of Rock Aid Armenia doing a cover of "Smoke on the Water." I always loved the song, but never had a chance to buy it. Recently, it’s been re-released on CD with four versions, a 2010 remix, the original 1989 mix, the 1989 radio mix, and a superfluous version with Ian Gillan singing all through it. The guitarists include Tony Iommi, Brian May, David Gilmour and Ritchie Blackmore. The song was done to aid Armenia after a particularly bad earthquake.

Now there’s a new charity project, called "WhoCares," featuring Tony Iommi on guitar, Nicko McBrain on drums, Ian Gillan on vocals, Jason Newstead on bass and Jon Lord on keys. They’ve recorded a new song with the express goal of rebuilding a music school that has still not reopened, 20 years after the original disaster.

There’s two songs on this CD, as well as some enhanced video. The first, "Out of My Mind" is co-written by Tony and Ian. It is is quite heavy in a slow, doomy Black Sabbath sort of way. I like this song a lot.

I co-incidentally just got the remaster of Black Sabbath Born Again, and while I wouldn’t say this song sounds like it could be on that album, it’s similar in the sense of a Black Sabbath riff with Ian Gillan singing over it. Unlike the original Born Again, the production on this track is very good.

The second track actually loses the all star cast, only Tony and Ian remain for "Holy Water," a song that certainly starts a lot slower and softer. Apparently the instrument I can hear taking a solo is called a "duduk." I admit to having no idea what that is, but it sounds very middle eastern. After about 90 seconds, the song gets a lot heavier, although it’s still more of a progressive rock song than heavy metal. I had assumed that Tony co-wrote both songs, but as it progressed, I thought "There’s no way Tony wrote this," and I was right, Ian did, with Steve Morris. It’s still a very decent track, just not a Black Sabbath-type one.

So, a bunch of members of well regarded rock bands come together for the benefit of a charity. Perhaps it’s an old story, but the cause is a good one, the tracks are good, and I’d certainly recommend this CD as worthwhile for any fan of Iommi or Gillan at least. I’m not sure it’s essential listening for any Metallica or Maiden fans, but I’d still say it’s worth a look.

Reckless Love vs. Def Leppard

Finnish rockers Reckless Love are bringing back Glam. Yesterday, I was working on another project when I came across their cover of Def Leppard's "Hysteria." Now, anyone who knows me, knows I love "Hysteria." When I came across the Reckless Love cover I was both excited and nervous. I must admit, I'm on the fence about the whole thing. I just don't think anything can come near Def Lep's tune. You decide.

Reckless Love "Hysteria"

Def Leppard "Hysteria"

I'm So Excited for the New Rival Sons Album

The Rival Sons will release Pressure & Time later this month - June 28 to be exact (you can pre-order from the band's website). I swear, these guys prove rock is far from dead! I know the Rival Sons don't like to be compared to Led Zeppelin - but I can't help it. Their songs are so epically... classic it's almost too much for me to bear! I was trying to hold out until the 28th so I could review the album, but I just couldn't wait. The first single from the new album is the title track, "Pressure & Time."

The Rival Sons have a couple tour dates booked and will also play the ShipRocked cruise this November. Seriously - keep an eye on these guys.

Who Is Seeing Judas Priest on the Epitaph Tour?

Judas Priest just kicked off the Epitaph tour in Europe. They will make it to South America and eventually the U.S. in the fall.

Like any good fan, I went poking around YouTube for clips to check out the set and stage setup. The band looks and sounds pretty good. I found some really high quality clips shot Saturday night at the Sauna Open Air Festival in Tampere, Finland. Check it out and let me know if you plan on catching the band on this "farewell" tour.

Escape the Fate: Glam or Not?

Escape the Fate sure look Glam... but are they? I must admit, I'm not a rabid fan of the band but my husband loves them, and he keeps walking around the house muttering their songs. The other day, he was watching their video for "Issues" and I stopped and looked over his shoulder. The video reminded me of something Motley Crue would make these days. And the drummer definitely looks like he wants to be Slash. I have to give them props, "Issues' is catchy. They played Rock on the Range last month and drew a massive crowd over at the F.Y.E. side stage, so people love 'em.

Oh, and did I bury the lede? Back when Escape the Fate had a different singer, they sort of re-did Van Halen's classic "Hot For Teacher" video. The Escape the Fate song used in the video is "Situations." Watching the Van Halen and Escape the Fate videos back to back is pretty cool.

KIX to Open for Whitesnake

The title says it all: Kix will provide direct support for Whitesnake this summer at three Oklahoma dates.

Here are the shows:

8/4 First Council Casino with Whitesnake, Newkirk, OK

8/5 Lucky Star Casino with Whitesnake, Concho, OK

8/6 Choctaw Casino with Whitesnake, Durant, OK

This is exciting because it means KIX are continuing to book shows out of the Maryland area. Of course, I think KIX should headline. They were way better than Whitesnake at M3 this year and I suspect that to be the case in Oklahoma. There's just no competing with the energy that KIX bring to the stage and Whitesnake is using too much filler these days (yes, that means solos).

I wish I could go!